Drug films are films that depict either illicit drug distribution or drug use, whether as a major theme, such as by centering the film around drug subculture or by depicting it in a few memorable scenes. Drug cinema ranges from gritty social realism depictions to the utterly surreal depictions in art film and experimental film.
Some filmmakers create unabashedly pro- or anti-drug works, while others are less judgmental, allowing the viewer to draw their own conclusions. Drugs commonly shown in such films include cocaine, heroin and other opioids, LSD, cannabis (see stoner film) and methamphetamine.
There is extensive overlap with crime films, which sometimes treat drugs as plot devices to keep the action moving.
The following is a partial list of drug films and the substances involved.
0–9
1. Mai – Helden bei der Arbeit (2008) – MDMA
10 To Midnight (1983) – cannabis
21 Grams (2003) – cocaine
21 Jump Street (2012) – HFS (a fictional drug), cannabis
22 Jump Street (2014) – WHYPHY (a fictional drug) 24 Hour Party People (2002) – MDMA, cocaine, heroin, methadone, cannabis, and a mention of the large amount of crack in Barbados 25th Hour (2002) – heroin, MDMA 28 Days (2000) – prescription drugs, heroin, alcohol 28 Days Later (2002) – prescription drugs (Valium) 30 Minutes or Less (2011) – cannabis The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005) – cannabis 50/50 (2011) – cannabis The 51st State (2001) – POS 51 (a fictional drug); mentions cocaine, LSD and MDMA 54 (1998) – cannabis, cocaine, MDMA, Quaaludes 9 (2009) – Magnet (a fictional drug), used by 8 which causes a drug-like effect 99 Francs (2007) – cannabis, cocaine
A
A Street Cat Named Bob (2016) – Heroin, Methadone, Cannabis
The Acid House (1998) – LSD, cannabis, poppers
Across The Universe (2007) – LSD, cannabis, some kind of opiate (presumably morphine) Acts of Worship (2001) – heroin, crack cocaine Adam & Paul (2003) – heroin, cannabis Adaptation. (2002) – fictional version of ghost orchid powder Adulthood (2008) – cannabis, cocaine Adventureland (2009) – cannabis Air America (1990) – heroin, opium Airplane! (1980) – cocaine, glue, amphetamine Alice in Acidland (1969) – LSD Alice (1988) – Amanita muscaria Almost Famous (2000) – cannabis, Vicodin, LSD and Quaaludes Alpha Dog (2007) – cannabis Altered States (1980) – cannabis, Amanita muscaria, LSD, DMT, and psilocybin American Beauty (1999) – cannabis American Cowslip (2009) – heroin American Gangster (2007) – heroin and cocaine American Made (2017) – cocaine American Psycho (2000) – cocaine, Halcion, Xanax, ecstasy and cannabis American Ultra (2015) – cannabis American Virgin (2009) – cannabis, unspecified drugs Amores Perros (2001) – cocaine Analyze That (2002) – cocaine Animal Kingdom (2010) – cannabis, cocaine, heroin The Anniversary Party (2001) – MDMA Annie Hall (1977) – cocaine Another Day in Paradise (1997) – heroin, references to morphine, biphetamine, methamphetamine and cocaine Another Happy Day (2011) – fentanyl Apocalypse Now (1979) – cannabis, LSD, and opium Around the Fire (1999) – cannabis, LSD Arrebato (1979) – heroin, cocaine and amyl nitrite Assassin of Youth (1937) – cannabis At Close Range (1986) – cannabis, pills, amphetamines Atlantic City (1980) – cocaine Attack the Block (2011) – cannabis, crack/cocaine Attack of the Meth Gator (2023) - methamphetamine Avenging Disco Godfather (1979) – PCP Awakening of the Beast (1970, aka O Ritual dos Sádicos and O Despertar da Besta) – LSD Awaydays (2009) – cocaine, cannabis and heroin