Our Top 10 List of Best Stoner Movies

We can all agree that laughter is one of the greatest joys in life and one of the best ways to spend our time, with stoner movies being an excellent way to tickle your funny bone. 

In fact, some of the greatest stoner movies bring a sense of light-hearted fun that can help ease the moment into a celebration of cheerfulness and laughter. 

From the iconic stoner comedy flicks from Seth Rogen to Harold and Kumar’s whimsical adventures, stoner movies provide insight into how much fun it can be to sit back and have a joint while also giving viewers some understanding of the cannabis culture and why it’s so great.

In this article, we will be covering some of the most prevalent stoner films of recent history.

What is Stoner Comedy?

Stoner comedy is a sub-genre of comedy films that draw from the influences of cannabis and its surrounding culture. 

Most notably, you’ll find typical stoner movies involving a cheeky use of cannabis as one of its central themes, which may also be the subject of many jokes or events that drive that plot. 

Some common elements that your classic stoner film will incorporate may be the protagonist or one of the main characters looking for weed, trying to get weed, or smoking weed, leading to precarious and often over-the-top situations.

Our Top 10 Best Stoner Movies 

Of course, everyone has their opinions when it comes to the best stoner movies. Some may hold some kind of sentimental or nostalgic value while others are just undeniably classic. 

Below is a list of our top 10 favourites: 

Harold And Kumar Go To White Castle (2004)

Stoner roommates and friends Harold Lee (John Cho) and Kumar Patel (Kal Penn) find themselves getting stoned while watching TV. In the midst of their weed-fueled binge, they find themselves utterly entranced by a commercial about some White Castle sliders. 

With a sense of the munchies on full blast, the two reckon that there must be one close by. Embarking on a late-night journey that puts them face to face with the law, horny truckers, and a carjacking hitchhiker (Neil Patrick Harris) high on ecstasy.

With a diverse cast of stars, this film employs the use of cannabis in some of the most fun-loving and outrageous predicaments. Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle is a widely popularized example of stoner movies highlighting the fun and adventurous side associated with smoking weed.

Dazed and Confused (1993)

A coming of age comedy film that follows a group of wild teens who are celebrating their last day of high school. Dazed and Confused is a cannabis cult classic. 

The film, set in 1976, follows a group of freshmen being hazed by the next year’s group of seniors as well as the new seniors themselves. The groups head to a keg party and a popular pool hall where they indulge in some righteous reefer with outrageous antics soon follow.

The movie features an all-star ensemble with the likes of Ben Affleck, Matthew McConaughey, Milla Jovovich, Jason London, Cole Hauser, Parker Posey, Adam Goldberg, Joey Lauren Adams, Nicky Katt, and Rory Cochrane. 

Dazed and Confused is a favourite among straight-edged folks and stoners alike for its humour, nostalgia and relatability factors. It effortlessly combines the recreational use of weed and the epic music of the era while also showcasing the adventures and messy lessons of youth.

Big Lebowski (1998)

The Big Lebowski is an example of stoner movies that combine comedy and crime. With the harrowing tale of Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski, portrayed by actor Jeff Bridges. 

In the film, The Dude is mistaken for a millionaire of the same name (his real name, Jeff Lebowski), prompting two crooks to urinate on his rug and pressure him into paying a debt he knows nothing about. 

In order to regain compensation for the cost of his rug, Lebowski gets in touch with his wealthier counterpart and becomes entangled in an intricate kidnapping case that leads to a plethora of dangerous and ridiculous situations.

Although The Big Lebowski received mixed reviews upon release, the movie has aged like a fine wine, churning out positive reception over time. The film has been deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the Library of Congress, which selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2014.   

Pineapple Express (2008)

An instant classic for stoner movies for a new generation of weed lovers. Pineapple Express follows the story of Dale (Seth Rogen), a pot-smoking process server and his laidback dealer, Saul (James Franco). 

