The Excellence Eighties were a crazy time. 80s stoner movies were so popular people were basically throwing out their popcorn for marijuana seeds (kidding).
It was a raving-mad era, especially for the cinema scene. The movie industry flourished, and many titles have cult followings to this day.
Read this list of the top six stoner flicks and take your trip (pun intended) back to the 80s. Feel free to drop your favorite titles in the comments.
1. Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie (1980)
It doesn’t get more 420-friendly than a Cheech & Chong flick. Any of their movies would be the ultimate pick for a “weed in the 80s” cinematic experience.
In Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie, you get a whole load of dirty, vulgar humor that’ll have you laughing your pants off.
The plot revolves around the pair driving through LA and sprinkling their unique brand of crazy. They find themselves out of work and looking for something to do when suddenly, it comes knocking on the door.
Cheech’s cousin, “Red” Mendoza, arrives and turns the whole movie on its head. In one hilarious scene, Tommy sets the car on fire when lighting his joint.
They get up to insane antics, experience a series of misadventures, and smoke an unbelievable amount of weed.
2. Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)
Although it’s not an obvious 80s stoner show, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure is an “excellent” vintage flick to watch high.
This movie is ideal for those who enjoy a mix of genres. It’s funny, action-packed, and gripping. If you’re a sci-fi lover but want something less intense than Harry Potter, give it a try.
It’s about a pair of high school friends; Bill, played by Alex Winter, and Ted, played by Keanu Reeves. They start a band but are failing history class. If they don’t pass, Ted’s parents will send him to military school.
Together with a time traveler from the future, Rufus, they go back to important events in history (talk about learning from experience). Afterward, they return to their time to deliver an exciting and informative presentation.
It combines sci-fi, comedy, and occasional breaking of the third wall for the ultimate stoner experience.
3. The Breakfast Club (1985)
This coming-of-age 80s stoner movie takes you back to trying your first blunt in high school. Sporadic cannabis mentions tease you throughout the show, but one scene has the characters smoking a joint in the library.
It revolves around five teens from different high schools who all get stuck in Saturday detention. They fit the categories of typical stereotypes. There’s the nerd, the popular girl, the basketcase, the athlete, and the rebel.
At first, they clash, but as the day goes by, they open up to each other. They talk about the pressures they face trying to live up to people’s expectations and even smoke a joint together.
It’s one of the most popular 80s films because it has a depth of layers that go beyond school. This comedy-drama makes you laugh while entertaining your deep philosophical thoughts about the rigidity of society’s constructs.
4. Better Off Dead (1985)
This dark movie lights the spark in your high mind, especially if you pair it with some weed from the 80s. Better Off Dead is a rom-com that ticks all the boxes. It’s hilarious, dark, and deep.
Follow the life of Lane Meyer, a teen obsessed with his beautiful girlfriend, Beth. He goes down a spiral of half-assed suicide attempts when she dumps him.
After many unsuccessful efforts, he postpones taking his own life and challenges Beth’s new boyfriend instead. Lane attempts to beat him on the K12 slope and reclaim his lover’s heart.
It has a classic love triangle that’ll turn you to mush, but the dark themes keep things exciting. This show isn’t your typical rom-com, but when you’re stoned, it gives you all the butterflies.
5. Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
Here comes another 80s stoner coming-of-age drama perfect for blazing up and getting trapped in the raging rumors of school halls.
It follows high school students with all their unique quirks and desires. The plot revolves around Jeff Spicoli, a surfer dude who’s always high, and Stacy Hamilton and Mark Ratner, looking for love.
The antagonist is Mr. Hand, an American History teacher who is a strict disciplinarian. He’s convinced all his students are on dope, especially Spicoli.
There’s one scene that’s especially good for triggering the munchies. It’s when Spicoli orders a double sausage and cheese pizza for delivery to the classroom. Fun fact: this was a popular topping choice at restaurants in the 80s.
Mr. Hand is upset and asks what Spicoli is doing, and he replies, “Learning about Cuba and having some food.” Mr. Hand was probably jealous because that pizza looked so divine.
6. Back to the Future (1985)
If you love Rick and Morty, why not watch the original inspiration? The concept was derived from a parody of Back to the Future.
This sci-fi classic is set in sunny California, where ordinary teen Marty McFly goes back to the 50s. How does he travel through time? He has a scientist friend, Doc Brown, who performs crazy experiments. He puts Marty in a time machine, and everything goes downhill from there.
Marty has to make sure his parents fall in love, or his existence is at stake. He also has to go back to his own time to save Doc. It’s an edge-of-your-seat show that’ll have you eating the whole bag of popcorn 20 minutes in.
It’s not traditionally a stoner movie, but many weed smokers love Back to the Future because of the crazy experiments. The concept of time travel is something most people think about when high, and now you can also entertain those thoughts.
