List of drug films
Drug films are films that depict drug usage, either as a major theme or as a few memorable scenes. Drug cinema ranges from the ultra-realistic to the utterly surreal; some movies are unabashedly pro- or anti-drug, while others are less judgmental. The drugs most commonly shown in films are alcohol, cocaine, heroin, LSD, cannabis (see Stoner film) and methamphetamine.
There is extensive overlap with crime movies, which are more likely to treat drugs as plot devices to keep the action moving. Some movies are mistakenly labeled as "drug films" due to their surreal nature, including 2001: A Space Odyssey, Waking Life and Yellow Submarine.
The following is a partial list of drug movies and the substance involved.
0-9
- 24 Hour Party People (2002). MDMA, Cocaine, Methadone, Cannabis, and a mention of the multitude of crack in Barbados.
- 25th Hour (2002). Heroin, MDMA.
- The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2004). Cannabis.
- The 51st State (2001). POS 51 (a fictional drug, also mentions Cocaine, LSD and MDMA)
- Fifty Pills MDMA (Ecstasy)
- 9 Magnet, used by 8 which apparently causes a drug like effect
A
- A Bug and a Bag of Weed (2006). Cannabis.
- The Acid House (1998). LSD.
- Across The Universe (2007). LSD, Cannabis, Some kind of Opiate, presumably Morphine.
- Adaptation. (2002). Fictional version of Ghost Orchid powder.
- Adventureland (2009). Cannabis.
- Air America (1990). Cocaine, Drug smuggling
- Airplane! (1980). Cocaine.
- Alice (1988). Amanita Muscaria.
- Almost Famous (2000). Cannabis, Vicodin, LSD and quaaludes.
- Alpha Dog (2007). Cannabis.
- Amants réguliers, Les (2005). Cannabis.
- Altered States (1980). LSD, DMT, and Amanita Muscaria.
- American Beauty (1999). Cannabis.
- American Gangster (2007). Heroin and cocaine.
- American Psycho (2000). Cocaine, Halcion, Xanax and Cannabis.
- Amores Perros (2001). Cocaine.
- Another Day in Paradise (film) (1997). Heroin and cocaine.
- Arrebato (1979). Heroin
- The Anniversary Party (2001). MDMA.
- Apocalypse Now (1979). LSD, opium, Cannabis and cocaine.
- Around the Fire (1999). Cannabis, LSD
- A Scanner Darkly (film) (2006). Fictional drug Substance D., Cannabis, mention of cocaine.
- Avenging Disco Godfather (1979). PCP.
B
- Bad Boys II (2003). MDMA and heroin.
- Bad Lieutenant (1992). Crack, cocaine and heroin, Cannabis.
- bang boom bang (1999). Cannabis.
- The Basketball Diaries (1995). Heroin, cocaine, Cannabis and solvents.
- Batman Begins (2005). Hallucinogens.
- Be Angeled (2001). Cocaine, MDMA and Cannabis.
- The Beach (2000). Cannabis, psychedelic mushrooms and stimulants.
- Beavis and Butt-head Do America (1996). Peyote and alcohol.
- Beerfest (2006). Cannabis and alcohol
- Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007).
- Belly (1998). Heroin and Cannabis.
- Berlin Calling (2008). Cocaine, MDMA, Ketamine, Cannabis.
- Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970) Cannabis, LSD, prescription pills, MDMA, peyote.
- The Big Lebowski (1998). Cannabis, LSD.
- Blow (2001). Cocaine and Cannabis.
- Blueberry (2004). Ayahuasca/Peyote.
- Blue Sunshine (1976). LSD.
- Blue Velvet (1986). Nitrous Oxide
- Boiler Room (2000). Cocaine
- Bobby (2006). Cannabis and LSD.
- Bongwater (1997). Cannabis, LSD, and cocaine.
- Boogie Nights (1997). Cocaine and methamphetamine.
- The Boost (1988). Cocaine.
- Borderland (2007). Cannabis and psychedelic mushrooms.
