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.

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.

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.

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.