Dazed and Confused is a 1993 American coming-of-age comedy film written and directed by Richard Linklater.2 The film follows a variety of teenagers on the last day of school in 1976 in an unnamed Texas town, capturing the chaos of hazing rituals, parties, and the transition into summer.2 It features an ensemble cast of actors who would later become stars, including Matthew McConaughey, Ben Affleck, Milla Jovovich, Parker Posey, Adam Goldberg, Rory Cochrane, and Anthony Rapp.2 The story centers on characters such as Randall "Pink" Floyd, a star quarterback refusing to sign a clean-living pledge, and Mitch Kramer, a bullied freshman seeking revenge.4

The film was shot in Austin, Texas, though it draws inspiration from Linklater’s own adolescence in East Texas.2 It was produced by Alphaville and Detour Filmproduction, with distribution by Gramercy Pictures.2 Released on September 24, 1993, the film had a budget of $6.9 million but grossed only $8.2 million at the box office, making it a commercial disappointment initially.2 However, it later gained a cult following through home video and is now regarded as a classic.2

Critics have praised the film for its authentic and humanistic portrayal of teenage life, with Roger Ebert calling it "art crossed with anthropology" and noting its unblinking attention to detail.6 It has been ranked third on Entertainment Weekly’s list of the 50 Best High School Movies and 10th on its "Funniest Movies of the Past 25 Years" list.2 The film’s soundtrack features a mix of 1970s rock songs, which contributed significantly to its budget.2 It is rated R for language, drug use, and sexual content.2

The film is available for streaming on platforms such as Netflix and Tubi.37 It runs for approximately 1 hour and 43 minutes.2