While comedies in general are awesome stress relievers after a long day on the old grind, sometimes they need a little extra something. Stoner comedies started to rise in popularity in the 1970s, and today have become one of comedy's most popular subgenres: the stoner film. While obviously featuring an unbelievably large amount of marijuana, stoner films usually take the audience on a wild ride full of high times (pun intended) and awkward situations!
Lionsgate's American Ultra has officially become the newest film to join the stoner ranks, and it looks like it'll be one for the books! The film tells the story of the perpetually stoned "sleeper" government operative Mike who has been targeted for extermination and must now use his newly discovered CIA badass moves to save his kidnapped girl. Sounds like fun, huh? Check it out!
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While still hilarious, it looks like American Ultra won't be lacking in the action department, giving both comedy fans and action buffs something to look forward to! That being said, American Ultra will be facing quite a bit of competition from its predecessors for the title of "Best Stoner Movie EVAA!" But I will let you be the judge of that. Check it out!
1936~Reefer Madness
Starring: Dorothy Short, Kenneth Craig, Lillian Miles, Dave O'Brien, Thelma White, Warren McCollum, and Carleton Young
Synopsis: Originally meant to warn against the dangers of marijuana abuse, the extreme situations and drama of the film effectively transformed it into a self-parody. Drug dealers convince Mary, Jimmy, and Bill to fall victim to the temptations and cannabis and lead a life of jazz and party's!
Trailer:
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1998~Half Baked
Starring: Dave Chappelle, Guillermo DÃaz, Jim Breuer, Harland Williams, Clarence Williams III, and Rachel True
Synopsis: Just the mere synopsis of this film is hilarious! After Kenny gets himself jailed for killing a diabetic police horse named Buttercup by feeding her candy, his buddies Thurgood, Brian, and Scarface have to enter into the drug dealing world in order to raise Kenny's $100,000 bail. Of course, the trio quickly gets themselves in trouble with feared drug lord Samson Simpson, and let the hilarity ensue!
Trailer:
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1998~Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Starring: Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro
Synopsis: This disorientingly psychedelic film tell the story of a loopy journalist, his red-eyed lawyer, and their crazy antics in Sin City. The dynamic duo wreak havoc across Las Vegas thanks to their thirst for fun and trunk full of drugs.
Trailer:
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1998~The Big Lebowski
Starring: Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, David Huddleston, and John Turturro
Synopsis: Arguably the most popular stoner film to date (we'll see how American Ultra does), The Big Lebowski tells the story of pothead Jeff Lebowski, who shares the same name as a rich but questionable man. Turns out that the rich Lebowski owes some scary people lots of money, which then causes our laid back Jeff, aka "The Dude," a lot of problems.
Trailer:
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2000~Dude, Where's My Car?
Starring: Ashton Kutcher, Seann William Scott, Jennifer Garner, Marla Sokoloff, Kristy Swanson, and Hal Sparks
Synopsis: It all started with a car and a smidgen of too much partying. Jesse and Chester have misplaced the car and now have to retrace their steps. Little do they know they're in for quite a ride! An ostrich farmer, a pothead dog, and a transgender stripper are the least of their problems when the duo is suddenly faced with the possible destruction of the universe!
Trailer:
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2001~Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
Starring: Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Ben Affleck, Eliza Dushku, Shannon Elizabeth, Will Ferrell, Ali Larter, Jason Lee, Chris Rock, and Jennifer Schwalbach Smith
Synopsis: Snubbed by the merciless force that is Hollywood, Jay and Silent Bob will stop aat nothing to get their revenge. After being forcibly stopped from selling marijuana in front of the Quick Stop convenience store, the two learn the happy news that a movie is being made featuring their comic book counterparts. They quickly learn, however, that they won't be receiving any of the box office dough, and they set of to get even the Hollywood.
Trailer:
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2001~How High
Starring: Method Man, Redman, Obba Babatundé, Lark Voorhies, and Mike Epps
Synopsis: Everyone wishes they could smoke this kind of pot! Silas and Jamal attain magical marijuana through the unfortunate death of their friend Ivory due to a pot-related dreadlock fire. The two surviving friends then smoke the hair-infused weed, which magically gives them the intellect necessary to make it into Harvard.
Trailer:
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2001~Super Troopers
Starring: Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter, Erik Stolhanske, Brian Cox, and Marisa Coughlan
Synopsis: The prankster cops of Spurbury, Vermont spend most of their time figuring out how to wreak havoc on the innocent citizens they pull over as well as their newest recruit "Rabbit." The troopers, however, quickly find themselves in the middle of a serious crime investigation full of drugs and murder! Can they step up to the occasion? Will they have to transfer? Or worse yet, quit and open a disco?!
Trailer:
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2008~Pineapple Express
Starring: Seth Rogen, James Franco, Gary Cole, Rosie Perez, and Danny McBride
Synopsis: In an attempt to get his fix of a rare strain of marijuana dubbed Pineapple Express, Dale Denton become witness to a violent murder by a dirty cop and feared drug lord. On his way out from the scene, Dale drops his roach of rare pot, incriminating him as a possible suspect in the murder. Now potless and scared, both Dale and his dealer Saul must run for lives!
Trailer:
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2013~This is the End
Starring: James Franco, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson, Michael Cera, and Emma Watson
Synopsis: This unique take on the classic stoner film format features an all star cast of James Franco, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson, Michael Cera, and Emma Watson all as themselves but with one minor exception: the world is coming to an end! The stoned group of celebrity friends now struggle to survive impending doom as they hope for a beam of light to take them to heavenly bliss.
Trailer:
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It looks like American Ultra will have some pretty big shoes to fill, but from the looks of the trailer, I think it'll definitely be able to hold it's own amongst the greats of stoner comedy! The action-packed, pot-filled adventure begins in theatres on August 21st!
Which do you think is the greatest stoner comedy of all time?
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