Set in the late 1970s, Roll Bounce centers on 17-year-old Xavier "X" Smith (played by rapper Bow Wow), a talented roller skater who spends his weekends at the local roller rink with his buddies. However, when their beloved rink shuts down, X and his crew are forced to travel across town to a new rink, the Sweetwater Roller Rink.
The Sweetwater rink is a different world altogether, with a different crowd and a different vibe. X and his friends initially struggle to fit in and face opposition from the rink's reigning skating champ, Sweetness (Wesley Jonathan). They also deal with personal challenges, such as X's strained relationship with his widowed father (Carl Wright) and his crush on Sweetness' sister Naomi (Meagan Good).
Undeterred by the obstacles, X and his friends form a new crew and strive to make their mark at Sweetwater. They practice tirelessly, perfecting new moves and routines. With the help of veteran skater and DJ, DJ Biggs (Charlie Murphy), they eventually earn the respect of their peers and prepare for the big end-of-summer roller disco competition.
Roll Bounce celebrates the joy and community of roller skating culture, and captures the music and fashion of the era through its soundtrack and costumes. The film also features appearances from famous skaters such as Jurnee Smollett-Bell and Wayne Brady.