- The Breakfast Club (1985). Cannabis.
- Brick (2006). Cocaine.
- Bright Lights, Big City (1988). Cocaine.
- Brokedown Palace (1999) Heroin.
- Broken (2007). Heroin.
- Broken Vessels (1999). Heroin and Meth
- Buffalo Soldiers (2001). Heroin and MDMA
- Bug (2007). Methamphetamine, alcohol, marijuana.
- Bullet (1996). Heroin
- Bully (2001). Cannabis, LSD, methamphetamine.
C
- Cadillac Records (2008 film). Heroin and Alcohol
- Candy (2006). Heroin and Cannabis.
- Carlito's Way: Rise to Power (2005). Heroin.
- Cash Crop (2003)). Cannabis.
- Casino (1995). Cocaine, heroin and painkillers.
- Caveman (1981). Fictional hallucinogenic berries.
- Charlie Bartlett (2008). Alcohol, prescription pills.
- Cheech & Chong's various movies feature drugs such as Cannabis, cocaine, LSD and various pills and Ajax (comedy). They include:
- Up in Smoke (1978).
- Next Movie (1980).
- Nice Dreams (1981).
- Still Smokin' (1983).
- Chinese Opium Den (1894). Opium.
- Christiane F. – Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo (1981). Cannabis, MDMA, PCP and heroin.
- City Of God (2002). Cannabis and cocaine.
- Clean and Sober (1988). Cocaine.
- Cocaine Cowboys (2006). Cocaine and Cannabis.
- Cookers (2001). Methamphetamine.
- Contact High (2009). Cocaine, Cannabis, MDMA, LSD, amphetamine
- Crank (2006). Fictional drug Beijing Cocktail, cocaine, epinephrine, "Hardcore Haitian Plant Shit", methamphetamine and Cannabis.
- Crooklyn (1994). Glue (Toluene).
- Crow, The (1994). Morphine
- A Clockwork Orange [1971]. Several fictional drugs in the form of a milk cocktail called Moloko Plus. Vaietys include Moloko Vellocet (Possibly Barbiturates or Synthetix Opiates), Synthemesc (Synthetic Mescaline?), and Drenchrom (Possibly Adrenachrome?).
D
- Dazed and Confused (1993). Cannabis, Alcohol and LSD.
- Deep Cover (1992). Crack cocaine.
- Den Siste Revejakta (2008). Hashish, Cannabis, heroin and LSD.
- Departed, The (2006). OxyContin, lorazepam, and cocaine.
- Detroit Rock City (1999). Cannabis and psychedelic mushrooms.
- Dick (1999). Cannabis and quaaludes.
- District 13 (2004). Cocaine, Cannabis.
- Domino (2005). Mescaline, Cannabis, and cocaine.
- Donkey Punch (2007). Ketamine, Methamphetamine, MDMA, Cannabis.
- Donnie Darko (2001). Anti-psychotic medication. (The Director's Cut reveals them as placebos)
- Dope Sick Love (2005). Heroin and crack cocaine
- The Doors (1991). LSD, cocaine, heroin, Cannabis, and peyote.
- Down in the Valley (2005). MDMA
- Dreamseller (2007). Heroin.
- Drugstore Cowboy (1989). Hydromorphone, oxymorphone, morphine, amphetamines, diazepam, and cocaine.
- Dream with the Fishes (1997). Heroin and LSD.
- Dude, Where's My Car? (2000). Cannabis
- Dune (film) (1984). Fictional drug Melange or "Spice".
E
- Easy Rider (1969). Cannabis, cocaine and LSD.
- Ed Wood (1994). Morphine.
- Emerald Forest (1985). virola snuff
- Empire Cocaine and Cannabis.
- Empire Records (1995). Amphetamines.
- Euro Trip (2004). Cannabis/hashish, absinthe, amphetamines, benzedrine
- Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (1993). Peyote.
- Evil Bong (2006). Cannabis.
