The 21 best trippy movies and TV shows on Netflix (October 2025)

Bad Trip (2021)

Eric André has made a career out of making people extremely uncomfortable in the name of comedy, and he’s at his best in the movie Bad Trip. A hidden camera comedy prank movie in the style of Jackass or Bad Grandpa, Bad Trip is about Bud and Chris (André and Lil Rel Howery), two friends who take a road trip from Florida to New York City in search of a girl Chris likes (Michaela Conlin), while struggling to evade Bud’s criminal sister (Tiffany Haddish), whose car they stole.

The movie is a trip to watch, and according to André, even more of a trip to film. (See: his interview with EW where he talks about how one particular prank in the movie almost got Howrey killed.) A nice addition to the prank-tertainment genre, Bad Trip is fun, funny, and, at times, even heartwarming. —Ilana Gordon

Where to watch Bad Trip: Netflix

Director: Kitao Sakurai

Cast: Eric André, Lil Rel Howery, Tiffany Haddish, Michaela Conlin

Becoming Led Zeppelin (2025)

The summer of ‘69 wouldn’t have been the same without the formation of Led Zeppelin. The rock band missed the British Invasion, but took America by storm at the end of the ‘60s, becoming the number one musical group by 1970, and one of the best-selling musical acts of all time.

Becoming Led Zeppelin is the band’s first authorized documentary and follows the group’s creation and early years together. Featuring three of the four bandmates — John Bonham died in 1980 at 32 years old, his story is presented through archival interviews — Becoming Led Zeppelin is music history told right. —I.G.

Where to watch Becoming Led Zeppelin: Netflix

Director: Bernard MacMahon

Cast: Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, John Bonham, Robert Plant

Behind Her Eyes (2021)

Your mileage may vary, but we at EW love trippy stories that veer in unexpected directions, and Behind Her Eyes is one such show. At first, the tale of a woman (Simona Brown) who starts sleeping with her boss (Tom Bateman) while navigating a strange relationship with his wife (Eve Hewson) might sound like a lurid Lifetime drama. However, the series soon becomes a mind-boggling supernatural thriller that’s a delight to dissect. —Chris Snellgrove

Where to watch Behind Her Eyes: Netflix 

Cast: Eve Hewson, Tom Bateman, Simona Brown, Robert Aramayo

Black Mirror (2011–present)

Black Mirror might be the optimal trippy anthology show if (and only if) you don’t mind some occasional bad vibes. The throughline in this series is examining how technology exacerbates the worst parts of society and human nature, painting a bleak reflection of our present reality through razor-sharp sci-fi stories.

Episodes run the gamut from memory implants gone awry to astronauts committing familicide from space, though EW’s writer notes that some installments have a “dash of faithful techno-optimism” that stoners may welcome as a change of pace. —C.S.

Where to watch Black Mirror: Netflix

EW grade: A–

Cast: Bryce Dallas Howard, Hayley Atwell, Jon Hamm, Anthony Mackie, Daniel Kaluuya, Salma Hayek

Carol & the End of the World (2023)

It’s the end of the world, and I feel…nothing? That’s the premise of this trippy series, following Carol (Martha Kelly) as she sinks into the mundane joys of life while everyone else is partying like…well…it’s the end of the world. Another planet is about to collide with Earth, and most of humanity is living like it’s the first act of a frat comedy film. Carol, on the other hand, craves routine and finds it with the help of a coworker (Laurie Metcalf) and friend (Gillian Jacobs), leaving audiences to debate the meaning of their own lives. —C.S.

Where to watch Carol & the End of the World: Netflix

Cast: Martha Kelly, Beth Grant, Lawrence Pressman, Kimberly Hébert Gregory, Laurie Metcalf, Gillian Jacobs

Dark (2017–2020)

Dark is unlike anything else on television. The bleak German sci-fi series begins in the modern era with a concerned town searching for missing children, but a nearby wormhole brings in some time travel elements that make everything more complex and captivating. Though the premise is quite serious, the plot is a trippy treat, serving up a mystery that spans three generations and glimpses at the ever-changing future. —C.S.

Where to watch Dark: Netflix

Cast: Dietrich Hollinderbäumer, Maja Schöne, Angela Winkler, Florian Panzner

Donnie Darko (2001)

Sleep disorders, hallucinations, and rabbit costume-clad figures prophesying humanity’s imminent destruction are just a few of the treats provided in Donnie Darko, a trippy sci-fi thriller with a stacked cast. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Donnie, a teenager struggling with his mental health, who begins sleepwalking and experiencing visions that take a toll on his everyday life. Also starring Jake’s real-life sibling Maggie Gyllenhaal as Donnie’s sister, the film was quickly adopted by college kids and film students as the movie to watch in the early aughts.

Donnie Darko struggled at the box office primarily due to bad timing: The film’s theatrical release was scheduled for shortly after the 9/11 attacks and the movie — which features a plane crash — suffered accordingly. Regardless, the film quickly achieved cult classic status, and represents one of Gyllenhaal’s best performances. —I.G.

