The Best Movies, Music & Shows That Don’t Glorify Drinking
Do you ever feel like alcohol is everywhere you turn? Movies, music, TV shows—even your social feed—it’s like booze has become the default backdrop to every plotline and punchline. Everything feels more alcohol-soaked than MTV Spring Break in the ’90s. If you’re trying to go alcohol-free, or already living that way, it’s not just annoying—it can be triggering. Or at the very least, wildly unrelatable.
Research backs this up:
- A study by Northwestern University found that 22.4% of Billboard Hot 100 songs reference alcohol.
- From 2009–2011, another study found that 23.2% of charting songs mentioned alcohol, especially in rap, country, and pop genres.
- In film, alcohol appears in 87% of movies, and shockingly, 85% of G- and PG-rated films show characters drinking.
- Popular “family-friendly” shows average more than 2 alcohol brand placements per episode.
But what if your entertainment choices supported your alcohol-free lifestyle instead of undermining it?
Here’s a highly researched and hand-picked guide to alcohol-free entertainment options—movies, shows, songs, and creators that uplift and reflect who we are in this season of change.
Good Movies That Aren’t Boozy
Everything Must Go
Will Ferrell sheds his usual comedic persona for a deeply human portrayal of a man whose drinking has cost him his marriage, his job, and his home. With everything he owns now scattered across his front lawn, he hosts a days-long yard sale that becomes a symbolic purge of his past. There are no big speeches or dramatic transformations—just quiet, grounded moments that remind us healing doesn’t always look like a highlight reel.
Home Run
This under-the-radar gem follows a pro baseball player whose off-the-field issues land him in rehab—and reluctantly coaching a Little League team. What starts as a punishment becomes his path to recovery and reconnection. It’s a story of second chances, spiritual reawakening, and the powerful message that you can begin again, even after you’ve struck out more than once.
Sound of Metal
When a heavy metal drummer abruptly loses his hearing, his world spins out. As he grapples with identity loss and the temptation to fall back into addiction, he’s welcomed into a Deaf community that challenges everything he thought he knew about silence, stillness, and strength. Sound of Metal is a masterclass in how community doesn’t just support us—it transforms us. It beautifully mirrors what we have here at This Naked Mind: people showing up for each other, not trying to “fix” one another, but walking side-by-side toward healing.
Stranger Than Fiction
Will Ferrell again? He’s so versatile! In this movie, Ferrell plays an IRS auditor who suddenly hears a narrator describing his life as if it were a novel. This quirky and heartwarming movie is about self-discovery and appreciating the present moment, offering a rare storyline that doesn’t rely on alcohol-related plotlines or character development.
Tired of seeing alcohol everywhere and wondering if you’re the only one who wants out? You’re not—and you don’t have to figure it out alone. Join a free Masterclass with Annie Grace and discover a proven and science-backed way to fight the status quo and forge a new direction in your life. It’s packed with support, insight, and a powerful mindset shift. Click below and take the first step toward real freedom.
Documentaries That Challenge the Narrative
These alcohol-free entertainment options include powerful documentaries that offer a different perspective on drinking culture and recovery.
The Anonymous People
This eye-opening documentary pulls back the curtain on the stigma surrounding addiction and recovery. It introduces a growing movement of people who are choosing to live out loud on the flipside of their addiction. Their courage reminds us that sharing our stories doesn’t just break silence—it builds bridges.
Alcohol: The Magic Potion
Part science, part social commentary, this BBC documentary explores the ways alcohol is glorified in Western culture. It highlights how normalization of drinking masks its dangers. If you’ve ever wondered why it feels like alcohol is everywhere—this one gives you the context and tools to question it all.
A Tattoo on My Brain
Follow the emotional journey of a neurologist diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. This documentary is both heartbreaking and hopeful. While we don’t know what role alcohol played in his condition, it does offer a sobering look at the potential consequences of long-term alcohol use and the urgency of prevention, awareness, and compassion for ourselves and others.
TV Shows with Less Booze, More Brilliance
Finding quality alcohol-free entertainment options for television viewing can feel challenging, but these shows prove you don’t need drinking storylines for great content.