- Evil Bong II [2009]. Cannabis
F
- Fame chimica (2003). Marijuana and cocaine.
- Fandango - Members Only (2000). Marijuana and cocaine.
- Fan Boys (2009). Peyote.
- Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982). Marijuana.
- Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998). Marijuana, mescaline, LSD, cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturates, alcohol, ether, amyl nitrate, opium, hashish, hash oil, heroin, adrenochrome .
- Flashback (1990). LSD
- Flirting with Disaster (1996). LSD.
- Fifty Pills (2006). MDMA.
- Formula 51 (2001). Fictional drug POS 51 and marijuana.
- Forrest Gump (1994) Cocaine, Heroin, marijuana, LSD, unidentified pills
- Foo-Foo Dust (2003). Crack-cocaine and Heroin.
- Freak Talks About Sex (1999). Marijuana.
- The French Connection (1971). Heroin and cocaine.
- Fresh (1994). Cocaine, Crack-cocaine, Heroin.
- Friday (1995). Marijuana, PCP
- Friday After Next (2002). Marijuana.
- From Hell (2001). Opium, laudanum and absinthe.
- Factory Girl (2006) Marijuana, Speed, Heroin, Prescription Pills.
- Fritz the Cat (1972). Marijuana and heroin.
G
- Gambling, Gods and LSD (2002). Crack, Cocaine, LSD.
- Garden State (2004). Various prescription drugs (esp. antidepressants), marijuana, nitrous oxide MDMA.
- Georgia (1995). Heroin.
- Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2005). Crack, Marijuana, and Morphine.
- Gia (1998). Heroin and cocaine.
- Growing Op (2008). Cannabis.
- The Girl Next Door (2004). MDMA.
- Go (1999). MDMA, marijuana and cocaine.
- Go Ask Alice (1973). LSD, marijuana, and amphetamines.
- The Godfather (1972). Cocaine and heroin.
- The Godfather: Part II (1974). Cocaine and heroin.
- The Godfather: Part III (1990). Cocaine and heroin.
- The Good Shepherd (2006). LSD
- Goodfellas (1990). Cocaine and pills.
- Grand Hotel (1932). Absinth
- Grandma's Boy (2006). Marijuana.
- Grass (1999). Marijuana.
- Gridlock'd (1997). Heroin.
- Girl, Interrupted (1999). Marijuana, diazepam
- Grindhouse (2007). Marijuana.
- Groove (2000). GHB, MDMA, Nitrous, LSD and marijuana.
- Gummo (1997). Glue, Ritalin, Alcohol, Solvents, Cocaine.
H
- Hair (1978). Marijuana and LSD.
- Half Baked (1998). Marijuana, cocaine, crack and heroin.
- Half Nelson (2006). Cocaine and crack cocaine.
- The Hangover (film) (2009). Rohypnol.
- Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004). Marijuana, MDMA, Cocaine.
- Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008). Marijuana, and psychedelic mushrooms.
- Harvard Man (2001). Marijuana and LSD.
- Harsh Times (2006), Marijuana and alcohol.
- Head (1968). Marijuana and LSD.
- High Art (1998) Heroin.
- Homegrown (1998). Marijuana.
- How High (2001). Marijuana.
- Human Traffic (1999). Marijuana, cocaine and MDMA.
- Humboldt County (2008). Marijuana
- Hurlyburly (1998). Marijuana, cocaine and diazepam.
- Hustle & Flow (2005). Marijuana.
- Hot Rod (2007). LSD.
I
- Idle Hands (1999). Marijuana.
- If Drugs Were Legal (2009). Marijuana, Cocaine, Crack, Ketamine, Heroin, Esctasy, MDMA, LSD, Amphetamines,
(And a Fictional drug called dexclorazole which mimicks the affects of a anti-depressant on a much larger scale)
- Igby Goes Down (2002). Heroin and marijuana.
- I Got The Hook Up (1998). Marijuana, cocaine and LSD.
- I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can (1982). Diazepam.
- In Bruges (2008). Cocaine.
