For many people, April 20 has evolved from just a date on the calendar to a full-blown pop culture moment, especially for comedy fans. Over the years, “4/20” has carved out its own niche as the unofficial holiday for laid-back laughs, offbeat humor, and movies that don’t take themselves too seriously. And while the origins of the day are rooted in counterculture, its impact on entertainment, particularly comedy, has been undeniable.
That makes today the perfect excuse to hit pause on the serious stuff and lean into something a little more absurd, a little more quotable, and a lot more fun. Whether you want a cult favorite that defined an entire genre, a movie that launched an unforgettable duo, or a comedy that turned into a pop-culture staple, these seven films deliver laughs on 4/20 and beyond.
Up in Smoke (1978)
Few comedies are as instantly recognizable as Up in Smoke, the 1978 film that helped define the stoner comedy genre before the genre even really had a name. Comedic duo Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong are pure chaos together, and the movie’s loose, ridiculous energy is a huge part of its charm. Upon release, it was negatively received, but over the years, it became a cult favorite and cemented itself in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 2024. If you have never seen the movie that helped launch a thousand smoke-filled knockoffs, this is the one to start with.
Where to Watch Up in Smoke: Philo | AMC+ | DIRECTV
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)
At the start of the century, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle went from a midnight-munchies comedy to a cultural touchstone. The film played with absurdity while also giving audiences a sharper, more grounded buddy dynamic than many comedies of its era. John Cho and Kal Penn as the titular characters make the whole thing work because they play it straight, which adds to the journey’s ridiculousness. The film laid the groundwork for a buddy-stoner comedy franchise and helped pave the way for more mainstream Hollywood comedies led by Asian American actors, giving it a lasting pop-culture footprint far beyond the burger run at the center of the plot.
Where to Watch Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle: Peacock
Friday (1995)
Three decades later, Friday is one of those movies that has never really left the pop culture conversation. Just last week, the Los Angeles Rams posted a parody, Thursday, inspired by the 1995 classic, starring the sons of the two lead actors. Directed by F. Gary Gray, the buddy comedy stars Ice Cube and Chris Tucker and is set over the course of one wild day in South Central Los Angeles, turning everyday neighborhood life into something hilarious, quotable, and instantly memorable. It launched a whole franchise and gave viewers one of the most rewatchable hangout movies ever made.
Where to Watch Friday: Pluto TV
Tropic Thunder (2008)
Tropic Thunder is a comedy that took a big swing and mostly lands because it is so committed to the bit. Ben Stiller’s war-movie sendup is packed with wild performances, sharp satire, and enough ridiculous energy to keep the whole thing moving from one outrageous idea to the next. Filled with fake trailer openings, surprise cameos, and a Robert Downey Jr. Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, it is one of the most discussed comedies of the 2000s.
Where to Watch Tropic Thunder: Paramount+
Pineapple Express (2008)
Pineapple Express took the buddy comedy formula and gave it a messy, action-packed twist. Seth Rogen and James Franco are a perfect mismatch in a film that balances absurd violence with stoner comedy goofiness. Co-produced by Judd Apatow, who worked with Rogan on the story, it became a major pop-culture hit while finding a sweet spot between mainstream studio comedy and cult favorite energy. Add this to your watchlist if you like your comedies with explosions, paranoia, and a lot of very bad decision-making.
Where to Watch Pineapple Express: DIRECTV
Half Baked (1998)
Before his hit sketch comedy show on Comedy Central, Dave Chappelle starred in one of the most beloved cult comedies of the late ’90s. Half Baked has become a genuine fan favorite over the years because it is packed with lines people still quote, and it captures the kind of low-stakes, high-chaos comedy that holds up when you are in the mood for something light but memorable.
Where to Watch Half Baked: Philo | AMC+ | DIRECTV
The Big Lebowski (1998)
No April 20 comedy lineup is complete without The Dude. The Coen Brothers’ 1998 oddball masterpiece starring Jeff Bridges started as a weird little crime comedy and grew into one of the most enduring cult films of all time. Filled with endlessly quoted dialogue, bizarre plot turns, and deadpan style, it has become a permanent fixture in pop culture. In 2014, it was selected for preservation in the US National Film Registry and inspired its own real-life following, complete with festivals, and themed celebrationns over the years.
Where to Watch The Big Lebowski: Prime Video | Philo | AMC+ | DIRECTV