Nice Dreams

Nice Dreams

Year: 1981

Runtime: 88 min

Language: English

ComedyCrime

A celebrated former Olympic figure skater attempts a comeback by coaching a gifted young athlete struggling with personal challenges. Their training is complicated by resurfaced secrets that jeopardize their partnership and force them to confront past mistakes, leading to a journey of deception and ultimately, redemption.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Nice Dreams yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Nice Dreams (1981)

Trace every key event in Nice Dreams (1981) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Flourishing Business

Cheech and Chong's ice cream business, Happy Herb's Nice Dreams, begins to thrive, allowing them to enjoy newfound financial freedom. Their lively operations cleverly utilize high-quality marijuana from their friend Weird Jimmy's secret stash.

Seaside dwelling
2

Dreams of Paradise

The duo fantasizes about a lavish lifestyle, imagining themselves as 'Sun Kings in Paradise.' They dream of beautiful surroundings, exotic getaways, and endless leisure, strumming their guitars under the sun's warm embrace.

3

Law Enforcement Pursuit

As their idyllic lifestyle unfolds, Cheech and Chong find themselves pursued by law enforcement. Sgt. Stedanko, a seasoned officer who shares an unusual affection for cannabis, undergoes a bizarre transformation after sampling their 'ice cream.'

4

Weird Jimmy's Confrontation

In the midst of the encroaching authorities, Cheech and Chong make a hasty exit from their seaside hideout. They leave Weird Jimmy behind to face the impending chaos, thrusting him into a challenging situation with the law.

Seaside hideout
5

Night Out Chaos

Cheech and Chong celebrate their fortune with a night at a local Chinese restaurant. Their evening quickly degenerates into pandemonium, involving an overzealous record agent and a bizarre character known as Howie 'Hamburger Dude.'

Chinese restaurant
6

Wrongful Signing

Chong mistakenly signs away their life savings to Howie for a worthless check during their chaotic night out. This blunder becomes more pronounced as they realize they cannot cash the check due to their lack of identification.

Chinese restaurant
7

Fleeing the Patrol

As they seek to recover their finances, Cheech takes Donna out for a nightcap. The situation spirals further when a couple of California highway patrolmen arrive, forcing Cheech and Chong to escape yet again.

Parking lot
8

Chaos at Donna's Apartment

Cheech and Chong stumble into Donna's apartment where their plans quickly derailed. Amidst the chaos, Animal, Donna's deranged biker husband, arrives, prompting a frantic and chaotic scene between all involved.

Donna's apartment
9

Mistaken for Patients

After a wild series of misadventures, Cheech and Chong unintentionally end up at a mental institution. Cheech is mistaken for a patient and confined to a padded room, while Chong becomes unwittingly involved in medication distribution.

Mental institution
10

Chong's New Friend

During their stay at the institution, Chong becomes friends with a kind-hearted doctor who introduces him to LSD, which leads him on a sensory rollercoaster. Meanwhile, Cheech's hallucinations intertwine with their chaotic reality.

Mental institution
11

Return to Reality

After a night filled with surreal experiences, Cheech and Chong wake up to a shocking reality. The head nurse, now aware of their true identities, apologizes and returns their stolen funds, granting them freedom.

Mental institution
12

Law Enforcement Strikes Again

Just as Cheech and Chong rejoice in their newfound fortune, law enforcement arrives to arrest the head nurse and Howie. In a surprising twist, Sgt. Stedanko appears, revealing his grotesque reptilian form.

Mental institution
13

Confronting Financial Woes

In the aftermath of the bizarre events, Cheech and Chong must face the harsh reality of their dwindling finances. With Weird Jimmy's marijuana ranch in chaos, they are compelled to explore new avenues to regain stability.

14

Performing as 'The Sun Kings'

Determined to regain their footing, Cheech and Chong begin performing as 'The Sun Kings' at Club Paradise. In hilarious new roles as male strippers, they prepare for their upcoming debut, embodying their newfound mantra.

Club Paradise
15

New Chapter Ahead

Excitement builds as Cheech and Chong get ready for their stage debut. Despite the winding path that led them here, they repeat their mantra of 'Sun Kings,' hopeful for the next chapter in their bizarre yet adventurous lives.

Last Updated: November 17, 2024 at 20:33

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Psychedelic Slapstick Movies like Nice Dreams

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These films are grouped together by their commitment to absurdist, low-stakes humor, a fast pace that leaves no room for seriousness, and a whimsical tone that embraces the surreal and the ridiculous. They share a light emotional weight and a focus on laugh-out-loud moments over narrative depth.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a pair of characters as they embark on a precarious venture, such as a business or a scam. Their lack of foresight and skill leads to a domino effect of comedic failures, forcing them to rely on their wits (or lack thereof) and their increasingly strained partnership to see things through.

Why These Movies?

These movies are connected by their focus on the dynamics of a comedic partnership, the structure of a caper or scheme gone wrong, and the lighthearted, episodic feel of the resulting chaos. The chemistry between the leads and the predictability of their failures create a comforting, humorous pattern.

Unlock the Full Story of Nice Dreams

Don't stop at just watching — explore Nice Dreams in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Nice Dreams is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Nice Dreams Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Nice Dreams, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Nice Dreams Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Nice Dreams

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Nice Dreams. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Nice Dreams

Nice Dreams Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Nice Dreams that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Nice Dreams Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Nice Dreams

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Nice Dreams: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Nice Dreams

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