Special Report
The Best Movies and Shows About Weed You Can Watch Online Now
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Cannabis occupies an ever-growing presence in American culture. The first songs celebrating marijuana date from the 1920s and their number has grown exponentially since the 1960s. And there’s an entire “stoner” sub-genre in both TV and film, including a slew of recent documentaries and docu-series about cannabis — many of which explore complex issues such as legalization, medicinal use, and the disastrous “war on drugs.” The end result is an epic trove of content that’s often as informative as it is entertaining. (Check out this article to see how much every state can make from legalized marijuana).
Serious treatments aside, one generally expects to find pure entertainment on the menu when the word “stoner” is used. It’s no surprise then that marijuana remains a frequent source of comedy on screens both big and small. And while we won’t go as far as to suggest that the best cannabis movies and shows are better when viewed under the influence, we won’t not suggest it either. (Along similar lines, here’s a list of the best R-rated movies ever made).
Meanwhile, what better way to enjoy a cannabis movie or show than from the comfort of one’s couch? Thanks to the power of streaming, modern viewers are spoiled for choice. From vintage classics like “Up in Smoke” to recent fare like “This is the End” to pot-themed cooking competitions, here are some of the best cannabis movies and shows to stream right now.
Click here to see the best movies and shows about weed you can watch online now
To identify the best cannabis movies and shows to stream right now, 24/7 Tempo reviewed several online sources such as Cannaverse, a consulting service for the cannabis industry, and Rotten Tomatoes, an online movie and TV review aggregator, for the cannabis-centered movies and TV shows that are streaming right now. Cast information comes from IMDb, an online movie database owned by Amazon.
Pineapple Express (2008)
> Starring: Seth Rogen, James Franco, Gary Cole, Danny McBride
Judd Apatow co-conceived and executive produced this modern-day blend of stoner comedy and violent action movie. Weed enthusiast (Dale Denton) witnesses a brutal murder and goes on the run, taking his dealer (James Franco) along for the ride. As with most Apatow productions, this one underscores its wild antics with earnest themes.
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That 70’s Show (1998)
> Starring: Mila Kunis, Danny Masterson, Laura Prepon, Topher Grace
Chronicling the exploits of six Wisconsin teens, this wildly popular sitcom launched a number of high-profile careers. It aired on the Fox network, which prohibited the on-screen depiction of drug use. The show skirted around the ban by incorporating regular “circle” sessions, with each character sitting around a table in a smoke-filled room.
Disjointed (2017)
> Starring: Kathy Bates, Aaron Moten, Elizabeth Alderfer, Tone Bell
This short-lived series was the first original multi-cam sitcom picked up by Netflix. It stars Kathy Bates as devoted pot advocate Ruth Whitefeather Feldman, who runs a cannabis dispensary in Los Angeles. Despite its comedic approach, the show touches down on a number of important issues regarding the use and history of marijuana.
This Is the End (2013)
> Starring: James Franco, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel
Seth Rogen co-wrote and co-directed this apocalyptic farce, which integrates plenty of stoner humor. The end of the world kicks off during a huge party, with a number of major celebrities in attendance. Shot on an estimated budget of $32 million, the film made over $126 million at the worldwide box office.
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Up in Smoke (1978)
> Starring: Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong, Strother Martin, Edie Adams
Cheech and Chong’s big-screen debut helped establish the entire stoner comedy sub-genre. Through a haze of smoke comes the story of two toker buddies, who unwittingly transport drugs across border lines. A bona fide cult classic, the film yielded a number of sequels.
Super High Me (2007)
> Starring: Paul F. Tompkins, Brian Unger, Gary Cohan, Robert Gore
Stoner comic Doug Benson crafted this documentary in the spirit of “Super Size Me,” replacing fast food with marijuana. To highlight the effects of cannabis, Benson compares 30 days of pot abstinence with 30 days of non-stop consumption. The film also explores the history of mariijuana in general.
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The Culture High (2014)
> Starring: Joe Rogan, Snoop Dogg, Richard Branson, Wiz Khalifa
A follow up to 2007’s “The Union: The Business Behind Getting High,” this gripping documentary examines the history of marijuana prohibition from all sides. Featuring interviews with a number of famous stoners, it makes a compelling argument for decriminalization.
