Don Pedro and the Hot Messinas return after a roller derby tournament to stay at Leonato’s house. Benedick continues a prickly relationship with Leonato’s niece, Beatrice. Both declare they will never marry. Claudio falls in love with Hero, Leonato’s daughter. Don Pedro agrees to woo Hero for Claudio at a party that night. Don John, "The Bastard," plots with two friends, Borachio and Conrade.
At the party, Claudio is told by Don John that Pedro is wooing Hero for herself, but Claudio soon learns that this is not so. Further antagonism between Beatrice and Benedick leads Pedro and the others to trick them into falling in love with each other.
Leonato, Claudio, and Don Pedro let Benedick overhear them speak of how much Beatrice loves her. Later, Hero and Maria let Beatrice overhear their talk about how much Benedick loves her. Both Benedick and Beatrice find they have feelings for each other, and appear love-struck. Meanwhile, Don John arranges for Borachio to woo Hero’s friend, Margaret. Don John informs Pedro and Claudio that Hero is going to be unfaithful that night. They see Borachio calling Margaret "Hero" and are fooled.
The Watch, led by Dogberry and Verges, go on patrol. Borachio is overheard telling Conrade about the plot, and they are arrested. Dogberry and Verges begin an interrogation, but the time of the wedding arrives before they can reach any conclusions. There, Claudio and Pedro reveal the "truth" about Hero. Don John flees. Leonato harangues Hero, while she protests her innocence. Coach Francis supports her and suggests they pretend she has died until the truth is discovered. Beatrice and Benedick declare their feelings for each other, and Beatrice makes Benedick vow to kill Claudio for shaming Hero.
Leonato and Antonio offer to fight Claudio, then they learn the truth from the Watch. Dogberry and Verges bring Borachio and Conrade to confess, and Claudio begs forgiveness. Leonato demands that Claudio mourns Hero, and in recompense, marry her brother’s daughter—who happens to look exactly like Hero. Claudio agrees, and at the ceremony encounters the real Hero.
Beatrice and Benedick stop denying each other and agree to be married. As they are all about to celebrate, they receive news of Don John’s capture.
