Best Psychedelic Movies
Whether you’ve ever tried psychedelics yourself or you’re only familiar with them from movies or TV, you undoubtedly have some kind of preconceived notions about substances like LSD, DMT, Ayahuasca or Psilocybin. Psychedelic literature and cinema isn’t necessarily mainstream, but there are a lot of excellent works of art in this genre. Exploring consciousness, delving into the deepest facets of the mind, and learning about humanity & spirituality are central themes of these kinds of films. Whether we’re talking about the best psychedelic movies, or the most psychedelic movies of all time, there is a whole world of hidden gems just waiting for you to discover.
Although Marvel’s Doctor Strange definitely has its trippy, mind melting kaleidoscope moments, we’re more concerned about those hidden gems in TV or cinema that you might not have heard of, or even if you have heard of these works of fiction they’re worth watching again and again. Films like Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas are obvious cult classics in this particular genre, but have you heard of A Scanner Darkly? You’ve likely seen 2001: A Space Odyssey, but what about Jodorowsky’s The Holy Mountain? There’s a whole world of trippy films that can shift your perspectives and change how you view cinematography – whether you watch them on shrooms, or sober, it’s up to how brave you’re feeling!
We won’t be rating these films based on trippiness or based on any rankings of popularity, instead we’ll highlight some of the best points of our favorite psychedelic films. Everyone has their favorite movies, and these just a few of ours.
It’s time to pop some popcorn, get comfortable in your favorite movie watching chair, and prepare to have your mind melted by these movies about psychedelics.
PSYCHEDELIC FILMS & CULTURE
There are a lot of different kinds of psychedelic films: head scratching, philosophical deep-dives into the essence of being; psychological, trippy tirades into the obscene and bizarre; and emotional journeys that lead you through a vortex of epiphanic and spiritual enlightenment. To summarize these complex themes and prevent you from having to memorize their long, drawn out names, we’ll refer to these most psychedelic movies as the following categories: Deep-Thought films (philosophical deep-dives), Cosmonautic movies (trippy & bizarre), and Enlightening Journey works of cinematic art (emotional, spiritual). To give you an idea of the spectrum of these kinds of movies, here’s a few popular films that epitomizes each type of psychedelic film:
Psychedelic books don’t have to follow any particular format; after all, that’s one of the hallmarks of psychedelics themselves – unpredictability, excitement, imagination, and the potential for profound change. This notion of ‘potential’ is paramount to a lot of psychedelics literature, as the idea of the distinct, potential benefits of psychedelics for each individual makes this subject both fascinating and difficult to prescribe on a general basis. Each experience with psychedelics is unique and can be novel even to the most seasoned cosmonaut. So how do you teach someone ‘how to trip’ if it depends on the person? There are a lot of factors at play when you’re looking at how/why/what someone experiences during a psychotropic episode, but you can derive a lot of value and avoid many of the negative tropes of psychedelics if you invest in the know-how of some experts.
Deep-Thought:
- The Matrix Trilogy, Inception, Blade Runner, Requiem for a Dream, Being John Malkovich, A Scanner Darkly
Cosmonautic:
- The Zero Theorem, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Donnie Darko, Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, Enter the Void, The Holy Mountain
Enlightening Journey:
- The Fountain, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Maniac (Netflix Series), Interstellar
Now there’s no written rulebook to what constitutes psychedelic literature or cinema, so these are just our own categories we created. Trying to summarize or organize a trippy work of art is like attempting to fit a square peg in a round hole… within a round peg and a square hole, within a pyramid jammed into a dodecahedron… You get the picture. Thousands of people have millions of opinions and unique experiences with psychedelics and with psychedelic films, so it’s important to remember that these reviews are merely meant to be guides to your next eye-feast of trippy screen time.
Most psychedelic movies, music and books center around personal experiences of the authors or directors. Psychedelics are innately personal experiences, especially because each person may have utterly novel encounters each and every time they consume hallucinogenic substances. Many of the top psychedelic movies were born out of the director’s own experimentation with psychoactives, such as LSD, DMT, mescaline or psilocybin. This underpins a very important component of psychedelic films: familiarity with the possibilities of psychedelics. Filmmakers don’t have to be experts in the subject of their movies, such as a writer/director doesn’t have to be a former athlete to make a powerful movie about the power of perseverance & the human spirit in sports.