Where to watch Donnie Darko: Netflix

Director: Richard Kelly

Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Drew Barrymore, Seth Rogen, Jena Malone, Patrick Swayze, Ashley Tisdale

Entergalactic (2022)

Serving up eye candy and ear candy, Entergalactic is an animated companion piece to Kid Cudi’s album of the same name, painting an electric, eclectic world in the style of the Spider-Verse movies. The plot involves a young artist (Scott Mescudi) who falls hard for the girl next door (Jessica Williams), while Kudi’s music and stunning visuals color their love in cosmic shades. —C.S.

Where to watch Entergalactic: Netflix

Director: Fletcher Moules

Cast: Scott Mescudi, Jessica Williams, Ty Dolla Sign, Timothée Chalamet

Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics (2020)

It may be a little on the nose, but what makes for a better trippy film than your favorite celebs talking about tripping? Host Nick Offerman brings his usual impish warmth to this Netflix documentary, but the real draw is hearing famous people describe their own journeys (sometimes good, sometimes bad, always memorable) with psychedelic drugs. Of particular note is seeing dearly departed stars (including Anthony Bourdain and Carrie Fisher) share their stories — and hilarious wisdom — with us once more. —C.S.

Where to watch Have A Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics: Netflix

Director: Donick Cary

Cast: Nick Offerman, Carrie Fisher, A$AP Rocky, Nick Kroll, Natasha Lyonne, Ben Stiller 

How to Change Your Mind (2022)

While some trippy shows have a more playful bent, How to Change Your Mind takes the topic of psychedelics very seriously. Sure, it focuses on things like LSD and MDMA, but rather than extol their recreational benefits, this docuseries (based on the book of the same name by Michael Pollan) sees the author explain the history of drug use in therapeutic settings. The title is quite literal; no matter what state you’re currently in, you’ll learn how the right drugs could literally change your mind. —C.S. 

Where to watch How to Change Your Mind: Netflix

Cast: Michael Pollan

Life in Color (2021)

If you’re a nature documentary lover, then you know that anything hosted by David Attenborough is the real deal. Life in Color clocks in at only three episodes, making this miniseries more of a visual snack than an entire buffet. However, it’s a satisfying treat that explores how animals use color to navigate their daily lives and survive deadly encounters. In a world where wildlife docs are a dime a dozen, this niche focus stands out from the herd. —C.S.

Where to watch Life in Color: Netflix

Cast: David Attenborough

Limitless (2011)

In 2009’s comedy The Hangover, Bradley Cooper’s character seemingly uses 0 percent of his brain. Two years later, Cooper appeared in the sci-fi thriller Limitless, where his character, Eddie, uses all 100 percent. Eddie is a struggling author (as evidenced by his unkempt hair) living in New York City whose life takes a 180-degree turn after a friend introduces him to a new drug called NZT.

An untested pill that allows users to tap into their entire brain’s potential — as opposed to the usual 20 percent humans are supposedly able to access — NZT opens up Eddie’s world. With the help of his supply, Eddie finishes his book and kills it on the stock market and in his relationship with Lindy (Abbie Cornish) — but his success doesn’t go unnoticed, and soon everyone from finance tycoon Carl Van Loon (Robert De Niro) to the Russian Mob wants a piece of him. —I.G.

Where to watch Limitless: Netflix

Director: Neil Burger

Cast: Bradley Cooper, Abbie Cornish, Robert De Niro, Andrew Howard, Anna Friel 

Love, Death + Robots (2019–present)

This futuristic anthology series produced by David Fincher sees a revolving door of animators craft thought-provoking shorts. Love, Death + Robots was originally conceived of as a reboot of the ‘80s midnight movie Heavy Metal, and it succeeds as a successor by making dystopia look as stylish as it is sad.

Robots might be a major focus of the title, but like the best sci-fi works, this series also emphasizes the vulnerable human elements embedded in each story. Volume 4 is now available to stream and since each episode is only between six and 22 minutes long, Love, Death + Robots makes for a speedy binge. —C.S.

Where to watch Love, Death + Robots: Netflix

Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Topher Grace, Troy Baker, Josh Brener

The Magic School Bus (1994–1997)

The best field trips in the ‘90s took place aboard a flying yellow school bus. Lily Tomlin voices Ms. Frizzle, an eccentric science teacher who chauffeurs her students through time, space, and the human body via the titular mode of transportation.

The Magic School Bus ran for four seasons on PBS where it became the highest-rated show on the network for school-aged kids. And the show’s list of guest stars includes some of the most accomplished voice, stage, and comedic actors of the time. Only the first season is available to stream on Netflix, but with 13 episodes ready to go, there are plenty of reasons to hitch a ride. —I.G.

Where to watch The Magic School Bus: Netflix

Cast: Lily Tomlin, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Lisa Yamanaka

The Midnight Gospel (2020)

The concept behind The Midnight Gospel is trippy in and of itself. This series takes audio from the Duncan Trussell Family Hour podcast and, through animated direction by Adventure Time creator Pendleton Ward, turns everything into a navel-gazing voyage from hell (or heaven, as the tone turns on a dime).

