How to Watch Dazed and Confused Online

Richard Linklater's 1993 film, Dazed and Confused, is an unashamedly '70s idyll. It's a fun film that never forgets to show us that life can be hard sometimes, but it doesn't let these moments ruin the good times.

The film follows a group of Texas teenagers on their last day of high school. They're a mix of jocks, nerds, and stoners.

1. It's the Last Day of School

A sexy ensemble cast, a precise feel for the 1970s and a killer soundtrack helped this cult classic become one of the best films about high school ever made. Among its many accolades, the most notable was being the first film ever to be nominated for the Best Picture Oscar.

Director Richard Linklater helmed this fun and lighthearted comedy that features the requisite bells and whistles like bongs, bell-bottoms and mood rings in addition to the most expensive sex gimmick of all: an actual adolescent love affair. It's a sweetheart deal that is only topped by an unforgettable final act.

It is currently available for streaming on fuboTV, Showtime, Amazon Channel and Showtime Roku Premium. Alternatively, you can buy it as a download or rental on AMC on Demand, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Vudu, Microsoft Store or Redbox. You may also be able to find it on the small screen in your local library. Be sure to check your device's ad-blocking settings before you attempt to watch the flimsy old thing!

2. It's a Comedy

In the vein of Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Dazed and Confused is a movie for kids who are going through the rites and passages of adolescence. Unlike most high school movies that derive their humor from jokes, pratfalls and other cliched situations, Richard Linklater’s film is all about the characters.

The cast includes future superstars like Matthew McConaughey, Ben Affleck and Parker Posey. It’s a classic that has become a cult favorite.

Despite its age, it is one of the most authentic and eloquent depictions of youth I’ve ever seen. And while it does show some iffy and consequence-free behavior, the character’s actions are never shammed in a way that feels heavy or pointless.

It is a light-hearted, albeit complex dissection of the peer pressures and rebellious aimlessness of youth. On its sleeve, it’s swift and funny, filled with hi-jinks, the best of the period’s party rock music and lots of teens engaging in controlled substances and talking about sex -- but underneath that buoyant and light-hearted veneer, writer-director Richard Linklater subtly and meaningfully examines these cultural forces and how they affect his characters.

3. It's a Coming-of-Age Story

The first film from Richard Linklater, Dazed and Confused isn't your standard coming-of-age flick. Rather, it's an authentic slice of life that lays out key insights about teenagers on the verge of graduation.

The setting is 1976 Austin, Texas — the end of high school and the beginning of the adult world. It's a strange place, but it's also a great time to be a teenager.

Linklater based the movie on his own experiences growing up in the early '70s, and the resulting film is a slice of real teenage life that's surprisingly relatable. While there are plenty of snarky lines and cynical observations, the film also features some genuine laughs and heartwarming moments that help it stand out among its peers.

This is a movie that people will watch time and time again, even though it's a little bit dark and depressing at times. It's also a film that you can watch with your friends and get into the spirit of having a good time together.

4. It's a Love Story

One of the most influential cult classics of the 1990s, Richard Linklater's Dazed and Confused follows a group of high school students on their last day of the academic year. It's a slice-of-life film with an excellent ensemble cast and a precise feel for the 1970s.

It's also the first feature film Linklater directed for a major studio. It failed to perform well at the box office, but the movie eventually became a cult favorite.

That's partly because it captures the essence of youth, a time when cruising around town on your friend's scooter, blasting music and fucking people is an unquestioned thrill. It's a sense of immortality that we all miss.

But it's also because of the way the film captures the complexities of teenage life. It's not a perfect film, but it shows how a lot of young adults struggle to come to terms with their sexuality and their social lives.

A new book, Alright, Alright, Alright: The Oral History of Richard Linklater's Dazed And Confused, is now out, and it's a fascinating look into the making of this renowned movie. It's a collection of interviews from the film's actors, including Matthew McConaughey and Parker Posey, along with other key cast members.

5. It's a Drama

It may be a bit of a curio, but Richard Linklater's first studio effort is a superb example of the genre. Featuring an excellent ensemble cast and a precise feel for the 1970s, it's a funny, affectionate and clear-eyed look at high school life.

The movie is centered around two separate groups of Texas teenagers on their last day of school. One group is hazing incoming freshmen, while the other is throwing a kegger for their friends.

There's a lot of aimlessness in the film, as the characters do whatever they can to have fun. It's a good thing, too, because it allows the story to unfold naturally and without much interference.

Among the cast, it's Jason London who steals the show as Randy "Pink" Floyd, the football star who resents his coach's insistence that he sign a pledge swearing off drugs and alcohol. His teammate Wiley Wiggins (Wiley Wiggins, who snagged a supporting role in The Hangover) is also a standout.

Dazed and Confused is a fun, rambling film that captures the best of high school in 1976. The characters are engaging and the dialogue is endlessly quotable, and the soundtrack is top-notch.

6. It's a Romance

Dazed and Confused is one of those movies that everyone has at least heard of. It's a cult classic that has been making us nostalgic for high school since it was released in 1993.

It's a wistful look at life in the 1970s, with a bunch of characters that have an authentic feeling to them. This is why so many people still talk about it and rewatch it when they feel like they need a laugh or something to watch that is going to make them feel like a teenager again.

The way that Linklater and his team capture the atmosphere of a 1976 Austin is so authentic that it feels as though we are really there with them. Even when they are hanging out at Top Notch Hamburgers, which is a popular location in the movie, we can feel how much these characters love it there and how it is their go-to place to hang out with their friends.

The fact that we can actually relate to it so well is what makes Dazed and Confused so good. It's the kind of film that can capture a generation's nostalgia and keep it there for generations to come.

7. It's a Cult Classic

One of the most popular teen comedies ever made, Dazed and Confused is an undeniable cult classic that has been re-watched and re-loved by many audiences over the years. Despite its low budget and flop status upon release, the film has earned a devoted following and is considered one of the greatest films of all time by many critics.

Throughout the movie, Richard Linklater captures the spirit of high school without cliche or forced nostalgia. It’s a real look at the awkwardness of growing up in a bubble of social castes and traditions that can lock kids into an idea of their identity for years to come.

It also shows the reality of teenagers who aren’t sure what they want to do with their lives and who can’t see the importance of rites of passage that could make them better people. Those who aren’t sexy or into thrills and drugs can find comfort in music, friendship, and being part of a group of peers who share their interests.

It’s a fun drama, an unapologetic look at high school and an essential watch for anyone who’s lived in the 1970s. The soundtrack features a stonking selection of classic rock tunes that will appeal to die-hard rockers as well as casual music fans, making this a must-watch for anyone who loves classic rock.

8. It's a Memoir

Dazed and Confused was a risk, a movie filmed on a shoestring budget and featuring an ensemble of young actors. It landed in a box office flop, but it also earned Linklater his first Oscar nomination and brightened the spotlight on Austin filmmaking.

It might not be a classic, but it’s certainly one of the most accurate representations of high school life ever captured on screen. In its rambling way, it captures that timeless quality of youth.

What made this film so great, though, wasn’t just the storyline or the cast — it was the timing. It was the time of youth in America, when studios were willing to make indie movies on a tight budget, when the likes of Jurassic Park and Schindler’s List were in development.

The cast of Dazed and Confused, in particular, was the kind of young talent that would come to define the genre. It was an ensemble of the kind of people you might not have expected, but they all shared a common love for the film. Ultimately, it was that love and the underlying grit that made Dazed and Confused a cult classic.