Best Movies to Watch High (that Aren’t Stoner Flicks)

A good movie often pairs well with a relaxing smoke sesh. As you search for the next film to watch, you may find you’ve seen the same stoner classics more than a few times and are in need of a ‘never seen by you before’ movie to play. 

This guide focuses on movies that pair well with cannabis because of how they look, sound, feel, or unfold, rather than simply being comedies to giggle at while high.

How to Pick the Best Movies to Watch High

Choosing a movie to watch while high doesn’t have to mean scrolling endlessly or defaulting to the stoner classic, like Half Baked or Pineapple Express. Although those are great films to watch on repeat,  a few other considerations in your selection can change up the viewing experience.

Step 1: Start With the Vibe You Want

Before you choose a title, consider how you want to feel.

• Do you want something calming and immersive?
• Something visually trippy or imaginative?
• Or something funny and familiar that doesn’t require much brainpower?

Just like choosing a cozy game over a competitive one, matching the movie’s vibe to your mood matters more than the genre.

Step 2: Look for Atmosphere Over Plot

Movies that pair well with cannabis often lean heavily on visuals, sound, or world-building rather than dense storytelling.

Slow camera movements, rich soundtracks, and striking imagery can feel particularly engaging. That's helpful if you’re not laser-focused on every plot detail.

Step 3: Pay Attention to Pacing

Fast cuts and nonstop action can feel chaotic while high. A steady pace or a predictable rhythm makes it easier to relax and stay engaged without feeling overstimulated.

This is especially helpful if you’re winding down or watching late at night.

Step 4: Decide How Much Mental Effort You Want

Some movies invite deep thought. Others are better for half-watching while your mind drifts.

If you don’t want to think too hard, comedies with visual humor or familiar storylines are great picks. If you do want to think, movies that explore memory, time, or big ideas can feel surprisingly profound.

Step 5: Don’t Underestimate Comfort Picks

Rewatching a movie you already know can still be a win. Familiar scenes reduce mental effort and let you focus more on how the movie feels. You know the plot, now it's time to kick back and enjoy the music, visuals, or emotional beats in a whole new way.

There’s no universal “best” movie to watch high. The goal is to match the movie’s energy to your mindset, setting, and comfort level, and let the experience unfold naturally from there.

Top Movies to Watch High – That Aren’t Just Classic Stoner Flicks

Quickview:

• 2001: A Space Odyssey
• Spirited Away
• Fantastic Planet?
• Avatar
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
• Monty Python and the Holy Grail
• Shaun of the Dead
• The Grand Budapest Hotel (among other Wes Anderson films)
• David Attenborough nature documentary
• Fight Club
• Donnie Darko
• Across the Universe
• Pulp Fiction
• School of Rock
• The Matrix
• The Fifth Element
• Groundhog Day
• Face/Off
• The Big Lebowski
• Dude, Where's My Car?
• Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny
• Anchorman (and: Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues)
• Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
• Men in Black
• Interstellar
• The Dark Crystal
• Airplane and Airplane 2
• Hook

2001: A Space Odyssey

A largely dialogue-free sci-fi film about human evolution, artificial intelligence, and space exploration. Its long stretches of silence, classical music, and hypnotic visuals make it ideal for watching high without needing to track constant plot beats.

Spirited Away

A young girl becomes trapped in a mysterious spirit world and must work to free herself and her parents. The story is easy to follow, but the hand-drawn visuals, surreal creatures, and emotional pacing become especially absorbing while high.

Fantastic Planet

A surreal animated sci-fi film about humans living as pets under a giant alien species. Its strange art style, minimal dialogue, and symbolic storytelling make it engaging even if you’re not fully focused on narrative details.

Avatar

Set on a lush alien planet, the film follows a human who integrates into an Indigenous alien culture. The plot is straightforward, which makes it easy to follow, while the glowing landscapes and immersive sound design do most of the heavy lifting.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

A nonlinear love story about erasing memories after a breakup. Watching high can make the emotional transitions, visual metaphors, and fragmented structure feel more intuitive rather than confusing.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

A deliberately absurd retelling of the King Arthur legend. Since there is almost no real plot continuity, it works well for casual viewing, where you can laugh at individual scenes without staying fully engaged.

Shaun of the Dead

A zombie apocalypse comedy centered on an ordinary guy who barely notices the world ending. The humor is visual and situational, which makes it easier to enjoy while high than dialogue-heavy comedies.

The Grand Budapest Hotel

A stylized caper about a hotel concierge and a stolen painting. The symmetrical shots, color palettes, and exaggerated performances make it visually engaging even if you lose track of the layered plot.

David Attenborough nature documentary

Real-world footage of animals and ecosystems narrated in a calm, steady voice. There is no storyline to follow, which makes it one of the lowest-effort, most relaxing options while high.

Fight Club

A psychological drama about identity, consumerism, and masculinity. Watching this film high can make its unreliable narration and visual symbolism stand out more clearly, though it’s better suited for viewers who want to engage mentally.

