The 35 Best Movies to Watch High

Idiocracy was a good watch in 2006 for the jokes, but the political climate of the past few years has given it even more appeal as it foreshadowed elements of a not-so-distant future. Overall, the themes of Idiocracy are prescient and even greater than the jokes—which are pretty solid as well. If you haven't watched it in years, consider rolling something up and giving it a watch.

Alright, there was going to have to be room for some dedicated stoner movies on here as well, and no film in the genre is quite as well-known as Chappelle's Half Baked. While the stoner comedy certainly won't be winning any Academy Awards, the jokes are on brand for a good smoke session, and the cameos alone are enough to spark your interest throughout.

If you've never gotten stoned and watched a kung fu movie, you should stop reading this list right now and do so. Stephen Chow's Kung Fu Hustle is just so well suited to a smoke session. Despite being a live action movie, Chow integrates so many aspects of cartoonishness throughout, keeping you on your toes the whole time. The fights are incredible, the jokes land and the visuals are interesting. What more could you want?

If you couldn't tell, I'm a bit of a sucker for "bad" movies that went on to have an immense cult following. Pootie Tang is no exception. Adapted from a comedy sketch that was first included in the Chris Rock Show, Pootie Tang is absurd, it's ridiculous, and it pairs nicely with a smoke.

Although he isn't in it, Adam Sandler produced Grandma's Boy, and so it makes for a great watch for fans of his other entries. The weed scene is one of the best of all time: "This shit'll be on the Discovery Channel."

This is the kind of movie that begs the question, "What the hell is going on?" even when sober, so it makes for an exceptionally thrilling stoned watch. This isn't a comedy like the others on the list, but more of a mind bender, so watch at your own risk.

One of the most quoteable, memeable movies of all time. This is easy viewing, and a great option for a lazy day of smoking.

This is a quintessential stoner comedy about a squad of incompetent state troopers. The first scene alone, which finds a group of stoners forced to consume their bud to avoid repercussions, is worth a watch all alone. This one is also chock full of quotables: "Alright, meow where were we?"

The genre of dual live action / animation has certainly fallen out of fashion in recent years, but this is about as good as it gets. Watching this makes me wonder why the genre has fallen out of fashion, as the silly cross-format gives the film an uncanny feeling unlike any other. And there's nothing quite like a mystery when you're stoned to keep your interest throughout.

If your childhood teddy bear was brought to life, how would that affect your life as a single adult? That's the question Ted tries to answer over the course of its gleeful 112 minutes, relying on a wonderful chemistry between voice actor Seth MacFarlane and Mark Wahlberg playing what essentially feels like a fictionalized version of his own Boston persona.

The late 90s was such a golden age of animated television and movies, and South Park's first foray into film was a cornerstone of the era, packed with the show's trademark crass humor and some unexpected cameos. By using a film runtime (which clocks in at a brief 81 minutes), Trey Parker and Matt Stone really just give themselves more time to let the absurdity of a usual South Park storyline unravel to new heights.

Another project from South Park's Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Team America is a rendition of the duo's trademark obscenity, but instead repackaged in a unique amalgam of puppetry and miniatures. It also doubles as a funny critique of the military industrial complex and the war on terror.

Another Stephen Chow joint, Shaolin soccer brings the larger than life acrobatics of Kung Fu movies into the sports realm. This makes for a great double feature with Kung Fu hustle.

One of the greatest sci-fi movies of all time, the original Matrix film is the perfect combination of action, interesting visuals and brain-bending concepts for a perfect stoned experience.

The Big Lebowski may just be the stoner movie on this list that could also be considered the best "traditional" movie. Stoners and non-stoners rejoice at the exploits of the Dude, who is suddenly thrust into a complex mystery that will have you scratching your head throughout. For a stoner flick, the narrative is actually kind of complicated, but the performances of Jeff Bridges and John Goodman alone are so hysterical and memorable that you barely need to follow the through-line to keep up.

