Shubhabrata Dutta
Stoner movies are special kinds of movies that you watch when high — mostly on weed. The idea of stoner movies is to showcase a different, trippy world that may not seem apparent to a normal audience. While stoner movies have existed since the 1930s, there has been a recent trend where wild comedies are the “to-go” films when high on weed. Then there are sex comedies and teenage tragedies or the ones that focus only on weed and opiates and nothing else. However, one thing is common across all stoner movies – they don’t follow any storyline or technicalities (typically) and have a bizarre setting that is hard to decipher (stoned or not, either way). One has to look at them while in their shoes to realize their true importance. So, if you are high and are looking for the right kind of cinema, here are our recommendations, available on Hulu.
12. Grandma’s Boy (2006)
Testing all the different facets of a video game is a regular thing for 35-year-old video game tester Alex. However, competition from a peer game designer and feelings for a girl who is his professional senior while dealing with a damper from his grandmother and her friends are too much for him. Directed by Nicholaus Goossen, this underrated stoner comedy is whacky, goofy, and all other kinds of hilarious. It stars Allen Covert, Peter Dante, Nick Swardson, Joel David Moore, Jonah Hill, and Linda Cardellini. You can watch it here.
11. Dude, Where’s My Car? (2000)
It’s not about a car but what it will bring to Jesse (Ashton Kutcher) and Chester (Seann William Scott) that matters in this stoner comedy. The two wake up without having any idea of their fun-filled exploits the previous night. All that they have are almost a lifetime’s worth of pudding inside the fridge and a matchbook cover from a strip club. Their girlfriends have promised them a special treat, but it won’t be possible unless they give the ladies their anniversary gifts, which were inside the car that has somehow disappeared. How Jesse and Chester, two dimwitted stoneheads, find the car is what follows in this whacky stoner flick underscored by strippers, police, and even hot aliens. You can watch ‘Dude, Where’s My Car?’ here.
10. Flux Gourmet (2022)
‘Flux Gourmet’ is a horror-comedy film written and directed by Peter Strickland. In this abstract drama, the Sonic Catering Institute becomes a canvas for three culinary collectives – Elle di Elle, Lamina Propria, and Billy Rubin, who express their artistry through food under the watchful gaze of Jan Stevens. As the tale unfolds, the story paints an intricate picture of the connections between nourishment, the body, and artistry while subtly commenting on modern cinema’s evolution in the digital age. Masterful direction from Strickland and compelling performances, especially by Fatma Mohamed, ensure an enthralling feast for the senses. You can watch the movie here.
9. The Binge (2020)
Starring Vince Vaughn, Skyler Gisondo, Eduardo Franco, and Dexter Darden, ‘The Binge’ is a comedy movie directed by Jeremy Garelick. A parody of the popular media franchise ‘The Purge,’ the film is set in the near future when alcohol and drugs are banned except for a specific 12-hour period known as Binge Day. Desperate to make full use of the rare occasion, three high school seniors decide to join the ultimate party. Unfortunately, things will not be as easy as they have imagined since their insane principles stand in the way. You may watch the film here.
8. Vacation Friends (2021)
Produced by Todd Garner and Timothy M. Bourne, ‘Vacation Friends’ is a buddy comedy film that features Lil Rel Howery, John Cena, Yvonne Orji, and Meredith Hagner. The Clay Tarver directorial revolves around Marcus, a construction company owner who plans a scenic vacation with his fiancée, Emily, to an exotic location in Mexico. The couple expects the holiday will bring them closer and things will go well until they meet Ron and Kyla. The two couples spend quality time together in Mexico, and after the vacation, Emily and Marcus return to their home. Although they feel that they may never see Ron and Kyla again, they are surprised to find the duo attending their marriage uninvited. Feel free to check out the movie here.
7. Bromates (2022)
Directed by Court Crandall from a script by Crandall and Chris Kemper, ‘Bromates’ embodies fratboy comedy. Given that it has been a minute since one of those has come out, ‘Bromates’ can be a fun experience for a viewer looking for easy comedy. The plot revolves around Sid (Josh Brenner) and Jonesie (Lil Rel Howery), who have been best friends since childhood. After their respective girlfriends break up with them, they react differently. While Jonesie suddenly becomes a party animal, Sid descends into severe depression. Realizing that his friend is suffering, Jonesie convinces Sid to move in with him. They become the eponymous bromates, intent on enjoying their newfound singlehood. You can check out the film here.
