Up in Smoke (1978)

38% of critics liked it
(16 reviews)
80% of users liked it
(60,181 ratings)

Then professional potheads Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong teamed up for Cheech & Chong: Up In Smoke, which features the drug-addled duo on a road trip throughout California; that is to say, a road-trip they hope will culminate in finding some quality weed. Instead, a series of mishaps result in their… More Then professional potheads Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong teamed up for Cheech & Chong: Up In Smoke, which features the drug-addled duo on a road trip throughout California; that is to say, a road-trip they hope will culminate in finding some quality weed. Instead, a series of mishaps result in their respective deportations to Mexico. Desperate to get back to the states so they can perform in their band's gig later that night, Cheech and Chong unwittingly agree to drive a very unique car across the border -- rather than steel and various metal bits, the vehicle is constructed entirely out of marijuana. Back in the States and accompanied by two extraordinarily out-of-it female hitchhikers, the stoned group meanders about in an attempt to get their musical performance together, and narrowly escapes from local law enforcement agencies on numerous occasions despite their complete inability to realize they were being tailed to begin with. The incredibly low-budget movie surprised critics, grossed millions, spawned a series of lesser follow-up films, and cemented Cheech & Chong's cult-status among potheads across the globe. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 27 min.
Directed By: Lou Adler, Tommy Chong
Written By: Tommy Chong, Cheech Marin
Genres: Action & Adventure, Comedy

In Theaters: Sep 15, 1978 Wide
On DVD: Nov 21, 2000
Studio: Paramount Pictures

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
What's lacking in Up in Smoke is a cohesiveness in both humor and characterization.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Director Lou Adler (the record producer) finds a few chuckles, but mostly it's amateur night.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The funniest of all the Cheech and Chong movies, Up in Smoke provides a feast of gags for the sympathetically minded.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
This Cheech and Chong weed comedy was dismissed by most critics (and parents) but it was embraced by young viewers and launched the subgenre of "stoner" comedies way before Linklater made Slacker.
Fernando F. Croce, Slant Magazine
Whether or not this stoner classic is as funny as you remember, this edition is a munchies-included keeper for C&C fans.
Fernando F. Croce, Slant Magazine
As far as comedic ingredients go, weed is not so much a surefire laugh-getter as it is a free-floating lubricant capable of setting off wicked complications.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
Cheech & Chong had their act down pat by '78 and turned out to be a natural movie-comedy team.
, Time Out
As the most fun comes not from watching the movie but from recalling great lines later, it would seem that the audio success of C & C has not translated too well into visuals.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Up in Smoke is the world's most revered -- and most idiotic -- drug movie.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
one joke stretched too far
, Film4
A cult drug movie that lacks decent acting, script or direction.
Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle
The duo wrote the genial script about the never-ending search for great pot, and a good supporting cast co-stars.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
The boys first, and still their best, foray into cinematic stonededness.

Read all 13 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Ken S

First twenty minutes are fun, it quickly goes down hill from there.
James A

The last time I saw this movie I was 10 and didn't get it. Today it still holds up as a funny movie that makes me miss my family in California.
Chris G

This is where the stoner film began.Up in Smoke has a basic plot. Two guys are trying to score weed for 90 minutes. What they inadvertently score on the way is an upholstery warehouse van made of marijuana. Let the fun begin. There's not much you can say about Up in Smoke.… More
This is where the stoner film began.Up in Smoke has a basic plot. Two guys are trying to score weed for 90 minutes. What they inadvertently score on the way is an upholstery warehouse van made of marijuana. Let the fun begin. There's not much you can say about Up in Smoke. It's not Olivier style acting but it is a hilarious movie full of those wonderful quotables that only goog movies have. A must for cult viewing. I knew that the legendary Strother Martin was in this, I forgot that Tom Skerritt was, and didn't even know that Harry Dean Stanton had his role as the deputy trying to sell Chong pills was cut from the film.
Khris N

"Looks like quarter pounder man!!" XD The two craziest stoners in history began life in the movies with this cult classic! And they sure dont make them as they used to!! Join Cheech and Chong on their daily adventures in search for marijuna and a good time,… More
"Looks like quarter pounder man!!" XD The two craziest stoners in history began life in the movies with this cult classic! And they sure dont make them as they used to!! Join Cheech and Chong on their daily adventures in search for marijuna and a good time, plus getting ready to play a gig which could seal them a record deal! side splitting stuff!! XD
Curtis L

Funny I suppose.
Rachel F

Hilarious.
danny d

dumb
Juan C

it's one of cheech marin's funniest performance that will make you stoned with laughter! A
Nay Nay B

eh, i respect cheech marin and tommy chong for reasons unknown but still... eh.
Marion R

Meh, just didn't care for it. I did laugh once or twice, but overall it was really dumb.
Quinto W

I'm not sure exactly what to think of this film, since it depends heavily on wether you see it high or sober.
Stefan P

Low-level humour and I feel a little guilty for enjoying it so much. A must see for everyone that likes stoner-movies.
Leo L

Hilarious!
Christopher B

Not a huge fan of, "I'm so stoned" humour, but it's almost like a strange, perverted take on the comedy duos of the past like Laurel and Hardy and Abbott and Costello.

Read all 14 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Cheech Marin as Pedro

            Tommy Chong as Man Stoner

            Stacy Keach as Sgt. Stedenko

            Edie Adams as Mrs. Stoner

            Tom Skerritt as Strawberry

            Strother Martin as Mr. Stoner

            Zane Buzby as Jade East

            Anne Wharton as Debbie

            Louisa Moritz as Officer Gloria

            June Fairchild as Ajax Sniffer

            Val Avery as Upholstery Factory Boss

            Rick Beckner as Murphy

            Berlin Brats
            
            The Dills
            
            Angelina Estrada as Aunt Bolita

            Harold Fong as Chauffeur

            Donald Hotton as Bailiff

            Jon Ian Jacobs as Prosecuting Attorney

            Karl Johnson as Clyde

            Christopher Joy as Curtis

            Betty McGuire as Sister Mary Quacker

            Cheryl Smith as Laughing Lady

            Ray Vitte as James

            Mills Watson as Harry

            The Whores
            
            Arthur Roberts as Arresting Officer

            Rodney Bingenheimer as Himself

            Ernie Fuentes as Upholstery Shop Foreman

            Ruben Guevara as Tom

            Gary Mule Deer as Freak with Basketball

            Jose Pulido as Juan

            Marcia Wolf as Sister Mary Vogue

            Benny Marino as Benny

            Michael Caldwell as Duane
See full cast

Up in Smoke (1978)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Ken S

James A

Chris G

Khris N

Curtis L

Rachel F

danny d

Juan C

Nay Nay B

Marion R

Quinto W

Stefan P

Leo L

Christopher B

Cast

Trailers & Clips

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