Netflix and Smoke: Movies about Weed

There’s nothing quite like kicking back with a packed pipe, a spread of snacks, and the perfect stoner comedy to giggle your worries away. Stoner movies are a special kind of film, with the perfect mix of humor, relatable characters, and laid-back vibes. They’re a great way to chill, whether you’re stoned or stone-cold sober.

Why Do We Love Movies About Weed?

Weed movies inhabit a unique space in modern culture. They mix humor, friendship, creativity, and self-expression with playful parody, often poking fun at the systems that try to suppress that freedom. They often feature a close-knit group of at least two friends held together by a love of cannabis, with bumbling, caricatured law enforcement characters who try to foil their antics to no avail.

The leads are often relatable archetypes: down-on-their-luck creatives or laid-back slackers just trying to live simply, enjoy life, and do what they love. The unemployed pot-smoking slacker and easygoing burnout archetypes, like Jeff Bridges' The Dude in 'The Big Lebowski,' are staples of the genre, embodying the relaxed, carefree spirit central to many stoner films.

Canna-comedies have evolved alongside the culture of the last few decades. While early movies about weed were intended to scare people away from it, such as the comically bad Reefer Madness, today’s stoner movies tie into a more accepting culture that embraces freedom and creativity. From the OG stoner flick, Cheech & Chong’s Up In Smoke, to more recent cannabis-inspired stories like Pineapple Express and The Beach Bum, the stoner comedy has inspired a cultural shift toward acceptance, creative aspiration, and contentment with the simpler things in life.

Settling in with a feel-good stoner flick is a great way to relax while puffing your worries away. Whether you’re smoking solo or bonding with friends over a bowl or two, a good weed movie is the perfect way to set the mood, inspire relaxation, and get a few giggles in.

Classic Stoner Comedies That Started It All

When it comes to movies about weed, we have to start by paying homage to the classic stoner flicks that paved the way. These are the films that immediately come to mind when they picture the classic cannabis comedy. These iconic films are beloved not just by tokers but by comedy fans of all strains.

Our picks for the best classic stoner comedies to watch while smoking are:

Cheech & Chong’s Up In Smoke (1978)

When you think of movies about weed, Cheech & Chong’s Up In Smoke is probably one of the first examples that come to mind. The movie follows “Man” and Pedro, two stoners played by the beloved comedy duo Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong, as they embark on a quest for the ultimate high. Anthony Stoner (played by Tommy Chong) is a classic example of the laid-back stoner archetype, and the film highlights the 'man star' dynamic between the two leads. Their misadventures take them all the way to Tijuana, where they wind up driving home in a van made entirely of compressed cannabis.

This wacky comedy features a drunk judge, an ill-fated police chase, and a terrible battle of the bands. It’ll have you rolling harder than the joint you smoked while watching it.

Cheech & Chong’s Up In Smoke is the ultimate bud-dy comedy for stoners. It was the first big movie to paint stoner culture as the chill lifestyle it is, rather than the vilified version crafted by films like “Reefer Madness.”

Half Baked (1998)

This classic stoner movie comes from the mind of comedian Dave Chappelle, who plays Thurgood, a janitor at a medical facility who spends his free time getting high with his three roommates. When one of them is arrested for feeding junk food to a New York City police horse, Thurgood and the others come up with a hare-brained scheme to steal medical marijuana from the facility and sell it to raise the bail money.

The film is filled with other familiar stoner faces, including Willie Nelson, Snoop Dogg, and Tommy Chong. It’s a cult favorite among stoners, with the kind of goofy humor perfect for pairing with giggle grass, and a fantastic story filled with fun, friendship, and “high” misadventures.

The film also features memorable scenes involving a roommate's marijuana cupcakes, further highlighting its embrace of cannabis-infused humor.

Friday (1995)

Starring Ice Cube and Chris Tucker as stoner best friends Craig and Smokey, Friday follows a single day in the life of a black inner-city neighborhood in South Central Los Angeles. The day begins with the pair accidentally smoking an entire $200 worth of cannabis that Smokey was meant to sell, resulting in a mad rush to make up the money in time to pay off the angry drug dealer, Big Worm.

The film features a memorable cast of characters, like Deebo, who has become synonymous with the classic neighborhood bully, and a hilarious love triangle between Craig, his on-and-off girlfriend, Joi, and his attractive neighbor Debbie. The movie is also infinitely quotable (ever wondered where “Bye, Felicia!” came from? It’s here!) and has inspired a slew of internet memes.

In addition to being a classic stoner comedy, Friday was the first movie to depict inner-city black neighborhoods in a lighthearted and comedic way. While other “hood” movies of the time emphasized darker themes like gang violence, institutional injustice, and poverty, Friday focused on the black community, quirky neighborhood characters, and the humorous side of “hood” life.

What Are Some Modern Stoner Movies Worth Streaming?

Modern stoner movies have evolved beyond goofy comedy and caricature. Although these are still common elements of weed-centered flicks, today’s stories have reinvented stoner cinema to add more complex storytelling elements.

In recent decades, stoner cinema has expanded to include dramas, thrillers, scary movies, coming-of-age films, and even documentaries. This evolution has broadened the appeal of cannabis-centered films, offering something for every kind of enthusiast.

Pineapple Express (2008)

One of the first mainstream stoner blockbusters, Pineapple Express blends the classic stoner buddy comedy with the heart-pumping thrill of an action flick. The movie stars comedy icon Seth Rogen as Dale Denton, a process server, and actor James Franco as Saul Silver, a pot dealer, who must escape the clutches of a drug kingpin and an overenthusiastic, corrupt cop after Dale witnesses them murdering a rival gang member. Danny McBride also appears in a memorable supporting role.

