Cheech Marin, 78, and Tommy Chong, 86, are back—not in a puff of smoke, but in full cinematic glory with Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie, a documentary that’s anything but traditional. Blending animation, archival footage, and their signature off-the-wall comedy, the film traces the five-decade friendship of one of comedy’s most iconic duos. That quite literally changed the game.
Generations of families have watched their films, with eager parents excited to show their children. With an unlikely duo like a Mexican-American and a half-Chinese Canadian coming together, they were a voice for those who have experienced hate because of what they looked like and questioned society with humor and rebellion.
Through their stoner antics and sharp satire, Cheech & Chong challenged stereotypes, spotlighted cultural absurdities, and gave underrepresented communities a place to laugh, relate, and feel seen. They weren't always understood, with journalists questioning their intelligence and their message. But the duo knew their "dumb" jokes and had a lot of brains behind them.
This new film, now in theaters, dives into moments of absurdity, with touching moments reflecting on both the highs and lows of their journeys together. They had to overcome challenges like creative differences, jealousy, and bad contracts that led to them making pennies compared to what their films were grossing.
HOLA! had the opportunity to play a fun game with the comedic geniuses, and it's clear their chemistry is still intact. During the game, we asked when they were most proud of each other. “I was most proud of him when he became a US citizen,” Cheech said. “And I was most proud of you when you did Born in East L.A.,” Chong replied. "He set me free," Chong added.
Born in East L.A. was Marin's first solo project, with him serving as writer, director, and star. Released in 1987, the film was loosely based on a parody song he recorded with Cheech & Chong, but Chong declined to play a small part in the film, quipping in the documentary that Man didn't do extra work.
It marked a departure from the duo's usual format, showcasing Marín's ability to blend humor with social commentary about immigration, identity, and cultural misunderstandings. The movie became a cult classic and helped establish him as a filmmaker in his own right. To this day, Marin has over 174 credits as an actor, 19 as a writer, 5 as a producer, and 4 as a director.
The documentary doesn't just relive their greatest hits—it revisits the very roots of their wild journey, starting with a serendipitous meeting at a Vancouver strip club. From that first spark, they blazed a trail through sold-out tours, platinum albums, and box-office hits like Up in Smoke (1978) and Still Smokin (1983), which they both had different opinions about which was the most fun to make. “You always remember your first,” Marin said. “No matter what it was.”
Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie isn’t just a nostalgic trip—it’s a love letter to rebellion, redemption, people of color, and the wild ride of two guys who changed comedy forever.