California high school students Bill and Ted learn that they will not pass their history exam unless they do a paper on "The Modern World Through the Eyes of a Prominent Historical Figure."

Fate brings them together with a representative of the future - Rufus, who travels in a time machine in the form of a telephone booth. Bill and Ted not only travel back in time, but also bring back many historical figures.

The near future. Ben Richards, a hot-tempered man who has been blacklisted by employers, cannot find a job. To cure his sick daughter, he decides to take part in a brutal reality show called "The Running Man," which is widely broadcast across the country. The maximum cash prize will go to whoever can hide for 30 days not only from professional killers, but also from citizens eager to collect the reward.