The Best Documentaries to Watch on Psychedelics

Ranker Film
Updated April 18, 2023 402 votes 210 voters 20.4K views
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Vote up the best documentaries to watch on psychedelics.

If you're craving a long, epic trip without leaving your couch, then you're probably wondering what to watch on psychedelics. Whether you're on LSD, mushrooms, or any other psychotropic drugs, there are plenty of weird and wonderful documentaries to enhance the experience. Read the list below to find some great documentaries to watch on psychedelics. 

Here, you'll find a list of awesome, mind-bending docs. From documentaries that uncover hidden worlds to films on bizarre experiences, these documentaries to watch on psychedelics will ensure you don't waste your trip. These documentaries are the stuff mind-expansion is made of and will take you on just the sort of spiritual journeys you may currently find yourself craving. 

Be sure to vote for your favorites so you can help point other couch seekers around the world towards the best documentaries to watch on mushrooms, acid, or other psychedelics! And feel free to add anything you think is missing. 

Ranked by
  • I Am
    1

    I Am

    Film
    92 votes
    • Released: 2011
    • Directed by: Tom Shadyac
    I Am is a 2010 documentary film directed by Tom Shadyac. "A true Hollywood insider with films like Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Liar, Liar, and Bruce Almighty (among others) on his directorial resume, Tom Shadyac found his life profoundly altered after a bicycle accident left him with post-concussion syndrome. A little understood malady, PCS frequently leads to long bouts of depression. It was no different with Shadyac, who found himself withdrawing from his glitzy life and questioning the meaning of his material success. The documentary I Am is the result of Shadyac’s re-shuffling of priorities. It is a fascinating, funny and deeply felt spiritual journey examining alternative ways of life that are at once grounded in the Utopian anti-materialist ideas of the 1960s and bolstered by the growing gray area where science and spirituality intersect. Controversial, maybe, but consistently interesting and with its heart in the right place, I Am is sure to generate a lot of post-screening discussion. And, short of changing the world for the better (which Shadyac is definitely trying to do), what more can one ask of a documentary?" Quoting the synopsis from the 2011 Palm Springs International Film Festival site.
  • Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey
    2

    Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey

    TV Program
    22 votes
    • Actors: Neil deGrasse Tyson, Carl Sagan, Stoney Emshwiller
    • Premiered: March 9, 2014
    • Released: 2014
    • Directed by: Neil deGrasse Tyson
    Exploring the universe through stories of humankind's quest for knowledge.
  • The Sunshine Makers
    3

    The Sunshine Makers

    Film (2015)
    16 votes
    • Released: 2015
    • Directed by: Cosmo Feilding-Mellen
    In the 1960s, underground chemists Nicholas Sand and Tim Scully manufacture a massive amount of LSD while staying one step ahead of the law.
  • Planet Earth
    4

    Planet Earth

    TV Program
    25 votes
    • Actors: David Attenborough, Sigourney Weaver, Thomas Anguti Johnston
    • Premiered: March 5, 2006
    • Released: 2006
    • Directed by: Alastair Fothergill
    Venturing into the breathtaking realm of nature, the award-winning series Planet Earth takes viewers on an awe-inspiring journey through the planet's most diverse landscapes and habitats. Narrated by the esteemed Sir David Attenborough, this groundbreaking documentary series unearths the beauty and wonder of Earth's vast ecosystems. Each episode, meticulously crafted with stunning visuals and engaging storytelling, highlights the intricate relationships between species and their environments. Garnering numerous accolades, including four Primetime Emmy Awards, Planet Earth remains a testament to the power of television in fostering a deeper appreciation for our planet's natural wonders.
  • DMT: The Spirit Molecule
    5

    DMT: The Spirit Molecule

    Film
    15 votes
    • Released: 2010
    • Directed by: Mitch Schultz
    DMT: The Spirit Molecule is a 2010 American documentary film directed by Mitch Schultz.
  • Marwencol
    6

    Marwencol

    Film
    13 votes
    • Released: 2010
    • Directed by: Jeff Malmberg
    "Marwencol is a fantasy world created by Mark Hogancamp. This website is dedicated to capturing the beauty of Mark's secret world. After being beaten into a brain-damaging coma by five men outside a bar, Mark built a 1/6th scale World War II-era town in his backyard. Mark populated the town he dubbed "Marwencol" with dolls representing his friends and family and created life-like photographs detailing the town's many relationships and dramas. Playing in the town and photographing the action helped Mark to recover his hand-eye coordination and deal with the psychic wounds from the attack. Through his homemade therapy, Mark was able to begin the long journey back into the "real world", both physically and emotionally - something he continues to struggle with today." Quoting the description from the Marwencol Official Site.