The two get caught up in a murder while trying to get their hands on the ultra-rare Pineapple Express weed strain. As Dale gets his hands on this super-rare strain, he and his dealer quickly become the targets of a crooked cop and the city’s most dangerous drug lord.

Fans of Seth Rogen comedies will love this one. Pineapple follows two laid-back stoners who are on the verge of getting murdered by some of the most dangerous people in their city. 

Although what they experience is real, they must determine whether or not the bad guys really are hot on their trail or if the experience they’re sharing is just weed induced paranoia.

Reefer Madness (1936)

A propagandistic film released in the early 1900s highlighting the dangers of marijauna. The film Reefer Madness was taken relatively seriously at the time. 

Reefer Madness is one of those films that has aged exceptionally well, but for all the wrong reasons. Many cannabis enthusiasts are drawn to it for its over-the-top and absolutely absurd views on the herb. Thus, making it one of those stoner movies that are so bad that it’s actually good.

Any Cheech and Chong Movie

A Grammy Award-winning comedy duo and cultural icons who spawned a series of comedic gems, Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong are legends within cannabis culture.

While there isn’t one single movie we’ve picked out of theirs, they have a whole catalogue to choose from. Cheech and Chong have created a handful of stoner movies that have caught the attention of blazers and movie-goers alike. Including, Up In The Smoke (1978), Cheech and Chong’s Next Movie (1980), and Still Smokin (1983).

This Is The End (2013)

A recent favourite in the ever-growing collection of stoner movies. This is the End covers the aftermath of a Hollywood house party hosted by James Franco that gets way out of control.

Among those in attendance include several famous actors, including Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, and Emma Watson. After a series of devastating events destroys Hollywood, they find themselves at each other’s throats while also facing the apocalypse itself.

This is the End showcases the paranoia that weed sometimes produces. Not only does it capture it well, but it sheds light on the situation and makes fun of it.

Friday (1995)

Starring Chris Tucker and Ice Cube. Friday follows the adventures of two homies who smoke a dealer’s weed before paying for it. 

The two get extremely high and use the creativity that icky sticky naturally enhances to figure out a plan to get the 200 dollars to the dealer before the night is over.

The Beach Bum (2019)

One of the most recent stoner movies featuring an all star cast. Including Matthew McConaughey, Snoop Dogg, Isla Fisher, Zac Efron, and Jonah Hill. The Beach Bum follows Moondog, an outrageous, fun-loving, free-spirited stoner and writer who lives life on his own terms. 

Set in Florida, a series of unexpected drug-fueled events leads to a sudden halt in Moondog’s reckless lifestyle. After he is pressured to put his literary skills to work and write the next great American novel.

Half Baked (1998)

Don’t let the name fool you. There is nothing half-assed about Half Baked. 

Half Baked follows the story of a trio of stoner buddies. Things get interesting when one of the crew members gets arrested for allegedly killing a New York City police horse by feeding it junk food. 

The three not-so-bright stoners are forced to conquer their laziness and come up with a way to post bail. Which involves one or two creative ideas, to say the least. 

Much like The Beach Bum, Half Baked showcases the whimsical side of weed. Thus, showing how wacky, weird, and creative ideas it can spawn.

Stoner Movies – Fun, Weed and More

Stoner movies are a great way to experience some of the best of cannabis culture that often leads it to poke fun at itself while also celebrating the righteous herb. 

These movies are fun to watch, hilarious, and, best of all. They may inspire a couple of new ideas or two of your own. For example, have you ever tried to make the cross joint from Pineapple Express? 

Even if you aren’t an avid toker, stoner movies are an excellent way to bring on a healthy case of the giggles. While potentially gaining a new perspective regarding cannabis and those who choose to use it. 

In this way, they may serve a great purpose to hopefully foster a deeper understanding. As well as, facilitate the potential for more open and honest conversations surrounding cannabis and its many benefits. Both recreationally and medically. 

We hope you enjoyed this list. Do you agree with it? Let us know!  

Happy viewing!