It’s difficult to sum up this surreal show, but EW’s critic took a crack at it, writing, “It’s an action-packed cartoon about humanity’s spiritual reckoning with reality, and a meditative odyssey across hallucinogenic science-fictional fantasies. There are sequences bone-dripped with hard-R freakout imagery — but the vibe is whimsical, full of freewheeling conversation.” —C.S.

Where to watch The Midnight Gospel: Netflix

EW grade: A

Cast: Duncan Trussell, Phil Hendrie, Drew Pinsky, Damien Echols

The Other One: The Long Strange Trip of Bob Weir (2015)

The ‘60s were a wild time, man, and if you weren’t there — or if you were there and psychedelia and the passing of time have made that period hazy — The Other One: The Long, Strange Trip of Bob Weir is here to help you tap into that special period. The film centers around Bob Weir, guitarist, singer, and founding member of the rock band the Grateful Dead.

Deadheads, music history fans, and documentary lovers will all appreciate the film, which goes deep on Weir’s childhood, his work with the rock band RatDog, and his success with the Dead, the group known for pioneering the “jam band” style that would later be popularized by groups like Phish, Blues Traveler, and the Dave Matthews Band. In another twist, the film is directed by Mike Fleiss the creator and former producer of The Bachelor. —I.G.

Where to watch The Other One: The Long Strange Trip of Bob Weir: Netflix

Director: Mike Fleiss

Cast: Bob Weir

Our Universe (2022)

Rather than focusing on plants or animals, this docuseries explores how Earth is connected to billions of years of cosmic history and development. With the help of host Morgan Freeman, you’ll discover the link between things like starlight and your own body. For veteran trippers with a cosmic bent, the Sagan-like wisdom that we’re all made of “star stuff” might be old news. But this series has more than a few surprises, and what trip could be complete without narration from the voice of God himself? —C.S.

Where to watch Our Universe: Netflix

Cast: Morgan Freeman

Pineapple Express (2008)

Long before Seth Rogen was making pot paraphernalia, he was making stoner films — and Pineapple Express is one for the ages. A crime comedy, the movie follows Dale (Rogen) and his drug dealer Saul (James Franco) as they flee town after Dale accidentally witnesses a corrupt cop and a drug lord execute a rival gang leader.

Rogen and his frequent collaborator Evan Goldberg wrote the script — likely with the help of a few Pineapple Express-infused brainstorming sessions — and the movie excels in its more physical moments. Watching the film even feels like being high, thanks to the stylistic choices made by director David Gordon Green. EW’s critic writes, “he brings the movie his own loping, run-on style, which turns out to be a perfect expression of the stoner rhythm.” —I.G.

Where to watch Pineapple Express: Netflix

EW grade: B

Director: David Gordon Green

Cast: Seth Rogen, James Franco, Danny McBride, Gary Cole, Craig Robinson, Rosie Perez, Ken Jeong, Amber Heard, Ed Begley Jr., Bill Hader

They Cloned Tyrone (2023)

Good trips and conspiracy theories go hand in hand, but what if surreal comedy was added to the mix? That’s the vibe in They Cloned Tyrone, a film that brings together powerhouse talents Jamie Foxx and John Boyega. When Boyega’s character is fatally shot and then shows up healthy (albeit slightly amnesiac), it kicks off an investigation into a government cloning project targeting Black people. The movie has some real things to say about race and government exploitation, but it never loses its comic appeal amid the weighty messages. —C.S.

Where to watch They Cloned Tyrone: Netflix

Director: Juel Taylor

Cast: John Boyega, Teyonah Parris, Jamie Foxx, David Alan Grier, Kiefer Sutherland

A Trip to Infinity (2022)

A hallmark of a good trip (be it physical or pharmaceutical) is obtaining a fresh perspective. That’s the goal of this documentary, in which Jonathan Halperin and Drew Takahashi explore the abstract concept of infinity. Their approach utilizes equal parts physics and philosophy, and by the time the credits roll, you may have more questions than answers. Nonetheless, the endlessly entertaining movie is a trip worth taking. —C.S.

Where to watch A Trip to Infinity: Netflix

Directors: Jonathan Halperin, Drew Takahashi

Cast: Alan Lightman, Brian Greene, Stephon Alexander, Steven Strogatz

Wormwood (2017)

True stories don’t get much trippier than Wormwood, the 2017 docudrama miniseries about Frank Olson, a scientist who died under mysterious circumstances in 1953 while working for the CIA on a secret biological warfare program. Told over six episodes, Wormwood follows Frank’s son, Eric Olson, as he pursues information that would clarify whether his father — an unknowing participant in the CIA’s experiments with LSD — died by suicide or was murdered by those who thought he knew too much.

Director Errol Morris stages the story using both talking head interviews and actors. But his real secret weapon lies in Eric’s story: The young son who lost his father and devoted his life to exposing the truth of what happened to him. But in remembering his dad, Eric says he forgot himself, and it’s in telling this tale that audiences see the real bitterness of Wormwood. —I.G.

Where to watch Wormwood: Netflix

Director: Errol Morris

Cast: Peter Sarsgaard, Molly Parker, Christian Camargo, Scott Shepherd, Tim Blake Nelson, Jimmi Simpson, Bob Balaban, Michael Chernus