Weed CNN (2016)
> Starring: Sanjay Gupta
For this special report, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta spoke to people from all walks of life on the subject of cannabis. The stories he uncovered were powerful enough to change his entire perspective on the plant and its medicinal benefits.
420: The Documentary (2013)
> Starring: James Ball, David Chavez, Becky Lea Goodman, Steven Hager
Filmmaker Amy Povah goes deep and wide in this illuminating documentary, which exposes government hypocrisy and misinformation. It puts forth the thesis that public perception of marijuana is based on a long history of negative propaganda and political agendas, thereby enabling a fruitless drug war.
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Dazed and Confused (1993)
> Starring: Jason London, Wiley Wiggins, Matthew McConaughey, Rory Cochrane
Few films capture the spirit of an era like Richard Linklater’s masterpiece, set on the last day of high school in 1976. Alcohol and marijuana weave in and out of the narrative, which slowly builds toward a massive outdoor party. A non-stop soundtrack of classic rock tunes drives home the nostalgic vibe.
The Gentlemen (2019)
> Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Michelle Dockery, Jeremy Strong
London-based kingpin Michael Pearson (Matthew McConaughey) is selling off his marijuana empire in this stylish crime comedy from Guy Ritchie. With millions of dollars in product on the line, various criminals enact a winner-takes-all scenario.
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Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)
> Starring: John Cho, Kal Penn, Ethan Embry, Rob Tinkler
One of the most iconic stoner comedies in recent memory sends Harold (John Cho) and Kumar (Kal Penn) on a smoke-filled search for delicious White Castle burgers. Their seemingly simple mission is constantly derailed by everyone from wily raccoons to a demented Neil Patrick Harris. While farcical in tone, the film expertly upends stereotypes in nearly every scene.
The Marijuana Show (2014)
> Starring: Karen J. Paull, Wendy Robbins, Justin Henry
Often described as “the Shark Tank of marijuana,” this reality show follows producers Karen Paull and Wendy Robbins as they look for the next great cannabis entrepreneur. Visiting with various innovators, they reward a lucky winner with a small fortune in start-up money. It originally aired as a web series before landing on Amazon Prime.
Cooked with Cannabis (2020)
> Starring: Kelis, Leather Storrs, Flula Borg, Jade Catta-Preta
Putting a pot-centric twist on the standard cooking competition, this Netflix series challenges three chefs to use cannabis as a main ingredient. The winner of each episode walks away with $10,000 in cash. Good luck finding the show in Singapore, where it was pulled following demands from the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).
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Dude (2018)
> Starring: Lucy Hale, Kathryn Prescott, Alexandra Shipp, Awkwafina
In this coming-of-age dramedy, a group of high school friends prepare for graduation while grappling with the loss of a loved one. Marijuana is used as a tie that binds and also an occasional plot point. The characters are particularly clever when it comes to naming their paraphernalia, such as Donkey Bong, Jon Bong Jovi, Sean Bongery, and Bong Connery.
Grass is Greener (2019)
> Starring: B-Real, Steven Hager, Damian Marley, Snoop Dogg
Hip-hop icon Fab Five Freddy directed and narrates this provocative Netflix documentary, which calls upon a number of fellow tokers and industry legends. Putting decades of history in its crosshairs, the film peels back the curtain on America’s racially unjust drug war.
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Weeds (2005)
> Starring: Mary-Louise Parker, Hunter Parrish, Alexander Gould, Kevin Nealon
To support both her family and her lifestyle, a suburban widow and mother (Mary-Louise Parker) becomes the neighborhood pot dealer. The smash Showtime series grew darker as it progressed over the course of eight seasons. A spinoff called “Weeds 4.20” is reportedly in development.
Weed the People (2018)
> Starring: Amanda Reiman, Donald Abrams, Bonni Goldstein, Ethan Nadelmann
This revealing Netflix documentary depicts young cancer patients and their struggle to use marijuana for medicinal purposes. Six years in the making, it argues for increased research and against prohibitive legislation. Actor and TV personality Ricki Lake executive produced.
Birds of Passage (2018)
> Starring: Carmiña Martínez, José Acosta, Natalia Reyes, Jhon Narváez
This acclaimed Colombian crime drama channels the rise of the drug trade through the story of a tribal family. Spanning the 1960s and 1970s, it sees a thriving business fall victim to corruption and conflict. Filmmakers Cristina Gallego and Ciro Guerra spent 10 years putting the movie together and based some of its events on real-life stories.