The movie gets its title from the rare, potent strain of cannabis found at the murder scene. The cop and the kingpin drug dealer are able to trace a roach of the rare strain to Dale and Saul, forcing the pair to go on the run together. The result is an action-packed race to the finish that combines intense action and hilarious comic relief for a stoner film that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Following the success of the film, an actual “Pineapple Express” strain of cannabis was developed. It’s commonly believed to be a cross between the “Trainwreck” and “Hawaiian” strains, and is still a wildly popular choice of smoke today. It’s known for being an uplifting and energizing sativa hybrid with sweet, tropical flavor notes reminiscent of, what else? Pineapple.

The Beach Bum (2019)

Though it has plenty of humorous moments, The Beach Bum offers a more serious take on the stoner lifestyle. The film stars Matthew McConaughey as stoner and poet Moondog, who lives a carefree life partying his way through the Florida Keys. It’s a celebration of rebellion against the status quo that explores the relationship between creativity and hedonism.

The movie’s structure mirrors Moondog’s aimless lifestyle with a loosely connected plot that’s more about vibes and vistas than a cohesive story. It’s a visual masterpiece perfect for when you just want to lie back, zone out, and relax.

Grass Is Greener (2019)

If you’re a more mindful smoker who likes to learn while you lounge, you might consider Grass Is Greener, a 2019 Netflix documentary about weed culture, music, and the growing legalization of cannabis. Though other documentaries have tried to tackle cannabis, this is one of the earliest and best films to take on the toke. It’s equal parts entertainment and education, covering the history of cannabis starting from the Jazz Age.

The film tackles the criminalization of cannabis as a controlled substance, and eventual decriminalization, as well as the deep racism underlying its prohibition over the years. Grass Is Greener was also featured at the Tribeca Film Festival, highlighting the important role film festivals play in promoting cannabis-related documentaries. But it juxtaposes these darker parts of cannabis history with the cultural and musical influence of cannabis culture. It highlights stoner icons from jazz great Louie Armstrong to rap star Snoop Dogg, emphasizing the way cannabis helped enhance their creativity and make them into the artists they became.

The Perfect Pairing: Snacks, Strains, and Streaming Nights

Once you’ve picked out a flick for your chill night in, elevate the experience by pairing your movie with snacks like classic junk food, your favorite smoke, and a few good friends. The right combination can take your movie from an ordinary movie night to a memorable bonding experience.

The Munchie Menu

When prepping for the munchies, start with your snacks. Plan themed snacks and drinks such as “smoked” meats, “half-baked” pastries, or a pineapple fruit tray. Try to balance salty and sweet options; you never know which way the munchies will swing.

Foods like pretzels, pizza, nachos, and chocolate are satisfying staples for mid-movie munchies. Fresh fruit or veggies and dip are also a great cure for cottonmouth and can help you stay hydrated.

And, of course, you can’t go wrong with everyone’s favorite movie snack, popcorn. Eat it plain, with butter, or topped with flavorings like cheese powder, garlic salt, sugar, or caramel. You can even go all out and have a popcorn buffet with all your favorite flavors and toppings.

Stay hydrated with coordinating drinks. You can mix up a themed mocktail, or simply stock up on hydration staples like infused water, sports drinks, fruit juices, or herbal teas. Try to avoid drinks that will dehydrate you, such as coffee, caffeinated soda, or alcohol.

Selecting Your Strain

Once your snack menu is set, it's time to choose a strain. Picking the right cannabis strain can make or break your movie night, so start by thinking about the vibe you want. How do you want to feel while watching?

For a more relaxed movie night, choose an indica strain with myrcene terpenes that will melt all your stress away. Looking to giggle and gab with your besties? Choose a sativa-leaning hybrid with hints of limonene for an uplifted and euphoric mood boost.

Make sure that your choice of strain matches the mood. If you’re looking to laugh, you may not want a relaxing indica that will have you couch-locked and falling asleep halfway through the movie. And if you want deep relaxation, a euphoric sativa that energizes you and sharpens your mind might make it hard to sit still and chill.

Don’t forget to stock up on smoking supplies. Try out a water bong for a smooth smoke and a bowl big enough to share. Or invest in rolling supplies like trays, cones, and papers to give everyone at the party their own personal joint. Or go for a classic glass pipe that you and your friends can puff-puff-pass on all night. Not into smoking? Vapes and edibles are also great options to get the high without the hacking.

Gather the Gang

Once you’ve got your snacks and your strains, it’s time to fill up the guest list. Gather a group of your closest friends for a chill movie night where everyone can relax. Or have a one-on-one watch party with your best friend and a bowl. “Netflix and Smoke” nights are also a great way to break the ice with a crush or a new relationship, as long as everyone's comfortable with cannabis.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with going solo on movie night, too. In fact, relaxing at home alone with a movie, a packed bowl, and your favorite munchies is a great way to unwind and de-stress after a long week. Just think of it like therapy from the comfort of your couch.

Plan the Ultimate Stoner Movie Night With SMOKEA®

Whether you’re giggling with a group or smoking solo, SMOKEA® has the accessories you need to take your movie night to the next level. Our extensive selection of glass, vapes, and rolling supplies makes us the ultimate online headshop. Check out what’s new and stock up for your next “Netflix and Smoke” night.

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