On the contrary, movies that explore the facets of consciousness and our place in the cosmos absolutely require some knowledge of psychedelics. Writing, directing, producing and editing a film about psychedelics without any prior experience with such substances would be akin to painting a mural of all colors even though you were color blind. Context, expertise, familiarity, ingenuity, and a penchant for exploration – these are the hallmarks of an artist that is capable of weaving together the myriad fabrics of psychedelic experiences. You might not have any experience with psychedelics, but you need to lend your eyes and ears to a filmmaker that can effectively guide you through such visually stunning and emotionally stirring content.
There are hundreds – if not thousands – of trippy titles and mind-blowing movies out there, and we’re definitely not privileged enough to have seen all of them (yet). Nonetheless, we’ve compiled a list of some of the essential works of psychedelic fiction in filmmaking for you. Remember, that these are only our favorites and there will be some of you reading this that might be astonished at what was left off the list. Keep in mind that personal preference is just as important in cinema as it is with actually tripping on psychedelics: no two people are exactly the same, so let’s respect each other’s opinions and experiences and try to learn something from one another.
TOP PSYCHEDELIC MOVIES
A Scanner Darkly (2006)
Richard Linklater (Director, Co-Writer), Philip K. Dick (Co-Writer) Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, Winona Ryder (Lead Actors)
Psychedelic Film Category: Deep-Thought
Trippiness Rating: Woah!…
A Scanner Darkly is a cerebral and visually complex cinematographic experience that touches on the very notions of love, memory and addiction. Keanu Reeves headlines the film as “Fred” (an officer) and “Bob” (his split personality). Through the lens of substance abuse and addiction, we follow Fred’s descent into the madness that is addiction to ‘Substance D’. The film fuses a visually striking blend of animation and real-time acting to create an alternate looking reality that is all-too-familiar to our own – especially when you consider the subject matter of the dangerous powers of addiction. This film, like many others of its ilk, explores the guise of the human mind and focuses their attention on what we’re capable of. The movie in its entirety is kind of trippy because much of Fred’s story is going on within the confines of his own mind, and as he struggles to tackle his alter-ego “Bob”, we get a glimpse of what our world could look like without any limitations on narcotics. This isn’t to suggest that psychedelics are inherently bad, but A Scanner Darkly does poetic justice to the notion of “being careful what you wish for” – because without balance, even our most positive assertions can fall by the wayside into a complete loss of control.
The Fountain (2006)
Darren Aronofsky (Director, Co-Writer), Ari Handel (Co-Writer), Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz (Lead Actors)
Psychedelic Film Category: Enlightening Journey
Trippiness Rating: What A Trip!
If you’re ever seeking meaning in life, and you’re curious what a journey through the roots of the tree that is reality, then you need to devote a couple hours of your life to watching Darren Aronofsky’s The Fountain. Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream) weaves such a rich tapestry of style, imagery and poetry into his films, and this psychedelic “trip through time” is no different. The film follows multiple incarnations of Hugh Jackman’s character in his repeated quest to save his love, played by Rachel Weisz. Spanning from the 16th century Spanish conquest of South America, to the struggles of a modern day scientist grappling with mortality, to the abstract idea of shepherding the “Tree of Life” through the cosmos in a trippy version of the future (or as it seems, ‘a place outside of time’). The Fountain is a definite mind-warping experience and its showcasing of breathtaking visuals to depict such significant concepts like love, time and mortality are worth experiencing again and again.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Stanley Kubrick (Director, Co-Writer), Arthur C. Clarke (Co-Writer), Keir Dullea, Douglas Rain (Lead Actors)
Psychedelic Film Category: Cosmonautic
Trippiness Rating: Mind. Sufficiently. Melted.
2001: A Space Odyssey has become something of science fiction and psychedelic movie royalty. Co-written by legendary director and equally magnanimous sci-fi writer Arthur C. Clarke, 2001 is the progenitor for many of the other films on this list. Kubrick’s tantalizing stories and penchant for overwhelming visuals has made this film one of the most trippy movie-going experiences ever. From the iconic scenes of “the monolith” impacting pre-human evolution, to the chilling voice of the A.I. HAL (Douglas Rain) mentally sparring with Dave (Keir Dullea), 2001: A Space Odyssey has all the hallmarks of a psychedelic journey through space & time (and it pretty much wrote the book on this genre).