What We Do in the Shadows
This vampire mockumentary might sound like a strange pick for this list, but it’s surprisingly clean when it comes to booze references. It’s absurd, clever, and full of laugh-out-loud moments. Proof that you don’t need drunken antics for great comedy—just a centuries-old vampire roommate named Laszlo and a cursed energy vampire named Colin Robinson.
Psych
This light-hearted detective series is a throwback to smart, character-driven fun. With minimal alcohol references, it’s a safe and entertaining escape full of witty banter, heartfelt moments, and pineapple-themed Easter eggs. Perfect for binge-watching on a cozy night in—mocktail in hand.
The Good Place
What does it mean to become a better person? This show wrestles with that question in the most hilarious and philosophical way possible. Alcohol isn’t the focus—ethics, second chances, and equal parts laughs and “what am I even doing with my life?” are. Plus, Janet might be the best character to never actually exist.
TED Talks & YouTube Gems
Big Alcohol Wants Your Kids – This Naked Mind
This Naked Mind Coach Joanna uncovers how alcohol is marketed to teens and kids, using the same manipulative tactics once employed by Big Tobacco. If you’ve ever questioned whether “just one drink” messaging is harmless, this talk will change the way you see the industry forever.
How to Talk to the Worst Part of Yourself – Karen Faith
This thoughtful talk explores how to approach our inner critics with curiosity instead of judgment. It’s not about toxic positivity—it’s about making space for compassion, even when you’re at your lowest.
“No Wonder You Quit Boozing” – Comedy Central StandUp
A lineup of alcohol-free comedians dish out hilarious truths about quitting drinking. No preachiness—just punchlines that hit hard because they’re rooted in real life.
Wali Collins – When You Tell People You Don’t Like Drinking (DryBar Comedy)
This 5-minute set is a perfect reminder that the weirdest part of quitting alcohol is how other people react to it. It’s comedy that gets it—and gets you.
Songs That Hit Different When You’re Sober
Music is one of the most powerful alcohol-free entertainment options, especially when you find artists who speak to the sober experience.
“Orange Juice” – Noah Kahan
Kahan’s lyrics are raw and intimate, perfect for those quiet moments of reflection. “Orange Juice” is about trauma, healing, and choosing life even when it’s messy. Play this when you need to feel something real.
“Fine” – Kyle Hume
Sometimes you’re not falling apart, but you’re not thriving either. “Fine” captures the in-between space so many of us know too well—where just showing up is a victory.
“Anxiety” – JVKE
This song feels like someone reading your mind on a really hard day. It’s vulnerable, haunting, and somehow makes you feel seen when you didn’t even know you needed it.
Instagram Accounts That Inspire Sobriety & Self-Compassion
@live_elevated_ is one of those accounts that just makes you feel lighter when it pops up in your feed. It’s all about living with intention, thinking bigger, and staying grounded while you grow. If you’re into mindset shifts, gentle motivation, and next-level wellness vibes—this one’s a must-follow.
@mindfullyillustrated is the account you didn’t know you needed to follow. The illustrations are simple but so powerful—little reminders about self-love, healing, and mental health that just hit. It’s like having a really kind, honest friend in your feed.
@abi.feltham is the real deal. She talks openly about living alcohol-free, mental health, and navigating brain cancer—and somehow makes you feel a little less alone in your own struggles. Nothing is sugar-coated, but everything is shared with so much heart.
Pro Tip
Most of these titles are available through common streaming platforms (Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, YouTube). TED Talks are free and easy to watch on YouTube, and you can use this list as a go-to when you’re feeling overwhelmed or uninspired.
Ready for More Alcohol-Free Entertainment Options?
If you’re feeling inspired to learn more about yourself, your brain, and your relationship with alcohol, join our free 5-Day Control Alcohol Challenge! Thousands have experienced breakthroughs—and you can too.
We share new recommendations each month for books, podcasts, movies, music, and more – you can check them all out here!
Copyright © 2025 This Naked Mind. This material is original content and is protected by international copyright laws. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this content will be met with legal action.
