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Up in Smoke

Up in Smoke

It will make you feel VERY funny!

197886 minRMidcredits score: 77th percentile of all films
Directors
Lou Adler, Tommy Chong
Starring
Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong, Strother Martin, Edie Adams

An unemployed pot-smoking slacker and amateur drummer, Anthony Stoner ditches his strict parents and hits the road, eventually meeting kindred spirit Pedro de Pacas. While the drug-ingesting duo is soon arrested for possession of marijuana, Anthony and Pedro get released on a technicality, allowing them to continue their many misadventures and ultimately compete in a rock band contest, where they perform the raucous tune "Earache My Eye."

Where to watch

Where can I watch Up in Smoke?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Up in Smoke streaming on Pluto TV (free) and to rent or buy on Prime Video.

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Up in Smoke?

Up in Smoke earns 7 badges, led by 10× return and Crowd Pleaser.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Up in Smoke worth watching?

Up in Smoke's Midcredits score is the 77th percentile of all films, from 88K ratings across 6 sources. 69% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

77th percentile

Better received than 77% of films

84th percentile among Comedy77th percentile among 1970s
Acclaim (how much people like it)74th
Approval (how many liked it)77th

68 /100

74th percentile of all films

82nd percentile among Comedy75th percentile among 1970s

Critics 57 · Audience 69

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.1 — solid but not unanimous.

69% liked it

77th percentile of all films

84th percentile among Comedy78th percentile among 1970s
69% rated it 7–1031% rated it 1–6

Critics 45% · Audience 82%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 1 wins / 0 noms overall

92nd percentile

88K ratings across platforms

91st percentile among Comedy95th percentile among 1970s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 16% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$2M
Domestic gross$44M
Worldwide gross$44M

Returned 22.2× its budget — 90th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A rambling, plotless stoner comedy built around Cheech and Chong's loose-limbed chemistry and marijuana-centric sketches.

Fans praised

  • Classic stoner comedy with enduring rewatchability
  • Loose, episodic structure that captures stoned vibe
  • Influential cult film that launched the stoner genre

Detractors panned

  • Thin plot with no narrative cohesion
  • Jokes repetitive, timing slack, humor one-note
  • Drug-glorifying script with little cinematic craft

What stands out

OriginalityDivisive70

Groundbreaking as the first mainstream stoner comedy; derivitive elements noted by detractors

AtmosphereDivisive65

Authentic late-70s SoCal counterculture time capsule

ActingDivisive62

Cheech and Chong's natural chemistry and improvisational rapport anchor the film

DialogueDivisive60

Quotable catchphrases and stoner banter; overuse of 'man' grates on some

CharactersDivisive55

Broad stoner archetypes with distinctive personas but minimal depth

HumorDivisive54

Classic stoner gags but repetitive; first half stronger than second

Pacing35

Slow stretches and uneven rhythm; first half lively, second half drags

Plot and story25

Paper-thin, episodic, meandering search-for-weed structure

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 19 points higher than women.

Critics vs users

Preferred by Users

Users scored it 15 points higher than critics.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Under-30s vs over-30s 7 points apart
  • US vs non-US 4 points apart

Watch experience

What is Up in Smoke like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Easy laugh: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something light that makes you laugh and does not take itself seriously.

It is gentle and leaves you entertained. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Easy laugh.

Moods
AbsurdJoyfulThrilling
Heaviest: middle
Absurdist humor: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.
Register
PlayfulAbsurdist · 7% of films: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.Episodic · 13% of films: Loosely connected incidents rather than one driving plot.
TonePlays its stoner gags and cop-baiting with a knowing, laid-back wink — the film is on the side of its characters, not mocking them, but it never takes itself seriously.
The rideThe film maintains a consistently light, goofy, and upbeat mood throughout, with the most chaotic and high-energy antics in the middle stretch (drug factory, border crossing, chase).
StructureA mostly chronological story moves from meeting, through a chain of loosely connected episodes, to a concert finale.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

FunFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayA light, carefree journey through slapstick and weed gags leaves you grinning and a bit nostalgic for '70s counterculture.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Comedy
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11% (this title): Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% (this title) · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Buddy comedy: A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).

11% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeTwo stoners meet by chance and drift through a series of disconnected misadventures marked by pot-smoking, police chases and accidental smuggling. The goal shifts constantly and the plot is loose, but the film is structured as a buddy comedy.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfFriendship
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% (this title) · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% (this title) · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5% (this title)
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Friendship · 9% of filmsFreedom · 5% of filmsAmbition · 7% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe film centers on the instant, easygoing friendship between Pedro and Anthony, their shared pursuit of getting high and having fun, and their dream of making it as musicians.
StanceThe film wholeheartedly celebrates the friendship and carefree lifestyle of its stoner protagonists, presenting their every antic as harmless fun.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanWildernessIn transitStylized realism
RockFolkForeground music · hybrid
SettingSouthern California stoner circuit: beaches, lowrider cruises, police stations, Tijuana, and the Roxy Theater
MusicFeatures the original Cheech & Chong song 'Earache My Eye' as a centerpiece performance.

Content guide

Is Up in Smoke okay for kids?

R

Up in Smoke is rated R. As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at minimal (5/100), sexual content at moderate (44/100), language at moderate (56/100), drug and alcohol content at severe (90/100) and frightening material at minimal (4/100). Overall it is heavier than 40% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 9 other countries
  • UK18
  • AustraliaMA 15+
  • Germany18
  • France16
  • JapanPG12
  • Brazil16
  • Denmark15
  • PortugalM/18
  • Sweden15
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 64% of all filmsHeavier than 40% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
None / Minimal
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 1%
Sex & Nudity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 43%
Profanity
Moderate
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 31%
Alcohol & Drugs
Severe
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 98%
Frightening / Intense
None / Minimal
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 1%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is drug and alcohol content. Everything else sits at or below what R-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Up in Smoke have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Up in Smoke?

Cast

7 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen.

Cheech Marin
as Pedro
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
Tommy Chong
as Man
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Strother Martin
as Mr. Stoner
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Edie Adams
as Tempest Stoner
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.
Harold Fong
as Chauffeur
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Richard Novo
as Richard
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Jane Moder
as Jail Bait
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Pam Bille
as Jail Bait
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Arthur Roberts
as Arresting Officer
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Marian Beeler
as Judge Gladys Dykes
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Up in Smoke?

Movies like Up in Smoke include Cheech and Chong's Next Movie (1980), Still Smokin (1983) and The Stöned Age (1994). Of the 12 closest matches, two are films written by Tommy Chong, and several are road movies.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

All 12 share its story type: buddy comedy. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Up in Smoke?

774 other films share the rarest tag below, up against: police officer. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.