Not all movies to watch while high need to necessarily be about marijuana itself, but Pineapple Express is centered on the world of cannabis. The film popularized the eponymous strain and reignited interest in cross joints and other silly smoking mechanics; this is a go-to movie for me.

Loosely based on a Hunter S. Thompson novel, this flick follows Johnny Depp as a Raoul Duke on a series of hallucinogenic adventures. It has a killer cast, fun story and trippy visuals. What more do you need?

I'm including the first Jay and Silent Bob movie on this list, but pretty much any of the film's helmed by the duo (or even the Clerks movies) make for good stoned viewing.

This is the film that started the franchise of sex comedy / coming of age films and TV shows, and the first is the best. No movie has quite captured this genre of high school virginity core quite like the OG; it's as American as apple pie.

Shrek is the kind of movie that you loved as a kid, but find that it has even more innuendoes and adult-targeted jokes than you thought on rewatches. It's also just such a short and easy watch, with just enough action, comedy and charm to keep you interested.

Part of what makes Shrek 2 so amazing is how it capitalizes on the success of the musical scenes from the original, incorporating more songs, like the iconic "I Need a Hero" scene. Honestly, Shrek 2 is probably funnier than the original and gets better on rewatches.

It doesn't get more heart-warming than Happy Feet. The animation was ahead of its time, the penguins are just so much fun to look at and the music keeps you laser-focused.

As I mentioned earlier when talking about Who Framed Roger Rabbit, mystery films make great fodder for stoned viewing sessions. Even if it's a rewatch, they keep your attention because you want to either find out what happens or try and catch hints and foreshadowing throughout. This is Jim Carrey in his element and for 90s kids, about as nostalgic as it gets.

"70% of the time, it works every time." Anchorman is one of the most quotable movies of all time, and with good reason. Every member of the main cast just delivers each line so memorably, so many moments are etched in my brain.

In the early 2000s, no one could quite make us laugh like Jon Heder. His physicality alone is comedy gold. The storyline is amazing, Heder's comic chops are unparalleled and the climax is pure bliss.

This is one of the movies on this list that falls firmly into the "what the hell is going on?" camp. From a visual perspective, it's just so interesting to watch, between the iconic set design, costuming and incredible props. This a joyride when you're stoned.

Go ahead and watch the river boat scene from this movie stoned and tell me it doesn't get you absolutely buzzing. The music is amazing, the set design is immaculate and the unraveling storyline keeps your attention. This might not be the first movie that comes to mind when you're picking something to watch after a smoke, but I suggest it.

Sometimes you gotta just throw on a pure hype movie when you're stoned to activate the adrenaline. If that's what you're looking for, look no further.

See above.

The first scene from this movie is the greatest "this guy rocks" intro of all time. Mike Myers is so funny in this, and—especially if you're a fan of classic Bond films (which this parodies), this is such an absolute joy to watch. The sequels certainly ain't bad either.

Spoiler alert: The Hangover takes place because of Alan putting roofies in everyone’s drinks at the top of the movie, but it’s definitely a plot that could have taken place off some exceptional weed too. Tigers in bathrooms, Mike Tyson singing Phil Collins, this one has it all. 

This movie has the kind of plot that only a stoner can fully appreciate and get on board with. An interviewer of the stars, played by James Franco, has gained Kim Jong-Un as a fan and as a result, can get close to him and is tasked with killing him. All of the wacky comedy along the way is exactly what you should smoke to this weekend.

If this movie doesn’t make you laugh hysterically at least a few times, it might be the weed… Forgetting Sarah Marshall has an all-star cast that all deliver in their roles, no matter how big or small (stick around for the scene during the credits).

This is now a GRAMMY winner and though it has a heavy conclusion and a message you can take away from it, it can also be enjoyed on a more surface level for how left-field most of it is. Travelling the multiverse when you’re high is a great experience. Speaking of which…

This film could be here for its art style alone, which of course is only enhanced when high. But underneath that is a touching story that’s arguably the best out there involved your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man.