55 Essential Drug-Themed Films

This film follows a group of teenagers as they explore New York City. They spend their time skateboarding, partying with alcohol, and sometimes smoking. Their experiences go beyond typical teenage activities, as they also grapple with more grown-up issues, including…

Four people living in Coney Island find their carefully constructed escapes through drugs crumbling as their dependencies intensify.

In Los Angeles, Craig and Smokey spend a relaxed afternoon on their porch, sharing cigarettes and beer and talking about their lives. As evening approaches, their conversation drifts from past events to everyday observations. Though they seem content, a sense…

A young man trying to become a drug dealer finds his life unraveling after a failed deal. The story follows him as he's pulled deeper into debt and violence by a ruthless drug lord. The film examines survival, loyalty, and…

When 13-year-old Tracy befriends Evie, the school's most popular girl, her life changes dramatically as Evie exposes her to a world of sex, drugs, and wealth. However, Tracy’s new lifestyle soon begins to negatively impact her and her family.

Three lifelong friends face a hilarious challenge when one of them ends up in jail. Determined to help, the trio launches a chaotic and unpredictable mission to free their friend, testing the strength of their friendship. Their initial plan for…

A driven research scientist undertakes a remarkable journey to understand consciousness. He uses methods like sensory deprivation and substances from Native American shamans to explore altered states of mind. This leads him to discover significant insights about memory, time, and…

In a bleak future America, a ruthless drug dealer named Ma-Ma threatens to seize control of the city with a dangerous new substance. The only hope lies with the Judges, an elite police force that acts as judge, jury, and…

In a challenging Los Angeles neighborhood, Malcolm navigates the pressures of college applications, academic interviews, and the SAT. An unexpected invitation to an underground party presents him with an opportunity to break free from his perceived limitations and discover who…

An unpublished writer's life changes when he starts using a highly classified drug that unlocks the full potential of his mind, making him exceptionally capable. This newfound ability draws the attention of dangerous people who put his improved life at…

Growing up in the 1950s, George Jung witnesses his family's financial struggles as his mother criticizes her husband's attempts to provide. Eventually, they face bankruptcy, fueling George's determination to avoid the same fate. In the 1960s, his friend Tuna proposes…

The film explores the story of a famous 1960s rock band and Jim Morrison, their mysterious singer and main songwriter. Against a backdrop of significant social change, the movie follows the band's rapid success and the personal difficulties faced by…

A young Asian American woman from a working-class background gains admission to an elite university and discovers that her intelligence can be exploited for financial gain.

Inside a high-tech prison, a prisoner participating in trials of emotion-altering drugs starts to doubt the work of the brilliant scientist overseeing the research.

A television comedy writer navigates the conflict between his career success and his growing heroin addiction. He tries to improve himself while working in a competitive and demanding industry. As his work and personal life become increasingly intertwined, this story…

In three days, Ross, a college dropout struggling with crystal-meth addiction, meets a colorful cast of characters – including a stripper named Nikki and her boyfriend, the town's meth manufacturer, known as The Cook. But beneath it all, Ross's primary…

The lives of two New Orleans paramedics are shattered when they begin responding to a string of disturbing deaths connected to a new, potent drug. The drug causes strange and unsettling effects.

In Colombia, a teenage girl who is pregnant makes the difficult decision to become a drug mule, hoping to earn money for her family's essential needs.

In the near future, an undercover police officer infiltrates a dangerous drug ring. As he delves deeper into the world of the drug, he starts to struggle with his own sense of self.

Bill Lee, a man who kills bugs for a living, lives a detached life with his wife Joan, often using his pest poisons for recreational drug use with his Beat poet friends. His world changes when he encounters the enigmatic…

Based on a true story, a diverse group including police officers, criminals, tourists, and teenagers find themselves in a Georgia forest. Their gathering is disrupted when a 500-pound black bear, after accidentally consuming cocaine, begins a violent series of attacks.

In New Orleans, an ex-soldier, a teenager, and a police officer find their paths crossing as they investigate the origin of a risky new drug. This drug gives people fleeting superhuman abilities.

While on an extreme sports trip with friends, Jared and Sam discover a legendary pirate ship deep in shark-infested waters, rumored to hold millions in gold. Their discovery quickly attracts the attention of a dangerous group of criminals.

A woman is unknowingly drawn into a dangerous criminal enterprise. She then fights back against those who took her, becoming a ruthless and highly skilled fighter who operates outside of normal reasoning.

Hollywood screenwriter Ben Sanderson, battling alcoholism, seeks oblivion in the chaotic energy of Las Vegas. He plans to end his life through drinking as he wanders the city's streets. There, he meets Sera, a prostitute trying to survive. Despite their…

The film is the true story of Gia Carangi, a driven young woman who rises to become a supermodel in 1970s America. Her striking looks and determination quickly lead her to magazine covers and major runways. But behind the glamour,…

Stephen Elliott, a writer who relies on Adderall, faces a crisis when his father unexpectedly appears, accusing him of inventing key events from his troubled childhood – the very events that inspire his writing. Confused and questioning his own memories,…

Two friends, Spoon and Stretch, are forced to confront their drug habits after witnessing a friend's overdose. They desperately try to get help through a government detox program, but face endless delays and bureaucratic obstacles. Pursued by drug dealers and…

This drama explores the lives of two men connected by their work but with very different perspectives: Nino, a powerful figure in the Cash Money Brothers, and Scotty, an undercover police officer trying to dismantle the gang's criminal operation. Nino…

High school principal Dr. Alfred Carroll warns parents about the dangers of marijuana for teens. Mary Lane, restless and vulnerable, is drawn into drug use with her brother Jimmy and boyfriend Bill by a persistent dealer. Their lives spiral downwards…

Following his wife's death, a man seeking atonement finds himself in a reality where appearances are deceiving. He meets Jimmy "The Finn," a laid-back acquaintance, and becomes involved in helping his neighbor Colette overcome personal struggles. This leads him into…

A laid-back guy and his drug dealer are thrown into chaos when the stoner accidentally sees a police officer commit a murder. Suddenly, they're both fugitives, desperately trying to evade the authorities.

