🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Tommy Chong
- Genre: Comedy, Crime
- Release year: 1981
- Runtime (length): 1h 28min
- IMDb rating: 6.1/10 (8.3K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 38%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Two dudes sell weed ice cream, get rich, lose it, then become strippers, proving that even in the 80s, the gig economy was a harsh mistress.
🍿 Nice Dreams: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Ice Cream Dreams
Cheech and Chong operate an ice cream truck, ‘Happy Herb’s Nice Dreams Ice Cream,’ that’s actually a front for selling marijuana-infused ice cream. Their business thrives, and they quickly amass a fortune, dreaming of a lavish retirement. However, they unwittingly sell their special ice cream to undercover cops, setting the stage for a series of comedic mishaps.

Lizard Squad
Sgt. Stedenko, reprising his role from ‘Up in Smoke,’ leads the police investigation. After analyzing the marijuana, the cops discover a bizarre side effect: it turns people into lizards! Stedenko sends two incompetent officers to apprehend Cheech and Chong, while he himself succumbs to the allure of the experimental weed.

Misadventures and Madness
Cheech and Chong’s journey takes them to a Chinese restaurant, where they encounter Cheech’s old flame, Donna, and the eccentric Howie Hamburger Dude (played by Pee-wee Herman). A series of chaotic events leads Cheech to a precarious situation on a hotel balcony and ultimately lands them in a mental institution.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Cheech (Cheech Marin): One half of the stoner duo, Cheech is always looking for the next scheme, often with disastrous but hilarious consequences.
- Chong (Tommy Chong): The other half of the duo, Chong is a carefree and often confused stoner who enables Cheech’s antics.
- Sgt. Stedenko (Stacy Keach): The determined but ultimately incompetent police sergeant tries to bust Cheech and Chong, but often succumbs to the allure of marijuana.
- Howie Hamburger Dude (Paul Reubens): A crazed mental patient and coke fiend who is briefly entrusted with Cheech and Chong’s fortune.
- Donna (Benita Barrie): Cheech’s former high-school flame who is still desired.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Cheech: “Hey man, I’m sorry, but you know, my low-rider is kinda important to me.” – Cheech expresses his priorities, highlighting his attachment to his car, a common theme in their movies.
- Chong: “No thanks, man, I’m driving.” – Said ironically while clearly intoxicated, showcasing Chong’s carefree attitude towards driving under the influence.
- Sgt. Stedanko: “The only way to catch a doper is for you yourself to become a smoker.” – Sgt. Stedanko rationalizes his own drug use, a humorous commentary on law enforcement tactics.
- Cheech: “How would you like a taste of my ice cream?” – Suggests their ‘special’ ice cream, innuendo and a key part of their business strategy.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $4000000
- Domestic Gross: $33,982,504
- Worldwide Gross: $37,000,000
💥 Nice Dreams Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I first saw this movie way back when, and it blew my mind! The ice cream truck, the insane asylum, the lizard cop – it was all so random and hilarious. I remember laughing so hard when Cheech got stuck on the elevator. It’s not high art, but it’s pure, unadulterated stoner comedy that still makes me chuckle today. Definitely a must-watch if you’re looking to switch off your brain and have a good time. It is awesome seeing Pee-wee Herman in this movie, that part always cracks me up.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Cheech and Chong’s earlier work”
- “Viewers who enjoy stoner comedies”
- “Those interested in 1980s counter-culture humor”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Drug use”
- “Suggestive sexual content”
- “Crude humor”
- “Mature themes”
Professional Reviews
- Rolling Stone: “Nice Dreams hits the familiar Cheech & Chong beats, delivering a series of hilarious, albeit loosely connected, sketches. The cameos alone, from Pee-wee Herman to Timothy Leary, make it a worthwhile watch for fans of counter-culture comedy.
- Variety: “While Nice Dreams lacks the narrative drive of Up In Smoke, it still offers plenty of laughs, fueled by the duo’s signature brand of stoner humor. Stacy Keach’s return as Sgt. Stedanko adds a welcome dose of familiarity to the proceedings.
- The New York Times: “Nice Dreams is a mixed bag, relying heavily on improvisation and slapstick. While some scenes land with comedic brilliance, others feel disjointed and underdeveloped, making for an uneven viewing experience.
Audience Reactions
Pee-wee Herman’s cameo is unforgettable.: Many viewers found the cameos and supporting characters added to the movie’s comedic appeal.
The absurd situations kept me laughing from start to finish.: Viewers appreciated the movie’s wacky and unpredictable humor.
Overall Consensus: Nice Dreams is a cult classic that delivers a dose of stoner humor, but its unevenness may not appeal to all viewers.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film was shot with a very loose script, relying heavily on improvisation. Tommy Chong estimated they used more raw film than anyone else in the business, believing comedy is the art of the unexpected.”
- “Paul Reubens, known for his character Pee-wee Herman, makes a memorable appearance as Howie Hamburger Dude, a mental patient. This was before his Pee-wee Herman fame, adding to the film’s quirky charm.”
- “The film features a cameo by Timothy Leary, a well-known advocate for psychedelic drugs, who plays a doctor in the mental institution scene, adding to the film’s counter-culture appeal.”
🖥️ How to Watch Nice Dreams?
Currently, ‘Nice Dreams’ is available for purchase or rental on various digital platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check these services for current availability and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Nice Dreams, you might like these similar films:
- Up in Smoke (1978): The original Cheech & Chong movie, establishing their stoner comedy style and characters.
- Cheech and Chong’s Next Movie (1980): Another Cheech & Chong adventure, continuing their comedic exploits and stoner lifestyle.
- Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004): A modern stoner comedy with a similar road trip structure and focus on drug-induced humor.
- Dazed and Confused (1993): Captures the spirit of 70s counter-culture and laid-back, drug-influenced teen life.
- Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998): Features drug use and outlandish scenarios, appealing to those who enjoy psychedelic humor.
🛒 Nice Dreams Related Products
- Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie [Blu-ray]: Watch other Cheech and Chong movies to continue the stoner adventure
- Cheech & Chong Collectible Figures: Display Cheech and Chong’s characters on your desk.
- Cheech & Chong Up In Smoke T-Shirt: Express your love for Cheech & Chong with this classic movie t-shirt, a fun and casual piece of memorabilia.
- That Smell: A Memoir by Cheech Marin: Get the stories behind the humor from Cheech himself, detailing his journey and experiences.
🎧 Soundtrack
Nice Dreams features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘Nice Dreams’ follows Cheech and Chong as they sell marijuana-infused ice cream, evade the police, and encounter a series of bizarre characters and situations. It’s a stoner comedy filled with absurd humor and unexpected twists.
The movie features cameos from several recognizable faces, including Paul Reubens (Pee-wee Herman) as Howie Hamburger Dude and Timothy Leary as a doctor in the mental institution.
The ending is a darkly humorous commentary on the fleeting nature of wealth and the unexpected turns life can take. Despite their initial success, Cheech and Chong end up in a completely different and ironic situation, highlighting the absurdity of their pursuit of ‘nice dreams.’
🔥 Bonus Content
cheech & chong (nice dreams) – my balls itch
Okay, hear me out: This scene is so ridiculous, but it’s pure Cheech & Chong gold. You have to see it to believe it, and I guarantee you’ll be laughing!
Cheech & Chong Nice Dreams-Nose Candy
This scene is absolutely bonkers. It showcases Cheech & Chong’s brand of chaotic humor perfectly. If you need a laugh, check this out!
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