12 Stoner Movies to Watch When You Really Need to Chill
When it comes to stoner movies, you probably picture a couple of guy friends getting high and ending up on an unexpected adventure. And while you'll definitely see some films that follow that plot on the list below, not all stoner movies have to fit that exact description.
Namely, the guy thing. There aren't a lot of stoner movies that star women, but as you'll see, there are a few that make the cut if we look outside of the box a little bit. After all, a stoner movie doesn't have to be all about smoking weed or eating an excessive amount of pot cupcakes. Instead it just has to fit a few criteria. Usually, a stoner movie is about friendship, often it takes place during one day, and in every case, something outlandish happens—whether that's a weird night out or the literal apocalypse. And, yeah, there's at least a little bit of weed involved.
Pineapple Express
James Franco and Seth Rogen star in Pineapple Express as a marijuana dealer and his customer-turned-buddy. It's about friendship, going on the run after accidentally witnessing a crime, and, of course, smoking the cross joint.
Dazed and Confused
Dazed and Confused follows a group of teenagers on their last day of school in 1976. There's lots of groups all interacting—from freshmen to football players to Matthew McConaughey's definitely-not-still-in-high-school character—and plenty of experimenting with various substances.
Friday
In this classic comedy, two friends (Ice Cube, Chris Tucker), one of whom is a small-time drug dealer, have to pay back his dealer by Friday night. The movie all takes place in one day, as the stoned friends figure out how they're going to get the money in time.
Knocked Up
If it's a stoner rom-com you're looking for, turn to Knocked Up. The film stars Katherine Heigl and Seth Rogen as Alison and Ben, a pair who learn they're expecting a baby after a one-night stand. Alison is an up-and-coming TV host; Ben is a guy who hangs out with a bunch of stoned friends all day. Will they make it work?
Booksmart
While Booksmart is not exactly a stoner comedy, it makes the cut for featuring some of the usual aspects—a best friendship, one night that turns totally wacky, weird side characters—and it also has one particularly trippy scene where the two lead characters (Beanie Feldstein, Kaitlyn Dever) think they've turned into Barbie dolls after taking hallucinogens.
Keanu
Remember that movie with Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, and a cat? That's Keanu. The film follows two guys who have to search for their cat, named Keanu, after it's stolen by gang members. The movie does involve some weed and other drugs, but, come on, is that not a stoner movie premise if you've ever heard one?
Smiley Face
Anna Faris appears in Keanu as a version of herself, but she starred in her own stoner movie called Smiley Face in 2007. The plot is simple: A woman accidentally eats way too many weed cupcakes, and hijinks ensue.
Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle
Know what else has a simple plot? Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, which is exactly what it sounds like. Two friends, Harold (John Cho) and Kumar (Kal Penn), decide to go to White Castle after smoking, and it ends up being more of an adventure than they expected. The movie also features Neil Patrick Harris as himself... but on ecstasy and hitchhiking.
Someone Great
Gina Rodriguez stars in Someone Great as a woman going through a devastating breakup. If that doesn't exactly sound fun and uplifting, just know the comedy also features her two best friends (DeWanda Wise, Brittany Snow) helping her through it with more than enough weed and tequila.
The Big Lebowski
The Coen Brothers' The Big Lebowski is known as one of the best stoner movies ever, even though it's not specifically about getting stoned like some of the movies on this list. Instead, it's a comedic crime film about a guy called "The Dude" (Jeff Bridges), who ends up involved in a kidnapping. Bonus points for the trippy dream sequence.
Dude
From "The Dude" to Dude. This 2018 Netflix comedy stars Lucy Hale, Alexandra Shipp, Awkwafina, and Kathryn Prescott as high school friends, who are preparing to all go their separate ways. For their group, though, moving involves burying their beloved Donkey Kong bong, Donkey Bong.
This Is the End
Yes, it's our third appearance from Seth Rogen on this list. This Is the End follows two friends (Jay Baruchel, Rogen), who just want to get high and go to a Hollywood party with a bunch of celebs—Rihanna, Emma Watson, Mindy Kaling, James Franco, and many more play versions of themselves—but end up fighting to survive the apocalypse.
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