Movies like Smoke

Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia weaves together multiple interconnected stories, similar to the narrative style in Smoke. With a strong ensemble cast and themes relating to coincidence and serendipity, fans of character-driven stories will be engrossed.

Jim Jarmusch's Coffee and Cigarettes, an anthology film made up of short vignettes, similarly utilizes conversation and the act of smoking as a backdrop for character exploration. Fans of Smoke will appreciate its dry humor and the diverse ensemble cast.

In The Station Agent, an unlikely trio forms a friendship in a small, rural New Jersey town. Resonating with Smoke’s themes of solitude and companionship, and with a similarly intimate, character-driven plot, it stands as a strong recommendation for Smoke fans.

Robert Altman's Short Cuts is a mosaic of interrelated characters and storylines, reminiscent of the narrative approach in Smoke. It presents a tapestry of contemporary life in Los Angeles and should attract those who appreciate ensemble casts and intersecting stories.

Richard Linklater's Slacker is a film that captures the quirky spirit of an entire city through a series of loosely related vignettes. As with Smoke, this movie's focus on everyday conversations and a broad array of characters will surely appeal to the same audience.

Another anthology film by Jim Jarmusch, Night on Earth presents a series of taxi cab interactions that take place in multiple cities around the world during the same time period. The film's slice-of-life storytelling and nuanced performances echo the same sentiments found in Smoke.

A companion piece to Smoke, Blue in the Face was largely improvised and features many of the same characters from Smoke. Set again in Brooklyn, this film mixes documentary footage with a loose narrative structure, making it a must-watch for those who enjoyed the original's charm and wit.