Donnie Darko

A surreal coming-of-age story involving time loops, visions, and paranoia. The film does not fully explain itself, which makes it either frustrating or fascinating, depending on your mindset.

Across the Universe

A loose narrative built around Beatles songs, set during the Vietnam War era. The plot is secondary to the music and visuals, making it easier to enjoy as an audiovisual experience rather than a story-driven one.

Pulp Fiction

Interwoven crime stories told out of chronological order. Because many scenes work as standalone moments, it’s easy to drop in without needing to remember what came before.

School of Rock

A slacker poses as a substitute teacher and turns a classroom into a rock band. The straightforward plot and familiar music make it an easy, upbeat watch while high.

The Matrix

A hacker learns that reality is a simulated system controlled by machines. The action scenes and philosophical questions both tend to feel more pronounced while high.

The Fifth Element

A futuristic action film built around exaggerated characters and colorful visuals. The plot is simple enough to follow, while the costumes and world design keep it entertaining.

Groundhog Day

A man relives the same day repeatedly and slowly changes his outlook on life. The repetition and gradual character shift can feel more noticeable and satisfying while high.

Face/Off

An intentionally over-the-top action movie where two enemies swap faces. The absurd premise makes it easy to enjoy without taking anything seriously.

The Big Lebowski

A laid-back mystery centered on a bowling-loving slacker. The plot barely matters, which makes it more about tone, dialogue, and recurring jokes.

Dude, Where’s My Car?

Two friends try to remember what happened during a blackout night. The story is intentionally dumb and repetitive, which makes it low-effort viewing.

Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny

A fictionalized origin story of a rock band chasing a magical guitar pick. The humor is broad and musical, making it easy to follow without focus.

Anchorman

A parody of 1970s broadcast news culture built on improvised jokes. Since many scenes stand alone, it works well for half-watching.

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

A louder, more chaotic sequel focused on cable news satire. Best treated as background comedy rather than a must-follow plot.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

A sci-fi comedy about an ordinary man traveling through space after Earth is destroyed. The humor is conceptual and absurd, which can land better when you’re relaxed.

Men in Black

A buddy-cop movie involving secret alien immigration on Earth. The clear structure and visual effects make it easy to enjoy without mental strain.

Interstellar

A space exploration story centered on time dilation and human survival. The emotional score and visuals often carry scenes even if the science gets dense.

The Dark Crystal

A dark fantasy film using puppetry to tell a simple good-versus-evil story. The tactile visuals and strange creatures are the main draw.

Airplane!

A nonstop parody filled with visual jokes and wordplay. Missing jokes does not affect enjoyment because another one follows immediately.

Airplane II: The Sequel

A space-themed follow-up with the same rapid-fire gag structure. Best watched casually rather than for plot continuity.

Hook

A grown-up Peter Pan returns to Neverland. Nostalgia, bright sets, and simple emotional beats make it a comforting watch.

Set and Setting: the Ultimate Movie Experience with Weed

Once you’ve picked the right movie, the set and setting determine whether the experience feels immersive and enjoyable or distracting and uncomfortable.

In cannabis culture, set and setting refer to the mental state you bring into an experience and the environment you create around it. Both play a big role in how a movie feels while high.

Setting: Build an Environment That Supports Focus

A few small adjustments can make a big difference once the movie starts.

• Lighting: Dim or indirect lighting reduces eye strain and helps maintain focus on the screen. Bright overhead lighting tends to draw attention away from the movie.
• Seating: Choose a position that allows you to fully relax without constantly shifting. Pillows, blankets, or a reclined seat help you settle in for the duration.
• Sound: Clear audio matters more than volume. If dialogue-heavy scenes feel muddy, subtitles can help without breaking immersion.
• Temperature: Feeling too warm or too cold becomes more noticeable when you’re high. Adjust the room before pressing play.

Set: Keep the Headspace Low-Pressure

Your mindset going into the movie matters just as much as the physical setup.

• Release expectations: You don’t need to fully understand or “get” everything you’re watching. Letting go of the need to follow every detail makes the experience smoother.
• Minimize interruptions: Silence notifications, queue the movie ahead of time, and avoid multitasking. Fewer external inputs make it easier to stay present.
• Know your limits: If something starts to feel too intense or confusing, pausing or switching movies is part of a good set and setting, not a failure.

Cannabis Choices That Pair Well With Movie Nights

Different cannabis experiences can change how a movie feels. For many people, strains associated with deeper relaxation and body comfort are easier to pair with longer films or slower pacing. Indica-leaning options are often chosen for evening viewing, especially when the goal is to wind down rather than stay alert.

When Everything Clicks

When your environment feels comfortable, and your mindset is relaxed, movies tend to feel more immersive and less demanding. Set and setting don’t need to be elaborate. The goal is simply to support the experience you’ve already chosen, so the movie can do what it’s meant to do.

The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.