It was in the late 1960s when the likes of Richard "Cheech" Marin and Tommy Chong had first been introduced to one another. Bonding over a love for improvisational comedy, the two unlikely stars began spearheading a brand that would lead to massive success and worldwide recognition for them both. With a focus on lampooning stoner and Latino culture in their comedy, Cheech and Chong would go on to make a splash in the underground comedy scene, releasing albums and performing stand-up for an ever-growing audience. An audience that would only expand ten-fold upon the release of their first feature film.
Updated December 20th, 2022: If you are here for the comedy duo’s films, you'll be happy to know we've updated this article with additional content.
After the release of Up In Smoke in 1978, the duo began a film career that would span decades, writing, directing, and starring in numerous sequels of varying quality. Achieving legendary status by today, and being beloved by many for not only having memorable comedy, but for creating a cultural movement around their subject matter, Cheech and Chong's film career is easily their most notable work. With many to choose from, it's time to see which of their scripted, made-for-theaters ventures smokes the rest.
8 Still Smokin
Still Smokin has the unfortunate position of sitting among the lowest rated ventures within the Cheech and Chong catalog, with even hardcore fans noting the pair weren't at their best for the outing. The two stoner buddies make their way to Amsterdam for a film festival after being confused for celebrities, only to end up saving the event after the real acts don't show up. While it seemed the two were on a roll otherwise, 1983's Still Smokin came off disjointed and cobbled together, with not much meaning or memorable humor to enjoy within the messy script.
7 Cheech & Chong's The Corsican Brothers
A departure from their usual brand of stoner comedy, 1984's Cheech & Chong's The Corsican Brothers puts the two comedians in more traditional acting roles, parodying classic swashbuckler tales. Based off of the Alexandre Dumas novel of the same name, the titular duo play two separated-at-birth twins who can feel the other's joy and pain, and whose consistent reckless abandon leads to constant messes to the point they inadvertently begin the French Revolution.
While not the typical performance the two are known for, something feels a bit off in this interpretation of a classic tale, and may have even served as the beginning of the end for the stoner duo in general after disagreements on what direction to take their comedy.
6 Get Out of My Room
1985’s Get Out of My Room is a 53-minute feel-good mockumentary. The This Is Spinal Tap-style film shows Cheech and Chong being followed by a 'reporter' who is doing a story about the duo’s attempting to make the very video album we're watching. In between behind-the-scenes footage and fake interviews filmed mostly in and around Los Angeles, we are shown four videos of songs from Cheech and Chong’s last album together. Get Out of My Room became a great gift for Cheech and Chong's longtime fans.
5 Cheech & Chong's Animated Movie
After 1984’s The Corsican Brothers and 1985’s Get Out of My Room came a long period in which the comedy duo seldom worked together, but in 2013, Cheech and Chong reconciled and released their first (and so far only) animated film. Cheech & Chong's Animated Movie animates many of the two's previously released sketches, Sister Mary Elephant, Earache My Eye, the classic Dave, and others. The film also features an original plot involving a body crab named Buster (Chong) living on a bikini-clad woman. Unfortunately, the film lacks something new – but it could still be good nostalgic fun.
4 Things Are Tough All Over
Sporting double rolls, Cheech and Chong play themselves, hired by two wealthy Arabian businessmen (also played by the duo) to drive a limousine from Chicago to Las Vegas, unknowingly transporting millions of dollars. The 1982 comedy was generally enjoyed by fans and critics, having a fun plot and variety in its locations, making Things Are Tough All Over stand out in a good way among the collection. A road trip movie with the inimitable Cheech and Chong raunchiness throughout, providing fans with another fun romp through the world of the doped-up duo.
3 Nice Dreams
With the two back at it again disguised as ice cream salesman, they find themselves on a series of adventures while running from the cops after having a strain of marijuana that causes people to turn into lizards traced back to their operation. Being a great quintessential example of the stoner comedy adventure sub-genre, 1981's Nice Dreams isn't afraid to get ridiculous with where it takes its leads, and with a great chunk of its dialogue and many moments being actually improvised, allows for the natural personality of the famous duo to shine. Though not as down-to-Earth or focused as the more popular films in the franchise, for those looking for a more trippy adventure, there's no better pick.
2 Cheech and Chong's Next Movie
The first sequel to their original film, Cheech and Chong's Next Movie sees the two marijuana enthusiasts in search of a new job after causing trouble once again, only to have their search lead them to even more drug-induced nonsense. Ideas for the film seemed to be plentiful, bringing yet another crazed adventure taking the pair from one raunchy, lawless scenario to the next.
An enjoyable follow-up to their first adventure, fans and critics were once again charmed by the exploits within the 1980 comedy, showing that the two tokers knew how to make a comeback in this irreverent tale that could only come from the minds of Cheech and Chong.
1 Up In Smoke
The one that started it all, and the grandad of all modern day stoner comedies, Up in Smoke was responsible for not only setting up the duo's onscreen career, but for being a fresh new voice for the world of counterculture. Being at the height of their creativity, Cheech and Chong were hot off of their stand-up and comedy albums, and their transition to the big screen brought their brand of comedy without anything being lost in translation. The 1978 film can be seen more as a collection of scenarios to place the titular characters into, all for the sake of cracking the audience up with memorable gags and lines akin to their typical style.
Pioneering stoner comedy while also being a love-letter to marijuana culture in general, Cheech and Chong are to thank for bringing a brand-new voice to the mainstream, all while making countless fans laugh for generations. As culturally significant as they may have ever been, the world was made a lot more fun by the two pothead comedians, and the classic moments they left will continue to stick in the minds of viewers who revisit the hits for years to come.