Brad Harris is having what he calls a 'no-life crisis'. He is stuck in a soul destroying job and he is still living with his parents, despite him being in his mid-thirties. The one thing that holds any interest for him is bird watching. When he discovers that this year is known to 'birders' as 'The Big Year' - one year where birders set out to find as many birds in the country as possible - Brad is determined to beat the record previously set by Kenny Postick.
Stu Preissler is another birder who is hoping to participate in the Big Year. He is nearing retirement and wants to do something fulfilling with his life; however, his fellow coworkers don't want him travelling the country and they continually think of means to keep Stu in the office.
Kenny Postick is an avid birder; having set the record for seeing the most birds back in 2003. He seems to be unaware that his obsession with bird watching was what caused the breakdown of his first marriage. His second wife warns him that if he carries on with his bird watching, their marriage will head the same way but Kenny doesn't listen.
The three eventually meet while travelling through North America. Brad and Stu team up, while Kenny remains aloof and distant. Though the trio can't seem to escape certain mishaps - such as Kenny missing the plane to his next destination that the other two managed to catch - will any of them be able to break Kenny's record and spot the most birds in the country?
Starring: Jack Black, Owen Wilson, Steve Martin, Rosamund Pike, John Cleese, Joel McHale, JoBeth Williams, Barry Shabaka Henley, Dianne Wiest, Brian Dennehy, June Squibb, Jim Parsons, Anjelica Huston, Rashida Jones, Tim Blake Nelson, Al Roker, Steven Weber, Andrew Wilson, Gabrielle Rose, David Lewis, Jesse Moss, Morgan Brayton, Corbin Bernsen, Nate Torrence, Veena Sood, Paul Campbell and Christopher Redman
Directed by: David Frankel