Shubhabrata Dutta
Diksha Sundriyal
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, to a normal audience, may not seem apparent. 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. One thing, however, is common across all stoner movies – they don’t follow any storyline or technicalities (typically) and also have a bizarre setting that is hard to decipher (stoned or not, either way), and one has to look at them whilst being 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. The Watch (2012)
Starring Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill, Richard Ayoade, and Erin Moriarty, ‘The Watch’ follows four guys who team up to serve as their neighborhood’s watch group named Neighborhood Watch. Goofy in their own ways, Evan, Bob, Franklin, and Jamarcus become an unusual pack whose party-fitted one-night-a-week shifts become a lot more interesting and potentially fatal after an alien invasion in their town. As they fight the extraterrestrials off, you tend to ask yourself only one question: Who are weirder? The aliens? Or the Neighborhood Watch? Directed by Akiva Schaffer, ‘The Watch’ can be watched right 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 are not going to 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 decides to plan a scenic vacation with his fiancée, Emily, to an exotic location in Mexico. The couple expects that 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 penned by Crandall and Chris Kemper, ‘Bromates’ is the embodiment of 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 they were children. 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. Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)
‘Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping’ is a musical comedy film directed by Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone. This mockumentary comedy follows the roller-coaster career of Connor4Real, an egotistical pop and rap superstar. When his latest album, ConnQuest, flops, Connor tries every possible gimmick to save his dwindling career and reclaim his fame, but he avoids the one thing that might truly work: reuniting with his former rap group, The Style Boyz. This film, a razor-sharp satire on today’s music industry and celebrity antics, features Andy Samberg’s comedic prowess, hilariously absurd songs, and countless celebrity cameos. Its tongue-in-cheek humor and lighthearted tone make it an excellent pick for audiences searching for a hearty laugh. You can watch ‘Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping’ here.
5. War Dogs (2016)
A Todd Phillips directorial venture, ‘War Dogs’ is based on a 2011 Rolling Stone article by Guy Lawson and ‘Once a Gun Runner,’ the 2016 memoir by Efraim Diveroli. Despite this, the narrative is heavily fictionalized. The plot revolves around Diveroli (Jonah Hill) and David Packouz (Miles Teller), American arms dealers who become ammunition suppliers for the Afghan National Army after signing a $300 million contract with the US Army. At the start of the film, Packouz’s business of selling high-quality bedsheets to retirement homes fails, and his girlfriend tells him that she is pregnant. Desperate, Packouz accepts when Diveroli asks him to come work for him. Soon enough, Packouz becomes so entrenched in that world that he cannot escape. You may watch the movie here to find out how the two guys end up.
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 introspective experience for audiences seeking a mind-bending cinematic escape. You can watch it here.
3. The Brass Teapot (2013)
‘The Brass Teapot’ is a dark comedy that takes a whimsical twist on the classic cautionary tale. Juno Temple and Michael Angarano star as a young couple who stumble upon a magical teapot that grants wealth whenever they endure physical pain. As they delve into bizarre challenges, the film blends humor with a touch of absurdity. What makes ‘The Brass Teapot’ a standout stoner movie is its surreal premise and offbeat humor, providing a trippy and entertaining experience for audiences in search of a unique, mind-bending journey that aligns perfectly with the spirit of stoner cinema. 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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