Blade Runner (1982)
Ridley Scott (Director, Co-Writer), Hampton Fancer (Co-Writer), Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young (Lead Actors)
Psychedelic Film Category: Deep-Thought
Trippiness Rating: Am I Even Real?!
What list of trippy movies would be complete without the cult classic sci-fi/thriller that is Blade Runner? You could probably include the more recent iteration of Blade Runner: 2049 as well on this list, but for the purposes of this article we’ll focus on the original film that set the standard for gritty, immersive and visually stunning sci-fi. Ridley Scott, the visionary himself, brought dystopian, futuristic, metropolitan panoramas to life in this psychedelic film on the essence of what it means to be human. Through the interactions of replicants (artificial humans) such as Rutger Hauer’s “Batty” and detectives like Harrison Ford’s “Deckard”, this L.A.-noir flick is a compelling allegory on humanity, modern society and our capacity for destruction (death) in the face of unexpected creation (life). Blade Runner is a real mind-trip that will make you think about it for days – even weeks – afterwards, and its stark contrast of right and wrong, justice and injustice, light and dark will burn this movie into your memory as one of the all-time most psychedelic movies in the sci-fi genre.
Under the Skin (2014)
Jonathan Glazer (Director, Co-Writer), Walter Campbell (Co-Writer), Scarlett Johansson (Lead Actors)
Psychedelic Film Category: Cosmonautic
Trippiness Rating: Aliens, man… Aliens!
Okay… this psychedelic film is one of those ones that sticks with you for hours after credits roll. Renowned writer/director Jonathan Glazer really pours on the psychologically twisted notions of identity, sexualization and what it means to be human. Glazer’s style and cadence to this film is both captivating and disturbing, and Scarlet Johnasson’s performance is just as mesmerizing. The film dances between sci-fi and horror at times, but fits in moments of elemental emotions that strike at the core of human morality. Why do we sexualize everything? What drives humankind? Are we alone in the universe? And the fundamental question that this movie tackles is: If we aren’t alone… how do we stack up against other life-forms? Are we really so evolved, or are we a baseless species that just consumes everything it touches? These are some heavy-hitter subjects, and Under the Skin does an excellent job of acting on its title – peering under the surface of what we think we are, and really getting a sense of our intentions, motivations and our reactions. Be prepared to be shaken by this movie, so make sure if you’re watching it while under the influence of certain psychedelics that you’re in a positive headspace – this trippy film will make you think, make you feel, and make you question a lot about humanity.
Maniac (2018)
Netflix (Collaboration), Jonah Hill, Emma Stone, Justin Theroux, Sally Field (Lead Actors)
Psychedelic Film Category: Cosmonautic
Trippiness Rating: Reality Is So Overrated…
This isn’t an actual psychedelic film – Maniac is a Netflix produced mini series – but the collaborative efforts of the directors, writers and actors was so engrossing and provocative that it needed to be on this list of most trippy works of cinema. The series follows Jonah Hill’s character Owen and his pursuit of Emma Stone (Annie) through the mazes of virtual realities created for therapeutic purposes by Dr. Mantleray (Theroux) & Dr. Fujita (Sonoya Mizuno). The series is a blitz of colors, memories, relationships and a cocktail of emotions. Escapism and the dangers of diving too deep into one’s mind – with or without psychoactive substances – is a prominent theme of the series. What happens when a fractured mind finds purpose and value in the illusion of a false reality? Watch Maniac and step into a futuristic world where our minds are a playground in which we can explore ourselves, explore with others, and test the limits of what is possible.
Inception (2010)
Christopher Nolan (Director, Writer) Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Ellen Page, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Ken Watanabe, Cillion Murphy, Marion Cotillard (Lead Actors)
Psychedelic Film Category: Deep-Thought
Trippiness Rating: Mind-Blown… No, Mind SHATTERED!
