Top 10 Movies To Watch When Tripping

Here are our top 10 best films to watch while tripping. From dramas to comedies and creepy cartoons, this is a list full of dream-like (and sometimes unsettling) cinema. Enjoy!

Tripping is a beautiful undertaking that breathes new life into dozens of activities. And, although we'd always advise going out and getting close to nature when tripping, sometimes you want to chill out and give yourself some passive stimulation. If that's the case, we've compiled a list of ten great films to watch while tripping.

WHAT ARE THE BEST FILMS TO WATCH WHILE TRIPPING?

Of course, there are far more than ten great films to watch while tripping, but here are some of our favourites. Rather than go for classic "drug" films, such as stoner comedies, we've selected a list of movies ranging from challenging and thought-provoking to artistic and beautiful. See what you make of them below.

10. WAKING LIFE

Waking Life will parallel many of the thoughts and questions you're likely to have while tripping and, in that sense, is the perfect companion. The film's protagonist moves through a series of dream-like realities, in which he meets characters with whom he discusses several philosophical questions. From the meaning of life to the nature of reality, consciousness, dreams and lucid dreams, all these topics are dealt with in Waking Life.

If you're looking for an external representation of the inside of a tripping mind, Waking Life is a great place to start!

9. WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT

Surreal, funny, strangely comforting and yet slightly creepy, Who Framed Roger Rabbit is an absolute classic. Blending live-action and animation, it's a visual feast that will satisfy your trippy brain with its refusal to adhere to one or the other medium.

The film is set in 1940s Hollywood and borders on being a crime thriller. In a world where cartoons and people coexist, one private investigator must discover the truth behind the murder of Acme Corps' owner to prove that Roger Rabbit is innocent. What will he uncover?

8. MULHOLLAND DRIVE

Before you consider watching this film, know that some people find it pretty disturbing. If you've never watched a David Lynch film before and don't know the general vibe, perhaps keep away until you've experienced them sober.

If you know what to expect and like it, this incredibly complex, dark and mysterious film will get your mind racing. Even when sober, trying to figure out what's happening is near-impossible, so it's a satisfying challenge for the tripping mind. Set in 20th-century Hollywood, Mulholland Drive follows a young woman's attempt to make it in the film industry. From then on, though, nothing is as you'd expect.

7. BEING JOHN MALKOVICH

Funny and strange, Being John Malkovich is a fascinating film that deals with time, space and madness. John Malkovich (played by actor John Malkovich) is not the autobiographical you'd expect unless John is secretly being controlled by someone else!

In the film, a puppeteer finds a portal in an office block, which allows him to directly access the mind of John Malkovich, and maybe even take control of it. But then, does the puppeteer choose to keep his secret or let the world in on it? And what happens when more than one mind vies for control of a single body? You'll have to watch it to find out.

6. BIRDMAN

A visual and auditory delight, Birdman is part sensory wonder and partially a study of film, literature and theatre. Focussing on a washed-up, alcoholic actor, the story deals with his attempts to find his place in the acting world. However, that description merely scratches the film's surface. Toying with the expectations of cinema and throwing in endless references to literature—from Shakespeare to Carver—there's a lot to unpack here.

Its amazing sound design, combined with a highly original rendition of Shakespeare's "tomorrow, and tomorrow and tomorrow" monologue (Macbeth), makes Birdman an outstanding piece of cinema and a tripper's delight.

5. WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (1971)

You're missing out if you haven't seen Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Still, if you have seen it, you understand why it's on this list. Surreal, playful, and not without its fairly dark moments, the 1971 version is one of the best films to watch while tripping. Based on Roald Dahl's original story, it is a film which transcends age groups and can be enjoyed by anyone.

You don't need to be tripping to get the whole experience, but it certainly lends itself to a bit of psychedelia. Just try not to be creeped out by the Oompa Loompas.

4. VICTORIA

Victoria is a masterclass in cinematography and acting. The whole film is a single shot, which is crucial to its realisation and far from a gimmick. Tense, dramatic and heart-rending, this is one of the more intense films to watch while tripping. So if you want a chilled evening, skip this one for now.

Set in Berlin, this film follows the main character, Victoria, from meeting a group of friends to the film's devastating conclusion. It doesn't let up for a second, and you will find yourself well and truly glued to the edge of your seat. Just make sure that you have a peaceful activity to indulge in afterwards.

3. JOKER

Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Joker tells the origin story of Batman's arch-enemy, the Joker. But make no mistake, this is in no way a traditional superhero movie, making only brief nods to the world of Batman. Otherwise, it's a gritty story, telling how mental illness and social deprivation can drive a person to commit atrocious acts.

So why is it on this list? Well, visually, it's beautiful. Almost perfectly capturing the noir style of early comic books, but translating that into crisp, modern cinematography is no mean feat. Dark, brooding music, gritty visuals, and exceptional acting keep this film going and create an undeniably powerful mood.

2. FANTASIA (1940)

Fantasia is undoubtedly one of the best films to watch while tripping and could easily compete for first place. Essentially, it's a feature-length music video set to an orchestral score. Including classic characters such as Micky Mouse, Fantasia takes viewers into a strange and mysterious world.

However, just because it contains Disney characters, don't think it's a children's film. Fantasia is so much more! At points, it becomes so surreal that it almost borders on sinister. Of all the films on this list, you're liable to get totally lost in Fantasia for its duration. Expect to enter a veritable dream state!

1. ALICE IN WONDERLAND (1951)

The story of Alice in Wonderland is so trippy that there is a never-ending debate about whether or not hallucinogens inspired it. Of all the renditions over the years, The 1951 animation is perhaps the best at capturing the book's strangeness (also well worth a read)! As a representation of the tripping mind, it's hard to get much better than Alice In Wonderland.

Just in case you've never seen it before, some points in the film can be pretty unsettling. Many of the characters are mad, and few are exceptionally kind. Nevertheless, it will send your mind spinning!

PREPARE FOR A WILD RIDE

There we have it, our top ten films to watch while tripping.

Watching films while on hallucinogens, such as magic mushrooms, is an incredibly immersive affair, so indulge! If possible, hook up to some speakers and watch it on a bigger screen, as the more sensory stimulation you can give yourself, the better the experience will be. Sit back, relax, and enjoy yourself!