MOVIEmeter
Top 5000
Down 178 this week

Dazed and Confused (1993)

 -  Comedy | Drama  -  24 September 1993 (USA)
7.6
Your rating:
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 -/10 X  
Ratings: 7.6/10 from 73,900 users   Metascore: 78/100
Reviews: 363 user | 120 critic | 18 from Metacritic.com

The adventures of incoming high school and junior high students on the last day of school, in May of 1976.

Director:

Watch Trailer
0Check in
0Share...

User Lists

Related lists from IMDb users

a list of 2364 titles created 4 months ago
 
a list of 10000 titles created 2 months ago
 
a list of 1269 titles created 6 months ago
 
a list of 580 titles created 16 Jul 2011
 
a list of 480 titles created 02 May 2012
 

Connect with IMDb


Share this Rating

Title: Dazed and Confused (1993)

Dazed and Confused (1993) on IMDb 7.6/10

Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.

Take The Quiz!

Test your knowledge of Dazed and Confused.
2 nominations. See more awards »

Videos

Photos

Learn more

People who liked this also liked... 

Comedy | Drama
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.9/10 X  

Five high school students, all different stereotypes, meet in detention, where they pour their hearts out to each other, and discover how they have a lot more in common than they thought.

Director: John Hughes
Stars: Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald
50/50 (2011)
Comedy | Drama
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.8/10 X  

Inspired by a true story, a comedy centered on a 27-year-old guy who learns of his cancer diagnosis, and his subsequent struggle to beat the disease.

Director: Jonathan Levine
Stars: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick
Friday (1995)
Comedy | Drama
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.1/10 X  

Craig and Smokey are two guys in Los Angeles hanging out on their porch on a Friday afternoon, smoking and drinking, looking for something to do. Encounters with neighbors and other friends... See full summary »

Director: F. Gary Gray
Stars: Ice Cube, Chris Tucker, Nia Long
Rushmore (1998)
Comedy | Drama
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.7/10 X  

The king of Rushmore prep school is put on academic probation.

Director: Wes Anderson
Stars: Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Olivia Williams
Comedy | Drama
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.5/10 X  

An estranged family of former child prodigies reunites when one of their member announces he has a terminal illness.

Director: Wes Anderson
Stars: Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller
Drama
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.6/10 X  

In Mexico, two teenage boys and an attractive older woman embark on a road trip and learn a thing or two about life, friendship, sex, and each other.

Director: Alfonso Cuarón
Stars: Maribel Verdú, Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna
Comedy | Drama
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.9/10 X  

A high school wise guy is determined to have a day off from school, despite of what the principal thinks of that.

Director: John Hughes
Stars: Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara
Comedy | Drama
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.7/10 X  

Satirical comedy follows the machinations of Big Tobacco's chief spokesman, Nick Naylor, who spins on behalf of cigarettes while trying to remain a role model for his twelve-year-old son.

Director: Jason Reitman
Stars: Joan Lunden, Aaron Eckhart, Cameron Bright
Uncle Buck (1989)
Comedy | Drama | Family
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.8/10 X  

Bachelor and all round slob, Buck, babysits his brother's rebellious teenage daughter and her cute younger brother and sister.

Director: John Hughes
Stars: John Candy, Jean Louisa Kelly, Gaby Hoffmann
Swingers (1996)
Comedy | Drama
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.4/10 X  

Wannabe actors become regulars in the stylish neo-lounge scene; Trent teaches his friend Mike the unwritten rules of the scene.

Director: Doug Liman
Stars: Jon Favreau, Vince Vaughn, Ron Livingston
Ghost World (2001)
Comedy | Drama
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.5/10 X  

Enid and Rebecca are social outsiders who, after graduating from high school, play a mean prank on a middle-aged geek.

Director: Terry Zwigoff
Stars: Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Buscemi
Comedy | Drama
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.1/10 X  

Two children conceived by artificial insemination bring their father into their family life.

Director: Lisa Cholodenko
Stars: Julianne Moore, Annette Bening, Mark Ruffalo
Edit

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Sasha Jenson ...
...
Deena Martin ...
...
...
...
Kaye Faulkner
...
Mark Vandermeulen ...
Tommy Houston
Edit

Storyline

It's the last day of school at a high school in a small town in Texas in 1976. The upperclassmen are hazing the incoming freshmen, and everyone is trying to get stoned, drunk, or laid, even the football players that signed a pledge not to. Written by Jon Reeves <jreeves@imdb.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

It was the last day of school in 1976, a time they'd never forget... if only they could remember. See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive, continuous teen drug and alcohol use and very strong language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
Edit

Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

24 September 1993 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Confusion - Sommer der Ausgeflippten  »

Box Office

Gross:

$7,993,039 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

Wooderson's car is a 1970 Chevy Chevelle Super Sport See more »

Goofs

In the "business" scene in Pickford's room, Pickford sprays the air freshener and then sets it (and the glass bowl) down on the record cabinet before letting his dad in. When Pickford crosses the room to look out the window at the beer truck the jar and spray can have moved to the floor, but when he walks back to his dad both items are back on the cabinet. See more »

Quotes

Dawson: You know that Julie chick? Loves you. You want her? Gotta play it cool, you know. You can't let her know how much you like ?cause if she knows, she'll dump you like that. Believe me. Like, if she asks you if you want a ride, you say, "No, I've got my own ride, but maybe I'll see you later." Sounds stupid, doesn't it? It works.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Homestarrunner.com: Everything Else, Volume 2 (2006) See more »

Soundtracks

"Livin' In The USA"
Written and Performed by Steve Miller
Courtesy of Capitol Records
By Arrangement with CEMA Special Markets
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

The last day of school in 1976
24 July 2011 | by (Ohio/PA border) – See all my reviews

"Dazed and Confused" details the last day of high school for the typical youths of America in 1976. Shot in and around Austin, Texas, the film failed at the box office in 1993-94, but has gone on to achieve a well-deserved cult status. I never even heard of the film until this year when I saw most of it on TV and promptly decided to pick it up the DVD when I got the chance.

To my mind, "Dazed and Confused" is one of the best high school comedy-dramas, along with 1982's "Fast Times at Ridgemont High." The difference between these two films is that "Fast Times" contains more goofy antics whereas "Dazed" is more of a docudrama with amusing flashes. In other words, although "Fast Times is generally realistic, excepting the over-the-top parts with Spicoli, "Dazed and Confused" is more like a slice from real life.

What makes "Dazed" work so well is that it gets the LOOK of the mid-to-late 70s just right, particularly the hair & clothing styles. Secondly, the actors pull off the material expertly. In fact, a large part of the film's success is the excellent casting choices. Both are no easy feat. Speaking of the actors, you get a few up-and-comers here: Matthew McConaughey, Milla Jovovich, Ben Affleck and one or two of lesser note (as far as future popularity goes).

All the standard school archetypes are here: the jock who parties on the side, the bullies, the hot sister and her little long-haired brother, the black dude, the hot (feminist) teacher, the streetfighter, the cool guys, the geekier crowd, the babes, the guy who graduated years ago but still hangs around, the mentors & mentees, etc.

And then you have the standard school experiences like parties at friend's houses, keg parties, fleeing bullies, dealing with coaches & teachers, flirting, the possibility of sex, hanging out, meaningless conversations, fights, smoking pot at school or in your friend's bedroom, etc.

Like "Fast Times," "Dazed and Confused" is a joy to watch -- whatever your age -- because it successfully takes you back to the high school years with all its joys & agonies.

Some don't like it because it's more of a slice-of-life film than a plot-driven, contrived story. The plot here is simple: It's the last day of school and the youths want to celebrate. If they can't party at their friend's house (because the dad catches wind of their plans) they'll have a party at the park or wherever, but they WILL party. The rest of the film involves their interactions within this context.

I've heard some complain that the film conveys a terrible message. What message? There is no message. The message is that school's out and it's time to celebrate! Besides, there are a few positive points that can be mined from the proceedings: the arrogant bully gets what's coming, make a stand and fight when you have to (even if you get beat up), ultra-tight pants must be put on with pliers & the help of a friend, be true to yourself, etc. But -- really -- this isn't a movie to look for deep messages, its simple purpose is to take you back to the school years -- in this case, 1976 -- and all the fun & painful experiences thereof.

No review of "Dazed and Confused" would be complete without noting the excellent soundtrack. You get some great rock/metal of the 70s like "Sweet Emotion," "School's Out," "Stranglehold," "Do You Feel Like We Do," "Love Hurts," "Paranoid," "Rock & Roll Hootchie Coo," "Rock & Roll All Nite," "Slow Ride," "Cherry Bomb," "Tuesday's Gone" and many more.

GRADE: A


12 of 13 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

Message Boards

Recent Posts
The glass bowl... Crow-eater1121
Carl Burnett acid_mojojojo
Favorite scene or quote from this movie? yankees611
I thought this movie was pretty freakin' horrible. MirshGoddess
Is it supposed to be set in Austin? westal_sage
Were you a stoner in high school? midnight-drive
Discuss Dazed and Confused (1993) on the IMDb message boards »

Contribute to This Page

Create a character page for:
?