If you asked the average stoner comedy fan to rank the Cheech & Chong filmography, the conversation usually starts and ends with Up in Smoke. And rightfully so—that 1978 classic invented the genre. But if you dig a little deeper into the duo’s catalog, past the debut and the skit-heavy Next Movie, you’ll find a glowing, green gem that often doesn't get the love it deserves: Nice Dreams.
"I don't want a buddy," Stedenko hissed, reaching for his cuffs. "I want justice!"
The brilliance of the setup is the disguise. Who is going to suspect the ice cream man? It allows for a series of great gags involving kids, cops, and unsuspecting customers. It also gives the film a bright, sunny aesthetic that separates it from the grimy, punk-rock vibe of Up in Smoke. This is Cheech & Chong living the good life—until, of course, everything goes wrong.
7. Conclusion Nice Dreams is quintessential early-80s stoner comedy: loose, juvenile, drug-friendly, and proudly silly. While not as groundbreaking as Up in Smoke, it captures the duo’s chemistry at its peak and remains a beloved time capsule of counterculture humor. It works best as a series of sketches rather than a narrative film, and for fans of the genre, it’s essential viewing.