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High Maintenance (2016)
> Starring: Ben Sinclair, Kate Lyn Sheil, Britt Lower, Abdullah Saeed
HBO’s low-key anthology series uses a New York pot dealer (Ben Sinclair) and his product to thread a line between various personal stories. It initially premiered on Vimeo before arriving on premium cable in a half-hour format. While never a big draw, the show did earn itself rave reviews and a loyal cult following.
Inherent Vice (2014)
> Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Josh Brolin, Owen Wilson, Katherine Waterston
Based on Thomas Pynchon’s novel, this noirish thriller takes place in a California beach town circa 1970. Fueled by a steady marijuana diet, private investigator Larry “Doc” Sportello (Joaquin Phoenix) looks into the disappearance of a former girlfriend. Director Paul Thomas Anderson drew inspiration from Cheech and Chong when creating the work and its stoner milieu.
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Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny (2006)
> Starring: Jack Black, Kyle Gass, JR Reed, Ronnie James Dio
First introduced in “Clerks,” stoners Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith) break out on their own in this raucous comedy. Upon learning that they’re the subject of a major film, the duo embarks on a road trip to Hollywood. Excessive pot use and crazy antics ensue.
Bong Appetit (2016)
> Starring: Abdullah Saeed, Vanessa Lavorato, Ry Prichard, B-Real
Host Abdullah Saeed invites viewers to the world’s most enjoyable dinner parties, where talented chefs create appetizing edibles. Each culinary cook-off features a rotating panel of guest judges, many of whom are well-known celebrities and cannabis advocates.
Weediquette (2016)
> Starring: Krishna Andavolu, Jason Cranford, Catherine Lewis, Alan Amsterdam
One of the earliest shows on Viceland follows host Krishna Andavolu into every possible corner of the cannabis industry. It aired for three seasons and featured an infamous segment, during which Andavolu lit up a joint while interviewing Uruguay’s President José Mujica.
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Grandma’s Boy (2006)
> Starring: Allen Covert, Linda Cardellini, Shirley Jones, Peter Dante
Reviled by critics, this Happy Madison production nevertheless holds a special place in the hearts of many viewers. Allen Covert co-wrote and also stars, playing a 35-year-old video game tester who moves in with his grandma. Marijuana use abounds.
Dude, Where’s My Car? (2000)
> Starring: Ashton Kutcher, Seann William Scott, Jennifer Garner, Marla Sokoloff
After a long night of partying, two potheads (Ashton Kutcher and Seann William Scott) can’t remember where they left their car. The duo’s subsequent journey was a surprise hit at the box office, earning over $73 million worldwide on a budget of approximately $13 million.
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Soul Plane (2004)
> Starring: Dwayne Adway, Snoop Dogg, Tom Arnold, Kevin Hart
Welcome to the maiden voyage of N.W.A. — the first Black-owned airline company — departing out of the Malcolm X terminal. With Snoop Dogg playing one of the airline pilots, this crude comedy goes exactly where viewers might expect. Star Kevin Hart attributes some of its box office disappointment to a thriving bootleg market.
How High (2001)
> Starring: Method Man, Redman, Obba Babatundé, Mike Epps
Frequent collaborators Method Man and Redman uncover magic marijuana in this cult stoner comedy. With every puff comes the temporary gift of super-intelligence, allowing the pair to ace their college entrance exams. Both stars contributed heavily to the soundtrack, which features a full slate of hip hop talent.
Half Baked (1998)
> Starring: Dave Chappelle, Guillermo Díaz, Jim Breuer, Harland Williams
Before launching his eponymous sketch show, comedian Dave Chappelle was best known as the lead star of this irreverent comedy. He and his cohorts enact a lucrative drug dealing scheme, which makes them the target of a local kingpin. One of its best sequences covers the various types of stoners and features a cameo from Jon Stewart as the “enhancement smoker.”
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Super Troopers (2001)
> Starring: Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, André Vippolis, Joey Kern
Jay Chandrasekhar and his Broken Lizard comedy troupe present this cult smash, which centers on a group of sophomoric state troopers. Things get real — but remain quite absurd — when the team uncovers a dangerous drug ring. It was followed by a sequel.