This comedy-drama centers on Simon, a grocery store clerk who also deals drugs. On Christmas Eve, his regular customers, soap opera actors Adam and Zack looking for Ecstasy, encounter Ronna at the register. Facing her own financial problems, she impulsively…

Raoul Duke and his doctor, Dr. Gonzo, journey across the Mojave Desert to Las Vegas in a red convertible, carrying a suitcase of drugs to cover a motorcycle race. As they take increasing amounts of drugs, the pair cause chaos…

In 1970s Rio de Janeiro's impoverished favelas, two young men make contrasting choices. Rocket is an aspiring photographer who documents the escalating drug violence in his community. Meanwhile, José "Zé" Pequeno is an ambitious newcomer to the dangerous world of…

A poet falls for an art student drawn to his unconventional life and his heroin use. They become deeply connected, both to each other and to the drug. Their relationship is marked by cycles of being high, self-destructive behavior, and…

After a relapse that costs him his wife and job, a man holds a yard sale to begin anew. A new neighbor may offer the chance for him to rediscover himself.

A young American drug dealer and addict named Oscar lives in Tokyo with his prostitute sister, Linda. The film follows Oscar's spirit as it journeys through life after death. He relives memories of his parents before they died, witnesses his…

Portland, Oregon, in the early 1970s. A group of people lives a life driven by addiction and lies. Bob Hughes leads his wife Dianne, his friend Rick, and Nadine, their mysterious partner. They are a close group who pull off…

Ren Amari invents OtherLife, a groundbreaking drug that dramatically alters the perception of time, creating immersive virtual realities within the user's mind. As Ren and her team rush to release OtherLife, the government seeks to exploit it as a solution…

In the vibrant, drug-fueled underground parties of Los Angeles, a diverse group of people collide: a medical student, a runaway teenager, a lawyer, a drag queen, a high school basketball player, a drug dealer, and a teacher. Shot with a…

Seventeen-year-old Griselda Blanco arrived in the U.S. With her first husband, Carlos, using a false passport. Settling in Queens with her three sons, she was drawn to the wealth of the drug trade and quickly became involved with local drug…

Summer 1976. A group of Texas high school seniors face their last day of classes and the start of something new. The story centers on Randall Floyd, a talented athlete popular with different groups of students. As graduation approaches, Floyd…

A glimpse into a single night within the city's hidden rave culture of San Francisco.

Moving to California for a better financial future, Lenny Brown's plans are derailed when new federal tax laws leave him with a $700,000 debt. Facing desperation, he turns to cocaine with his friend Joel, hoping to get back on his…

Daryl, a successful real estate agent with a secret, is battling a severe cocaine addiction. He seeks refuge in a confidential rehab program to avoid the fallout of stealing from his company and abandoning a woman after she overdoses. Under…

In a town where basketball is everything, a talented high school player faces the devastating reality of drug addiction. His life unravels as he's pulled into a dangerous world he never knew. The film examines how substance abuse destroys relationships…

This film examines the U.S. War on drugs through several viewpoints. The newly appointed head of the Office of National Drug Control Policy confronts a personal crisis when his intelligent daughter secretly struggles with cocaine use within their seemingly perfect…

The film depicts the dangerous world of drugs, crime, and power in Miami during the peak of the cocaine trade. Tony Montana makes a deal for a green card by assassinating a Cuban government official, launching his ruthless climb into…

Wyatt and Billy, two adventurous bikers, set off on a long journey across America after a successful drug deal in Southern California. Seeking personal meaning, they travel coast to coast, testing their beliefs and their friendship as they explore the…

Jane, an actress who frequently uses marijuana, faces a demanding day. Her to-do list includes acquiring more cannabis. Already high, she inadvertently consumes her roommate's drug-infused cupcakes, leading to a series of chaotic experiences throughout Los Angeles.

Mark Renton, an addict trying to build a normal life, struggles with his friends: Sick Boy, Begbie, Spud, and Tommy. His life becomes more complicated when he becomes involved with Diane, a minor who is drawn into their chaotic world.…

Five young adults, each facing their own struggles and goals, spontaneously travel to Cardiff, Wales for a weekend. Exploring the city's lively atmosphere and nightlife, they experience a series of mishaps after deciding to try psychoactive substances. The trip becomes…

Exiled to a desolate, fenced-off wasteland, Arlen is abducted by cannibals and embarks on a journey. His mission: to help reunite a missing girl with her father.

Two young men who are avid marijuana users mistakenly believe the American Civil War is about to begin because the South wants to legalize marijuana. They decide to get involved and go on a long journey that leads them to…