It’s hard to believe that this film is already ten years old, because Inception is still one of the most mind-blowing spectacles of special effects we’ve seen in filmmaking. Christopher Nolan’s unparalleled cinematography and ability to write some very obscure yet compelling stories is always an enjoyable film experience – especially if you watch it with a healthy dose of psychedelics! The film is a combination of mind-blowing writing, in-depth characters brought to life by a star-studded cast including DiCaprio, Hardy, Gordon-Levitt, Watanabe & Page, and Nolan’s unique blend of practical effects and optical illusions. Inception as a film does its title justice as it puts the idea of living within our own mindscapes into reality, and the ending (no spoilers here) will literally have you spinning (you’ll see what we mean) for weeks on-end. Anyone who enjoys a mind-bending psychological thriller, but is also seeking a visual masterpiece, Inception is a truly one-of-a-kind movie that you must experience for yourself.
Interstellar (2014)
Christopher Nolan (Director, Co-Writer), Jonathan Nolan (Co-Writer), Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Michael Cane (Lead Actors)
Psychedelic Film Category: Enlightening Journey
Trippiness Rating: Alright, Alright, Alright (In Space)
Yes, another Nolan flick, because Mr. Christopher Nolan knows how to throw our senses for a loop whenever he puts his mind to a concept on-screen. One of the most visually mesmerizing movies you can watch to this day, Nolan’s Interstellar follows the emotional journey of Cooper (McConaughey), his family, and his fellow astronauts as they explore the cosmos (literally) looking for a suitable new home to humanity. This concept is enough to send most people reeling, but it’s the way in which Nolan leads us to the film’s conclusion that really deserves mentioning. Boasting some of the most realistic and yet imaginative scenes of space travel since 2001: A Space Odyssey, Interstellar leads us through many emotional scenes, asks us serious questions about mortality and morality, and ignites our imaginations about what is possible. Prototypical themes of “the triumph of the human spirit” and “love conquers all” permeate through the film, but it’s so complex that many viewers find themselves taking away new things after repeated viewings. If you’re not afraid of exploring, and your sense of wonder is only matched by your thirst for adventure, then Interstellar is a phenomenal film that really captures the essence of discovery.
Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
Terry Gilliam (Director, Co-Writer), Tony Grisoni, Alex Cox (Co-Writer), Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro (Lead Actors)
Psychedelic Film Category: Cosmonautic
Trippiness Rating: One Wild Ride in the Desert…
As one of the quintessential psychedelic movies, Fear & Loathing is easily one of the most recognizable trippy films of all time. Johnny Depp (Raoul) and Benicio Del Toro (Dr. Gonzo) rollick through an absolutely messy mind-bender of drugs, alcohol and a lust for escape from the normal. Fear & Loathing was one of the first psychedelic films that many of us see in terms of ‘movies about psychedelics’, so it has garnered a cult following and is often near the top of most lists of ‘top psychedelic movies’ (and for good reason). Similar to Blade Runner’s effect on the genre of sci-fi, Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas gives psychedelic movie fanatics all that they’re looking for in a trippy film: unique acting performances, bizarre storylines, head-spinning philosophical or mentally intriguing ideas, and a whole heck of a lot of drugs.
FOR FURTHER VIEWING PLEASURE…
Like we said, there’s so many worthy films that this blog could go on and on (much like a good trip on shrooms). Nevertheless, we picked our favorite psychedelic films that really resonated with us, but there are so many that we thought we had to at least point you in the right direction for further viewing.
Many of these psychedelic movies are literally about psychoactive substances, but others are cult-classics that explore humanity, consciousness and the natures of our own realities. Many of the same directors like Terry Gilliam, Stanley Kubrick and Guillermo Del Toro show up on this list multiple times, but there are also a wealth of hidden gems, such as world-class storytellers & animators like Ralph Baksi & Hayao Miyazaki that stand tall in their own rights.
Check out these other fantastic movies about psychedelics:
Trainspotting, Donnie Darko, Enter the Void, Pink Floyd: The Wall, The Matrix Trilogy & The Animatrix, Fantasia & Fantasia 2000, A Clockwork Orange, Baraka, Heavy Metal, Pan’s Labyrinth, DMT: The Spirit Molecule, Being John Malkovich, Princess Mononoke & Howl’s Moving Castle, The Zero Theorem, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Wizards, Moon , Annihilation
As you pursue enlightenment and valuable experiences throughout your lives, make sure you keep tethering yourself to these iconic films – there’s a lot to be gleaned from their stunning visuals, electric performances, and emotional stories.
