This tutorial introduces classes and objects, fundamental concepts in Java's object-oriented programming paradigm. Classes serve as blueprints for creating objects, which are instances of those classes. The video explains that even basic Java programs utilize classes, as every program includes a 'public class main'. To illustrate, the video presents a code example demonstrating the general structure of a class, highlighting key elements like class declaration, variables, methods, and constructors. The tutorial emphasizes that understanding classes and objects is crucial for mastering Java development.