6. Silk Road (2021)
This is to make stoners knowledgeable rather than giving them a kick. Based on the Rolling Stone article “Dead End on Silk Road: Internet Crime Kingpin Ross Ulbricht’s Big Fall” by David Kushner, ‘Silk Road’ tells the true story of Ross Ulbricht, who created the first modern darknet market website, Silk Road, in 2011. The website facilitated the sale of illegal stuff, including drugs, via the cryptocurrency bitcoin, earning him millions in the process. The film also shows how the authorities tracked down Ulbricht and arrested him in 2013, giving him life imprisonment. This Tiller Russell directorial stars Nick Robinson, Paul Walter Hauser, Jason Clarke, Alexandra Shipp, and Jimmi Simpson. You can watch the film here.
5. I’m Just F*cking With You (2019)
Belonging to Hulu’s horror anthology series, ‘I’m Just F*cking With You’ offers a unique angle at a stoner movie. It belongs to the horror but picks at the stoner quotient through its plotline that follows a guy named Larry (Keir O’Donnell) and his sister Rachel (Jessica McNamee), who check into a secluded motel for a one-night stay. However, Larry soon finds himself subjected to the pranks of the motel’s attendant, Chester (Hayes MacArthur), who appears to be no less than a potentially harmful sociopath. It’s only a matter of time before Chester takes Larry to the latter’s limits and brings out his inner demon, which Larry unleashes on his computer in the form of aggressive trolls. What happens then? To find out, you can watch this Adam Mason directorial right here.
4. Linoleum (2023)
In the mundane realm of a small Ohio town, Cameron Edwin’s life takes a mind-bending turn in the movie. Stuck in a tedious routine with his wife Erin and daughter Nora, Cameron, a midnight TV show host, seizes the opportunity of a fallen rocket part in his backyard to resurrect his childhood dream of space travel. As he embarks on a whimsical journey to rebuild the rocket, the film morphs into a trippy spectacle, blending surreal events with Cameron’s existential reflections. Amidst a pending divorce and peculiar occurrences, the narrative unfolds into a captivating stoner movie, blurring the lines between reality and the fantastical, offering a psychedelic and reflective experience for audiences seeking a mind-bending cinematic escape. You can watch it here.
3. Step Brothers (2008)
Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly are middle-aged (nearing 40) slackers Brennan and Dale, respectively. With nothing else to do other than waste their single parents’ money, both are idiots in their rights. However, by a twist of fate, their respective parents meet, fall in love, and get married, thereby bringing these two stalwarts of idiocy face to face. Thus begins a chaotic drama, with the step-brothers fighting over every little thing. However, there are a lot of similarities between them that they aren’t aware of. Directed by Adam McKay, ‘Step Brothers’ is a laughter riot, thanks to the impeccable comedy timings of Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly, and for stoners, the comedy is almost transcendent. You can watch the movie here.
2. Big Time Adolescence (2019)
‘Big Time Adolescence’ follows 16-year-old Monroe “Mo” Harris, who often spends time with Zeke Presanti (Pete Davidson), his sister’s former classmate and boyfriend. When Mo supplies weed and alcohol to parties hosted by other students, he suddenly becomes popular at school. Seeing how much money they can potentially make, Zeke pushes Mo to keep supplying drugs and alcohol to the parties even though Mo begins to doubt the ramifications of what he is doing. At one of these parties, Mo grows close to his classmate Sophie, and they start dating. Inevitably, however, his actions catch up with Mo, and he is arrested, prompting his father to lash out at Zeke. You can stream the film here.
1. Palm Springs (2020)
‘Palm Springs’ is a science fiction rom-com directed by Max Barbakow. Set against the sunny backdrop of Palm Springs, Nyles (Andy Samberg) is trapped, reliving the same wedding day in an unending time loop. His predictable day takes a turn when he meets Sarah (Cristin Milioti), the bride’s rebellious sister. After a fateful event, Sarah joins Nyles in his routine of wild antics and reckless fun, and both try to make the best of their peculiar situation. The chemistry between Samberg and Milioti, coupled with the unexpected comedic brilliance of J.K. Simmons, makes for an engaging watch. ‘Palm Springs’ masterfully blends romance, humor, and sci-fi, providing viewers with a fresh take on the time-loop concept and reaffirming the importance of human connections. You can stream it here.
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