Happy 4/20: Baller Alert’s Top 10 Stoner Movies for the Ultimate High Holiday

Today marks the ultimate chill day for weed enthusiasts everywhere—it’s 4/20! Whether you’re rolling up with blunts, bongs, vapes, or paper planes, or indulging in the potent pleasures of edibles, one thing’s for sure! Whether you’re rolling up with blunts, bongs, vapes, or paper planes, or indulging in the potent pleasures of edibles, one thing’s for sure: you’ll need some killer vibes to match your high. And what better way to light up your day than with a lineup of the best stoner movies?

We’ve curated a list of our top ten favorite films that celebrate the culture with plenty of laughs to elevate your 4/20 experience.

Kicking off our list, and in no particular order, here’s a stoner classic you can’t miss:

1. How High (2001)– Dive into the smoke-filled antics of Method Man and Redman in this 2001 comedy. Playing two lovable slackers, they stumble upon a supernatural way to ace their SATs—by smoking the ashes of their genius friend, which magically allows them to see and communicate with him. What follows is a hilarious journey through college life, loaded with outrageous escapades and plenty of smoke sessions. “How High” is a must-watch that delivers laughs and some unexpected heartfelt moments, making it a perfect start to any 4/20 movie marathon.

2. Half Baked (1998)– No stoner movie list is complete without “Half Baked.” This comedy classic stars Dave Chappelle, Jim Breuer, Harland Williams, and Guillermo Díaz. The plot kicks off when Thurgood Jenkins (played by Chappelle), a janitor who humorously refers to himself as a “master of the custodial arts,” and his friends Brian and Scarface need to come up with $100,000 to bail out their friend Kenny. Their solution? Selling marijuana they’ve pilfered from the lab where Thurgood works. Their business booms, disrupting the local drug lord, Samson Simpson’s, operations. Amid the chaos, Thurgood finds himself falling for a woman named Mary Jane, who, ironically, isn’t too keen on pot smokers. Balancing their burgeoning drug enterprise, a budding romance, and staying off Samson’s radar makes for a hilarious adventure. “Half Baked” delivers a perfect blend of comedy and cannabis-fueled escapades, making it a staple in the stoner film genre.

3. Cheech & Chong: Up In Smoke (1978) – It’s impossible to discuss stoner cinema without mentioning the iconic duo Cheech and Chong. “Up In Smoke,” their debut film, is a quintessential pick. The story follows the misadventures of two stoners who accidentally become drug smugglers when they drive a van made entirely of marijuana from Mexico to L.A. All the while, they are blissfully unaware of the bumbling Sgt. Stedenko hot on their trail. This film set the standard for stoner comedies with its hilarious escapades and laid-back vibe, making Cheech and Chong household names in comedy.

4. Friday (1995)– There’s no better way to spend 4/20 than kicking back like Craig (Ice Cube) and Smokey (Chris Tucker) on the porch in “Friday.” This cult classic encapsulates a day in the life of the duo, mostly spent smoking and hanging out in their neighborhood. As they navigate through various encounters with colorful neighbors and friends, the film captures the essence of community and camaraderie with a comedic twist. “Friday” is beloved by many, becoming a staple in the stoner film genre and a movie where nearly everyone knows the lines by heart.

5. Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004) – When Harold Lee and Kumar Patel get the munchies after spotting a White Castle commercial, nothing can stop their craving for those iconic sliders. What starts as a simple trip to fulfill their hunger turns into a wild adventure filled with unexpected obstacles. Along their quest for burgers, they cross paths with a mischievous raccoon, a racist police officer, and a wildly uninhibited Neil Patrick Harris. This hilarious journey not only satisfies their cravings but also cements “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle” as a beloved stoner comedy.

6. Pineapple Express (2008) – Dale Denton, a laid-back court-process clerk and dedicated stoner, typically visits his equally chill dealer, Saul Silver, for one reason: to score some weed. But when Dale lays his hands on a rare strain called Pineapple Express, things take a dramatic turn. After witnessing a murder committed by a corrupt cop and a notorious drug lord, Dale panics and discards his Pineapple Express roach at the crime scene. Realizing the unique strain could lead the killers right to him, Dale rushes back to Saul not just for more weed, but to figure out their next move. As they find themselves on the run, Dale and Saul come to a startling realization: their paranoia isn’t just a side effect of the smoke; the bad guys really are after them. Buckle up for a wild ride with “Pineapple Express.”

7. Dazed and Confused (1993) – Set on the last day of school in 1976 in a small Texas town, “Dazed and Confused” captures the spirit of youth and rebellion. Upperclassmen haze the incoming freshmen in timeless high school tradition, while nearly everyone—including the football players who vowed not to—aims to get stoned, drunk, or lucky. This film not only explores the antics and aspirations of teenagers at a pivotal time but also holds a personal touch; fun fact, one of my high school teachers actually had a role in this movie.

8. Dude, Where’s My Car? (2000) – Jesse and Chester, two clueless stoners, wake up after a wild night of partying with no memory of where they parked their car. This missing car sets them off on a bizarre journey to find it. Along the way, they run into an assortment of characters: their furious girlfriends Wilma and Wanda, whose house they trashed the night before; an angry street gang; a transsexual stripper chasing them for a suitcase filled with stolen money; a group of cultists obsessed with extraterrestrial life; and even a contingent of aliens in human form searching for a mystical device that holds the power to either save or destroy the world.

9. Super Troopers (2001)- In this comedy, five Vermont state troopers, known more for their pranks than their policing, find themselves on the verge of losing their jobs. To prove their worth and outshine the local police department, they embark on a mission to solve a crime, leading to a series of hilarious mishaps and antics.

10. The Big Lebowski (1998) – Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski gets tangled in a case of mistaken identity when two thugs, thinking he’s a wealthy man of the same name, ruin his rug to settle a nonexistent debt. Seeking compensation, The Dude approaches the wealthy Lebowski and ends up drawn into a high-paying but suspicious job. With the aid of his volatile bowling buddy Walter, a gun-toting Jewish convert with a temper, The Dude finds himself deeper in chaos. As the deception unravels, a bizarre array of characters, from porn tycoons to nihilists, seem to have claims against The Dude, leading to ever-escalating trouble in this cult classic.

What stoner movie are you kicking back with today?