- It's All Gone Pete Tong (2004). Cocaine, yopo snuff,
(And toad licking, presumably a reference to the Bufo Alvarius or Colorado River toad from which the extract should not actually be licked as in the movie, but smoked, due to bufo toxin which is incinerated upon smoking. Can contain 5-meo-dmt and/or bufotenin)
- Into the Blue (2005). Cocaine.
- Inner Trial (2008). LSD, marijuana, psychedelic mushrooms.
J
- Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001). Marijuana.
- Jesus' Son (1999). Heroin, marijuana, cocaine, LSD, opium, psychedelic mushrooms, tobacco, alcohol, amphetamines, and diazepam
- Jacob's Ladder (1990). Quinuclidinyl benzilate (BZ)
K
- Kids (1995). Marijuana, nitrous oxide, MDMA, Cocaine and possibly GHB (not Ketamine).
- Killing Zoe (1994). Heroin.
- King of New York (1990). Cocaine.
- Kiss of the Dragon (2001). Heroin.
- Knocked Up (2007). Marijuana, Alcohol, and psychedelic mushrooms.
- Kush (2007). Marijuana, Cocaine.
- Killer Bud (2001) Marijuana
L
- La Haine (1995). Hashish, Cocaine.
- Lammbock (2001). Marijuana, Hashish, Psychedelic Mushrooms and Cocaine.
- The Last Minute (2001). Heroin.
- La Vendedora De Rosas (1998). Glue.
- Layer Cake (2004). Cocaine, crack cocaine and MDMA.
- The Life of Rayful Edmond (2005). Cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana.
- Lethal Weapon 4 (1998). Nitrous.
- The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004). Marijuana
- Liquid Sky (1982). Heroin.
- Little Fish (2005). Heroin.
- Little Miss Sunshine. Heroin, Viagra and anorectics referred to.
- La vendedora de rosas (1998). Inhallants, such as "sacol" (Colombian word)
- Less Than Zero (1987). Cocaine.
- Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998). Marijuana and cocaine.
- Loft (2008). Cocaine.
- London (2005). Cocaine and marijuana.
- Lord of War (2005). Cocaine and Brown Brown.
- Lost in Translation (2003). Marijuana, possibly other psychedelics.
- Love Is The Drug (2003). Cocaine, prescription pills
- Love Liza (2002). Gasoline fumes.
- Love, Blood, Krytonihe (2008). Marijuana, Cocaine
M
- Macarthur Park (2001). Crack-Cocaine
- Mafia! (1998). Cocaine
- Mallrats (1995). Marijuana.
- The Man with the Golden Arm (1955). Heroin.
- Maria Full of Grace (2004). Cocaine.
- Maryjane (1968). Marijuana.
- Max Payne (2008). Fictional Drug Abuse, Valkyrie.
- Menace II Society (1993). Crack cocaine, heroin and marijuana.
- Midnight Express (1978). Hashish, LSD, alcohol and marijuana
- A Midsummer Night's Rave (2002). MDMA, Cocaine
- Missing Link (1988). Unidentified plant.
- Modern Times (1936). Cocaine
- Mondo Mod (1967). Marijuana
- More (1969). Heroin.
- Most High (2006). Cocaine and methamphetamine
- The Mystery of the Leaping Fish (1916). Cocaine, opium.
- My Own Private Idaho (1991). Cocaine.
- Munje! (2001). Marijuana
- Moneyz (2009). Marijuana, Cocaine, Herion, Methamphetamine, Lsd, Alcohol,
N
- Nil By Mouth (1997). Heroin.
- Natural Born Killers (1998). Magic Mushrooms.
- The Naked Gun (1988). Heroin.
- Naked Lunch (1991). Heroin, Cigarettes, Hash, Marijuana,
(and fictional drugs called Bug Powder Dust which is a type of powdered pesticide and Mugwum Jizzum which comes from the multiple erect penises coming from fictional creatures head's called Mugwum, which can be manipulated for effect in some way)
- National Lampoon's Animal House (1978). Marijuana.