Reefer Madness (1936)
> Starring: Dorothy Short, Kenneth Craig, Lillian Miles, Dave O’Brien
This campy slice of anti-pot propaganda was re-cut for the exploitation market and later embraced as a work of unintentional satire. Follow three innocent teens into the world of reefer cigarettes and contemporary jazz music. Their addiction gives way to various forms of illicit behavior, including murder.
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Nice Dreams (1981)
> Starring: Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong, Benita Barrie, Sandra Bernhard
Stoner legends Cheech and Chong return for their third feature film, in which they sell pot out of an ice cream truck. When a new strain turns smokers into lizards, their profitable business comes crashing down. LSD guru Timothy Leary makes a brief cameo.
We’re The Millers (2013)
> Starring: Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Emma Roberts, Ed Helms
Tasked with moving large amounts of pot across the border, a small-time dealer (Jason Sudeikis) recruits a group of misfits as a makeshift family. The road trip that follows combines outrageous comedy with occasional character-building. It earned just under $270 million at the worldwide box office.
Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas (1998)
> Starring: Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro, Tobey Maguire, Michael Lee Gogin
Marijuana is but one among a legion of drugs to appear in this big screen adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson’s seminal novel. To quote Thompson (played by Johnny Depp) directly, he travels to Las Vegas with “two bags of grass, seventy-five pellets of mescaline, five sheets of high-powered blotter acid, a salt shaker half full of cocaine, and a whole galaxy of multi-colored uppers, downers, screamers, laughers…and also a quart of tequila, a quart of rum, a case of Budweiser, a pint of raw ether, and two dozen amyls.”
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Ted (2012)
> Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Seth MacFarlane, Joel McHale
“Family Guy” co-creator Seth MacFarlane brought a similar sensibility to this blockbuster comedy, about a stuffed bear sprung to life. As the bear and his best friend (Mark Wahlberg) become adults, their stoner antics inhibit personal growth.
Fast Times At Ridgemont High (1982)
> Starring: Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Robert Romanus
This groundbreaking classic redefined teen dramedy for the modern era, presciently tackling issues of sex and drugs. Sean Penn plays resident stoner Jeff Spicoli, the film’s most consistent source of comic relief. It’s all based on a book by future filmmaker Cameron Crowe, who also wrote the screenplay.
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Friday (1995)
> Starring: Ice Cube, Chris Tucker, Nia Long, Tom Lister Jr.
Ice Cube co-wrote, executive produced, and stars in this iconic comedy, set over the course of a single day in South Central. It features a breakthrough performance from Chris Tucker, who plays an endlessly quotable drug dealer named Smokey. Two sequels followed.
The Big Lebowski (1998)
> Starring: Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi
Leave it to the Coen Brothers to reinterpret classic detective noir through the misadventures of a lackadaisical stoner (Jeff Bridges). What begins as a case of mistaken identity becomes a complex tale of kidnapping, pornography, auto theft, and bowling tournaments. This is a film so beloved that it continues to inspire its own festivals.
Easy Rider (1969)
> Starring: Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Jack Nicholson, Antonio Mendoza
Dennis Hopper’s epochal road trip movie helped usher in a new Hollywood era. It follows two drug-dealing bikers (Hopper and Peter Fonda) into the heart of the south, where they brush up against hostile locals. Jack Nicholson earned an Oscar nomination for his breakout performance in a supporting role.
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Mac & Devin Go to High School (2012)
> Starring: Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, Mike Epps, Teairra Mari
Snoop Dogg brings his well-known love of ganja to the character of Mac Johnson, who’s going on his 15th year of high school. With help from overachiever Devin Overstreet (Wiz Khalifa), Johnson might graduate once and for all. The film was released straight to DVD and Blu-Ray and is now available to stream.
Game Over, Man! (2018)
> Starring: Adam Devine, Anders Holm, Blake Anderson, Chloe Bridges
From the pot-loving team behind “Workaholics” comes this Netflix action comedy, in which they play aspiring video game developers. While pitching their idea to a powerful social media influencer, the trio suddenly finds themselves in the midst of a hostage situation. Everything about this one is over the top, for better or worse.
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How High 2 (2019)
> Starring: Lil Yachty, D.C. Young Fly, Mike Epps, Alyssa Goss
A pale shadow of its predecessor, this made-for-TV comedy sends two stoners (Lil Yachty and D.C. Young Fly) on a city-wide search for their missing stash. Redman and Method Man — who both starred in the first film — passed on the project after it spent years in development.
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