Top 5 Stoner Movies of All Time
3 min readANDREW CAMPBELL
In light of the upcoming countercultural holiday of April 20, I thought it would be only fitting to give you a top five best weed movies countdown. Keep in mind this list is by no means comprehensive. There are many great pot-smoking films out there to be seen, but these are what I feel are the “must sees.”
1. “Half Baked:”
This stoner film was made in 1998 and stars Dave Chappelle and Jim Breuer. This cult classic tells the story of Thurgood (Dave Chappelle) and his friends who are forced into selling medical marijuana in order to bail their recently incarcerated friend Kenny out of jail. The group steals the cannabis from the lab where Thurgood works as a janitor. Their business booms and ultimately gets the raucous group in trouble with the law, a rival drug dealer and Thurgood’s anti-drug girlfriend. The extensive cameos, hilarious scenarios, and Chappelle’s team of comics will have you holding your sides.
2. “Pineapple Express:”
Although recent, this weed movie is already in contention for the top spot as the best pot-smoking movie of all time. If you haven’t seen this stoner/action movie, I highly recommend it. After witnessing a murder while serving a court subpoena, Dale Denton (Seth Rogan) and his dealer (James Franco) get chased to and fro by the pot dealer who committed the crime. Red-flagged by their possession of a rare strain of weed known as “pineapple express,” Denton and Saul (Franco) end up in a humorous high adrenaline pursuit. The first movie to combine weed comedy with bullet-riddled action, “Pineapple Express” is sure to entertain.
3. “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle:”
The first of two in the “Harold & Kumar” series, this 2004 pot comedy is sure to keep you laughing from beginning to end. Harold and Kumar set out to escape the pressures of their daily lives by taking a road trip to the White Castle restaurant. What they encounter along the way is a series of absolutely hilarious adventures and interactions with wily characters, all while being ridiculously high off of copious amounts of marijuana.
4. “Super High Me:”
This 2007 starring comedian Doug Benson in his adaptation of Morgan Spurlock’s “Super Size Me” is perfect for the documentary-loving pothead. In the film Benson abstains from smoking weed for 30 days, while simultaneously taking tests that measure his mental and physical health. Then Benson engages in seemingly nonstop marijuana use for the next 30 days before comparing his test results. The film’s comedic plot is accentuated by interviews with marijuana activists, politicians and citizens from the medical marijuana movement.
5. “Cheech & Chong’s Up in Smoke:”
This 1978 classic is considered by many to be the godfather of the stoner comedy films. Comedians Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong star in this epic tale of two stoners arrested for being stoned and then subsequently dismissed of the charges. When trying to find more bud and duck the cops, the two are deported to Tijuana. They embark on a riotous attempt to get back into the country in a van made entirely of marijuana, all the while trying to continue to evade the authorities.
Whether you are a devoted weed smoker, only like to dabble or have never touch the stuff, these wildly comical films can be appreciated by all types and for many different reasons. So if you’re looking for a good laugh or just to celebrate 4/20 with the right movie, I highly recommend all of these titles.