- New Jack City (1991). Crack cocaine.
- Next Day Air (2009). Cocaine, Marijuana.
- Next Friday (2000). Marijuana.
- The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat (1974). Marijuana.
- Nowhere (1997). Marijuana and MDMA.
- Notorious (2009) Cocaine, Crack cocaine and marijuana.
O
- Once Upon a Time in America (1984). Opium.
- One Perfect Day (2004). Marijuana, painkillers, amphetamines and MDMA.
- Out of the Blue (1980)
- Orange County (2002). Speed, Painkillers, Marijuana, MDMA
- Over The Edge (1979). Marijuana and Lsd
- Outside Providence (1999) marijuana
- Nordkraft (2005) marijuana, Cocaine, Methadon, Hasis
P
- Paid in Full (2002). Cocaine, Crack and Marijuana.
- The Panic in Needle Park (1971). Heroin.
- Party Monster (2003). Cocaine, heroin, MDMA, LSD and ketamine.
- Pathology (2008). methamphetamine
- PCU (1994). Marijuana.
- Performance (1970). Psychedelic mushrooms.
- Permanent Midnight (1998). Heroin and cocaine.
- Pineapple Express (2008). Marijuana. Oxycodone referred to
- Platoon (1986) Marijuana, and opium.
- Polvere (2009) Cocaine.
- Prozac Nation (2001). Marijuana, cocaine, prozac(fluoxetine) and ecstasy.
- Psych-Out (1968). LSD and DOM.
- Puff, Puff, Pass (2006). Marijuana.
- Pulp Fiction (1994). Cocaine, heroin and marijuana.
- Pure (2002). Heroin
Q
- Quadrophenia_(film) (1979) Amphetamines.
R
- Rachel Getting Married (2008) Marijuana,Alcohol
- Ray (2004). Heroin and marijuana.
- Rebound: The Legend of Earl "The Goat" Manigault (1996). Heroin.
- Reefer Madness (1936). Marijuana.
- Reefer Madness (2005 remake). Marijuana.
- Reeker (2005). MDMA.
- Remember the Daze (film) Mushrooms, alcohol, marijuana.
- Rent (film) Heroin, marijuana.
- Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008) Fictional drug Zydrate; a powerful & highly-addictive painkiller & hallucinogenic. Maufactured by GeneCo, for people undergoing surgery. "Graverobbers" sell a cheap version of Zydrate on the black market extracted from the blood of the dead.
- Repo Man (1984). Marijuana, cocaine and amphetamines.
- Requiem for a Dream (2000). Heroin, cocaine, amphetamine, MDMA, methaqualone, and marijuana.
- Return to Paradise (1998). Hashish.
- Rich kids Cocaine.
- Risky Business (1983). Marijuana.
- RoboCop 2 (1990). Fictional drug Nuke.
- Rockers (1978). Marijuana.
- Rolling (2007). MDMA, Marijuana.
- Rolling Kansas (2003). Marijuana.
- Royal Tenenbaums, The (2001). Marijuana, cocaine, mescaline.
- The Rules of Attraction (2002). Mushrooms, cocaine, LSD, methamphetamine, marijuana and MDMA.
- Rube in an Opium Joint (Pre 1894). Opium - Considered the first motion picture to contain substance abuse.
- Rush (1991). Heroin, Alcohol, Cigarettes, Speed, Marijuana, and Cocaine.
- Rave - The Ultimate Party (2000). MDMA
- Run Bitch Run (2009) Marijuana, Crack/Cocaine
- Rise of the Footsoldier [2007]. Cocaine, Heroin, MDMA
S
- The Salton Sea (2002). Methamphetamine.
- Sample People (1999). Fictional drug "glow" and cocaine.
- Saving Grace (2000). Marijuana.
- A Scanner Darkly (2006). Cocaine, marijuana and Substance D, a fictional psychoactive stimulant.
