In the summer of 1963, Flint, Michigan is home to the Watsons, a close-knit "All-American Family" made up of Daniel and Wilona Watson (Harris and Rose) and their three kids, 15-year-old juvenile delinquent Byron (Knight), nerdy 11-year-old Kenny (Jenkins), and adorable 8-year-old Joetta (Jackson). When Byron's antics go over-the-top, his parents realize enough is enough and they decide the family needs a dose of Grandma Sands' (Richardson) no-nonsense approach in Birmingham, Alabama. So the Watsons load up their 1948 Plymouth Brown Bomber outfitted with a true-tone Ultra-Glide turntable and head South with plenty of comedy en route. When they finally get to Birmingham, they meet Grandma Sands and her friend Mr. Robert (Grier), who show them around town, and discover that life is very different there than in Flint--and not necessarily for the better. During that historic summer, the Watsons find themselves caught up in something far bigger than Byron's antics--something that will change their lives and country forever.
The Watsons set out on a family road trip where their experiences give them a newfound courage to stand up for what is right and help them grow stronger as a family in the process.
