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Smoke poster

Movies that feel likeSmoke (1995)

Writer Paul Benjamin is nearly hit by a bus when he leaves Auggie Wren's smoke shop. Stranger Rashid Cole saves his life, and soon middle-aged Paul tells homeless Rashid that he wouldn't mind a short-term housemate. Still grieving over his wife's murder, Paul is moved by both Rashid's quest to reconnect with his father and Auggie's discovery that a woman who might be his daughter is about to give birth.

If you loved Smoke, the closest films we have are Pieces of April (2003), Whisky (2004) and The Idiots (1998). All three share Smoke's witty and playful feel, which is what we rank on before quality.

Seen the big three already? The under-the-radar pick below is Adrift in Tokyo (2007).

🍅 89% Rotten Tomatoes★ 7.4 IMDb ↗TMDB ↗dir. Wayne Wangwittyplayfulcontemplative
6 of 12 streaming nowParamount Plus Premium · MUBI · MGM Plus

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See it on the Mood Map

If Smoke hit the spot, these will too

Pieces of April poster
Pieces of April
2003 · dir. Peter Hedges
🍅 83%★ 7comedy · drama

The same mix in both: wit, then play

Quirky and rebellious April Burns lives with her boyfriend in a low-rent New York City apartment miles away from her emotionally distant family. But when she discovers that her mother has a fatal form of breast cancer, she invites the clan to her place for Thanksgiving. While her father struggles to drive her family into the city, April -- an inexperienced cook -- runs into kitchen trouble and must ask a neighbor for help.

Whisky poster
Whisky
2004 · dir. Juan Pablo Rebella
🍅 100%★ 7.1comedy · drama

Both lean on stillness more than on comedy

When his long-lost brother resurfaces, Jacobo, desperate to prove his life has added up to something, looks to scrounge up a wife. He turns to Marta, an employee at his sock factory, with whom he has a prickly relationship.

The Idiots poster
The Idiots
1998 · dir. Lars von Trier
🍅 73%★ 6.7comedy · dramaRent or buy

Witty drama in both cases

A group of perfectly intelligent young people decide to react to society's cult of aimless, non-creative and non-responsible form intellect by living together in a community of 'idiots'. Their primary activity becomes going out into the world of 'normal' people and pretending to be mentally incompetent. They take advantage of this situation to create anarchy, and, by every possible means, to make those around them miserable.

Day of the Wacko poster
Day of the Wacko
2002 · dir. Marek Koterski
★ 8.1comedy · drama

Comedy built on play, twice over

It is a bitter story about a middle-aged man, who hates his life and other people, including himself. Adam Miauczynski, the character known from director Marek Koterski's previous films, is a 49 year-old teacher, who reads poetry during school lessons and later goes home swearing and calling his neighbours' names. The worst pain for him is the next 5 minutes of living. He doesn't accept himself and even everyday contacts with others cause his aggression. Though constantly dreaming of a romantic love, he is not bold enough to make his dreams come true. The desperate Miauczynski personalizes our own fears and obsessions, which have become so visible recently.

Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. poster
Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.
2003 · dir. Rajkumar Hirani
★ 8.2comedy · drama

Contemplative drama, and it commits to that

A gangster sets out to fulfill his father's dream of becoming a doctor.

Thank You for Smoking poster
Thank You for Smoking
2005 · dir. Jason Reitman
🍅 86%★ 7.5comedy · drama

Two things both keep coming back to: smoking and cigarette

Nick Naylor is a charismatic spin-doctor for Big Tobacco who'll fight to protect America's right to smoke -- even if it kills him -- while still remaining a role model for his 12-year old son. When he incurs the wrath of a senator bent on snuffing out cigarettes, Nick's powers of "filtering the truth" will be put to the test.

My Favorite Year poster
My Favorite Year
1982 · dir. Richard Benjamin
🍅 97%★ 7.3comedy · drama

Comedy with a pulse of wit, in both cases

Fledgling comic Benjy Stone can't believe his luck when his childhood hero, the swashbuckling matinee idol Alan Swann, gets booked to appear on the variety show he writes for. But when Swann arrives, he fails to live up to his silver screen image. Instead, he's a drunken womanizer who suffers from stage fright. Benjy is assigned to look after him before the show, and it's all he can do to keep his former idol from going completely off the rails.

The Green Butchers poster
The Green Butchers
2003 · dir. Anders Thomas Jensen
🍅 63%★ 7.2comedy

Drama with a pulse of play, in both cases

The difference: The critics' underdog of the pair

Svend and Bjarne work for a butcher in a small Danish town. Fed up with their boss' arrogance, they decide to start their own butcher shop. After dismal beginnings, an unfortunate accident happens which coincides with a large order of meat. One hasty decision leads to another and soon the business thrives. In the meantime, Bjarne has to deal with his twin brother who has been in coma for years following a gruesome car accident.

Best in Show poster
Best in Show
2000 · dir. Christopher Guest
🍅 93%★ 7.5comedyParamount+

The same comedy instincts

The difference: Trades the stillness of Smoke for an angle of its own

The tension is palpable, the excitement is mounting and the heady scent of competition is in the air as hundreds of eager contestants from across America prepare to take part in what is undoubtedly one of the greatest events of their lives -- the Mayflower Dog Show. The canine contestants and their owners are as wondrously diverse as the great country that has bred them.

Soul Kitchen poster
Soul Kitchen
2009 · dir. Fatih Akin
🍅 73%★ 7.2drama · comedy

Both run contemplative where it counts

In Hamburg, German-Greek chef Zinos unknowingly disturbs the peace in his locals-only restaurant by hiring a more talented chef.

The Trip poster
The Trip
2011 · dir. Michael Winterbottom
🍅 89%★ 7comedy · drama

Both play drama straight

When Steve Coogan is asked by The Observer to tour the country's finest restaurants, he envisions it as the perfect getaway with his beautiful girlfriend. But, when she backs out on him, he has no one to accompany him but his best friend and source of eternal aggravation, Rob Brydon.

Adrift in Tokyo poster
Adrift in Tokyo
2007 · dir. Satoshi Miki
★ 7.2comedy

Both are comedy through and through

A thug offers to pay a law student's gambling debt if the student will accompany him on a trip across Tokyo.

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The best-reviewed films that share Smoke’s defining feeling.