The horror genre is littered with lovable stoners. From Marty in The Cabin in the Woods to all incarnations of Shaggy in Scooby Doo, the tokers are winning our hearts and (almost) surviving their films. This explains why the 420 holiday has been claimed by horror fans. Whether you smoke it, drink it, or eat it, few things pair better than weed and horror movies. This is why I am here with a streaming guide that dares you to say yes to drugs. These five titles want you to live your best life by lighting up and hitting play on their individual brands of chaos. So, grab your snacks, organize your favorite blunt rotation, and get comfy because we are about to get into the weeds!
5 Horror Movies to Watch on 420
Class of Nuke ‘Em High (1986)
Where You Can Watch: Fandango at Home, Peacock, Plex, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and Tubi
The students attending a high school located next to a power plant begin to change after buying contaminated drugs. This movie is extra precious because it is a Troma Entertainment sci-fi comedy about pot and pollution. Richard W. Haines and Lloyd Kaufman directed this B-movie goodness that sees high school stoners turn into rampaging freaks. Who can resist the nostalgia-filled ride that is this 1986 gem? If you’re really vibing with Class of Nuke ‘Em High, the film has four sequels that are usually on some of the free streamers.
Idle Hands (1999)
Where You Can Watch: VOD
A teen slacker’s right hand starts to have a mind of its own once it becomes possessed. Idle Hands is the ultimate stoner horror-comedy. Not only is it a right of passage for most millennials, but it also has a pretty iconic 90s cast. We all clearly have to celebrate this holiday by watching Devon Sawa, Seth Green, Elden Henson, and Vivica A. Fox get into the weeds of this chaotic time. Sawa has had pretty steady work in the genre (Heart Eyes and R.I.P. Chucky) for decades. However, Idle Hands and Final Destination are arguably the two that changed the brain chemistry of my generation the most.
Reefer Madness (1936)
Where You Can Watch: MGM+, Plex, Pluto TV, Prime Video, Sling TV, and Tubi
A trio of drug dealers get teens addicted to reefer at their wild jazz parties. This 1936 comedic thriller is a weird and delightful addition to any 420 holiday binges. No stoner (or filmgoer) has truly lived until they have seen Reefer Madness. Do not let your next joint, edible, tincture, etc. go to waste. Partake via your favorite method and hit play on this ridiculously wild time. Let us also celebrate that stoners in the genre have a much longer legacy than many of us would have guessed.
Terror Firmer (1999)
Where You Can Watch: Plex, Prime Video, and The Roku Channel
A serial killer is on the loose, and the crew of a low-budget Troma movie are the only people who can stop him. This infamous Lloyd Kaufman movie is one of those movies that seem made for people who are trying to get as high as a cloud. This is one of the few titles that is truly better the less sober you are. Partly because it will help you stop trying to make sense of what is happening and roll with it up to its chaotic conclusion.
Trim Season (2023)
Where You Can Watch: Starz
A group of young people take a job on an isolated marijuana farm to make some cash. However, they soon discover the gig might be too good to be true. This title flew under the radar, but Ariel Vida’s film is perfect for this holiday. I also root for this one because I love a Black lead, and I love that Bethlehem Million is giving us an amazing protagonist. Come for the stoner theme, and stay to see if the genre is about to welcome a new favorite Black final girl.
These are just some of the many stoner horror gems littered throughout the genre that you should consider putting on during this good Sunday. After all, what is a better day for weed and watch parties than 420? So, consume responsibly (or a lot) and watch some trippy, weird, and funny cinema that understands the assignment.
Do you have a favorite horror movie about potheads with a heart of gold? Or one with stoners looking to have a good time but getting a date with death instead? Then let us know in the comments!