Films and documentaries play a surprisingly large role in how people prepare for a psychedelic experience. Some films provide insight into the science behind psilocybin, others bring philosophical ideas to life, and still others are purely visually impressive and are watched during a mild psychedelic experience.

Within the psychedelic community, films are therefore often viewed in three different contexts.

Firstly, there are documentaries that explain psychedelic therapy and consciousness. These are particularly valuable for people who want to delve deeper into the subject.

Additionally, there are films that are watched in preparation for a psychedelic session. They introduce ideas about consciousness, connectedness, mortality, and identity. During a psychedelic experience, these ideas can subsequently develop into personal insights.

Finally, there are films that people watch while on a low dose of psychedelics. This is sometimes movie trips mentioned. Here, the emphasis is less on introspection and more on visual experience, music, and emotion.

In this article, we discuss films and documentaries that fit into these three categories.

Documentaries about psychedelics and consciousness

The world of psilocybin, consciousness, and psychedelic therapy is receiving increasing attention in documentaries, podcasts, and other media. These productions show how psychedelic substances work, which therapeutic applications are being explored, and how people integrate their experiences.

For many people, documentaries are their first introduction to psychedelics. They help develop realistic expectations and provide a scientific and philosophical context.

How to Change Your Mind

The most accessible documentary about psychedelics is probably How to Change Your Mind, based on the book by Michael Pollan. This Netflix series explores the history and therapeutic potential of LSD, psilocybin, MDMA, and mescaline.

Pollan speaks with scientists, therapists, and participants in clinical studies. You will gain insight into how psychedelic therapy works, why set and setting are so important, and how psychedelic experiences can help people with depression, anxiety, and addiction.

The combination of scientific research and personal stories makes this series particularly suitable for people who want to prepare for their own psychedelic session.

Magic Medicine

The documentary Magic Medicine follows the research by Robin Carhart-Harris at Imperial College London into psilocybin as a treatment for treatment-resistant depression.

The film shows how participants prepare for their session, how the session itself unfolds, and how integration takes place afterward. Through these personal stories, you get a good picture of what a therapeutic psychedelic experience can mean.

Fantastic Fungi

Fantastic Fungi is a visually impressive documentary about the world of fungi and mushrooms. Although the film covers more than just psilocybin, attention is also paid to the therapeutic and spiritual role of psychedelic mushrooms.

The story of mycologist Paul Stamets, who overcame his stuttering after a psilocybin experience, is particularly inspiring.

Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics

For a lighter take on psychedelics, is Have a good trip An entertaining documentary. Famous actors recount their psychedelic experiences, often supported by animations and reconstructions.

Although the tone is humorous, important lessons are also discussed, such as the importance of preparation and guidance.

Other valuable documentaries

In addition to these well-known titles, there are several other documentaries that are regularly recommended:

1. Magic Medicine

2. Fantastic Fungi

3. Have a good trip

4. The Sunshine Makers

5. The Last Shaman

6. My Octopus Teacher

7. A Trip to Infinity

These films offer a broader perspective on consciousness, nature, and psychedelic experiences.

Films as preparation for a psychedelic session

Not all preparation films are directly about psychedelics. Some films address themes that often emerge during a psychedelic experience.

Consider, for example, questions such as:

1. What is consciousness?

2. What is the meaning of life?

3. How does man relate to the universe?

Films that address these themes can serve as interesting mental preparation.

Philosophical and introspective films

Films often mentioned for introspective purposes are:

1. The Tree of Life

2. Waking Life

3. A Scanner Darkly

4. Fantastic Planet

5. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

6. Enter the Void

These films play with perspective, identity, and reality, often raising philosophical questions.

Cosmic and existential films

Other films focus on the relationship between humans and the universe.

Examples are:

1. Interstellar

2. Inception

3. 2001: A Space Odyssey

4. Dune

5. Dune Part Two

6. Blade Runner

7. Blade Runner 2049

8. Tron Legacy

9. The Matrix

These films often evoke a sense of wonder about the universe and the nature of reality.

Films that can evoke insights

Some films are not necessarily psychedelic, but they do touch upon themes that often emerge during a psychedelic experience.

These are, for example, films about connection, identity, and purpose in life.

Well-known examples are:

1. Soul

2. Coco

3. Ratatouille

4. Inside Out

5. Elemental

6. Big Hero 6

Animated films often prove surprisingly suitable for these types of themes, because they can visualize complex ideas in an accessible way.

Also classic films such as Fantasia, Fantasia 2000 and Yellow Submarine are often mentioned because of their creative and musical structure.

Movie tripping: watching movies on a low dose of psychedelics

Some people enjoy watching movies during a mild psychedelic experience. This usually involves a low dosage, with an emphasis on visual experience and music.

Films suitable for this often have:

1. strong visuals

2. colorful animation

3. good music

4. a positive atmosphere

Popular examples are:

1. Avatar

2. Avatar: The Way of Water

3. Doctor Strange

4. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

5. Guardians of the Galaxy

6. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

7. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Animated films are also often mentioned:

1. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (one of the best!)

2. Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse

3. Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse

4. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

5. Kung Fu Panda

Pixar films that are often mentioned

Pixar films appear remarkably often in recommendations for psychedelic film experiences. They combine strong emotions with colorful animation and philosophical themes.

Frequently mentioned Pixar films are:

1. Toy Story

2. Toy Story 2

3. Toy Story 3

4. Toy Story 4

5. Finding Nemo

6. Finding Dory

7. Monsters Inc.

8. Monsters University

9. Cars

10. Cars 2

11. Cars 3

12. WALL-E

13. Up

14. Luca

15. Turning Red

16. The Incredibles

17. The Incredibles 2

Fantasy and visual films

Films with fantasy worlds and strong visual effects are also often mentioned.

Examples are:

1. Alice in Wonderland

2. Alice Through the Looking Glass

3. Pirates of the Caribbean

4. Ready Player One

5. Free Guy

6. Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

7. The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Films that might be too intense during a trip

Not every film is suitable for a psychedelic experience. Some films can be too dark or intense.

Examples are:

1. Mandy

2. Annihilation

3. Natural Born Killers

4. The Lighthouse

5. Midsummer

6. Beau Is Afraid

7. The Northman

These kinds of films are better watched when you are sober.

Classic and nostalgic films

Older films are also often mentioned because of their imaginative style.

Examples are:

1. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

2. Who Framed Roger Rabbit

3. Beetlejuice

4. Gremlins 2

5. Small Soldiers

Series that are often recommended

In addition to films, several series are also mentioned:

1. The Midnight Gospel

2. Loki

3. Moon Knight

4. Love, Death + Robots

These series often feature surreal visuals and philosophical themes.

Finally

Films and documentaries can play a valuable role in how people approach psychedelic experiences.

They can help with:

1. understanding psychedelic therapy

2. preparing for a session

3. exploring philosophical ideas

4. deepening a mild psychedelic experience

Ultimately, it is not about which film you watch, but about what the film evokes in you.

Sometimes a single image, idea, or story can be enough to open a new perspective during a psychedelic experience.

Overview of all 109 films and documentaries by category

The table below contains all the films and documentaries we have collected from Tripforum discussions and previous recommendations.