- Scarface (1983). Cocaine, Heroin, Quaaludes
- September (1984). LSD, PCP, Marijuana, MDA, Amyl Nitrate.
- Serpent & The Rainbow (1988). Haitian witch concoction.
- Severance Magic Mushrooms, Cannabis, Ecstacy
- Sherrybaby (2004). Heroin.
- "She Shoulda Said 'No'!" (1949). Marijuana.
- Sid and Nancy (1986). Heroin, Methadone and marijuana.
- Slackers (2002). Marijuana.
- Shrooms (2007). Magic Mushrooms.
- SLC Punk! (1999). LSD, oxycodone, and marijuana.
- Slim Susie (2003). Amphetamine, heroin and marijuana.
- Smiley Face (2007). Marijuana.
- Southwest Nine (2004). LSD, MDMA and marijuana.
- Spun (2002). Methamphetamine.
- Steal This Movie (2000). Marijuana.
- Studio 54 (1998). Marijuana, Cocaine, MDA.
- The Stoned Age (1994). Marijuana.
- Strange Wilderness (2008). Marijuana, Nitrous Oxide.
- Superbad (2007). Alcohol, cocaine, and marijuana.
- Super High Me (2007). Marijuana.
- Super Troopers (2001). Marijuana, Psychedelic mushrooms, LSD, and Alcohol.
- Surfer Dude (2008). Marijuana.
- Sweet Nothing(1996). Crack-Cocaine.
T
- Taking Off (1971). Marijuana.
- Taking Woodstock (2009). Marijuana, LSD
- Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny (2006). Marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms.
- Thank You For Smoking (2006). Cigarettes, nicotine (patches).
- Thirteen (2003). Inhalants (i.e. "Airduster"), marijuana, cocaine and various prescription drugs and LSD.
- Thumbsucker (2005). Marijuana, cocaine, and ritalin.
- Tideland (2005). Heroin.
- Traffic (2000). Marijuana, Cocaine, heroin, crack cocaine.
- Training Day (2001). Marijuana, crack cocaine, and PCP.
- Trainspotting (1996). Heroin, Ecstasy, Amphetamines, Valium, Alcohol, Methadone, Hashish, Barbiturates, and other opiates and benzodiazepines.
- Trash (1970) Heroin.
- The Football Factory (2004). Marijuana, Inhalants, Amphetamines, Crack/Cocaine
- The Trip (1967). LSD.
- The Tripper (2007). Cocaine, Nitrous Oxide, Marijuana, LSD, and MDMA
- Through a Blue Lens (1999). Crack cocaine, heroin
- True Romance (1993). Cocaine and marijuana.
- Tweek City (1995). Methamphetamine.
- Twin Town (1997). Cannabis, Heroin, Cocaine.
- Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (1992). Cocaine.
- Totally Baked: A Pot-U-Mentary (2008). Marijuana.
- Thursday (1998). Cocaine, Marijuana.
U
V
- Valley of the Dolls (1967) Barbiturates (Seconal,...), amphetamines (dextroamphetamine,...)
W
- The Wackness (2008). Marijuana, cocaine, Ritalin and anti-depressants.
- Waiting... (2005). Marijuana and inhalants.
- Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2008). Marijuana, Cocaine, Quaaludes,PCP,Amphetamine, Pills "Uppers and Downers", LSD, Alcohol, and Viagra.
- Walk the Line (2005). Cocaine and amphetamine.
- The Wall (1982). No overt drug usage but widely considered a drug-induced movie (LSD, Heroin).
- The Wash (2001). Marijuana.
- Wasted (2002). Heroin.
- What Just Happened (2008). Hydromorphone, benzodiazepines, cocaine referred to.
- Where the Buffalo Roam (1980). Marijuana, cocaine, and mescaline.
- Withnail and I (1987). Marijuana, speed and other pills.
- Woodstock (1970). Marijuana, LSD, and other psychedelics
- Wonderland (2003). Marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, quaaludes
Z
- Zombieland (2009). Marijuana.