Dazed and Confused is credited as the first starring vehicle for a number of A-list stars in the present day. Its praise has mainly come due to elements such as a short time span for its story, focus on youth ideals, and romance that isn’t too heavy.
Fans of this movie don’t need to worry about finding similar material to enjoy, as there have been several other films that broach topics in this range. Here, the movies we’ve compiled might be largely from familiar territory to one another, but there are enough differences in execution for you to have a fresh perspective on this genre.
Updated by Saim Cheeda on 13th May 2020: While Dazed and Confused is a draw for featuring many top celebrities of today in their youth, viewers generally get pulled into the high school film genre in itself after watching the film. For this reason, fans understandably begin searching for further options to immerse themselves in.
Since this is the era of streaming, finding movies along the same lines isn’t half as difficult as it used to. So, to allow fans to have a wider net to cast out in the high school film genre, this list has been updated to bring you more movies to enjoy.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
A brilliant slacker concocts the ultimate plan to bunk school and enjoy a day of freedom. While he’s successful in getting his best friend and girlfriend to join him, Ferris is pursued by his antagonistic sister and school principal.
It’s funny in all places, yet Ferris Bueller’s Day Off also accomplishes presenting the relatable teen problem of being underestimated. Filled with hilarious spots that bank on the chemistry of the leads, the film is a perfect mix of charm and comedy.
Night Before The Exams (2006)
During the summer of the Football World Cup 2006, two groups of teenagers befriend one another when a member from each group becomes romantically entangled. With the final exams of high school on the horizon, these new friends make the best of the summer.
An Italian feature film, Night Before the Exams is a mix of comedic moments along with the depiction of teenage problems before college. The romance aspect brings all the characters together, and the struggles with studies are also detailed.
Dirty Deeds (2005)
On the first night of homecoming weekend, a high school student takes on the task of completing the “Dirty Deeds” list, a set of outrageous challenges achieved only once before. With his timespan lasting only from dusk till dawn, he enlists the help of everyone he can to come away with the win.
It’s not nearly as heartwarming as some of the other entries in this list, although Dirty Deeds does make up for it by having a likable lead in the role and by carrying the spirit of youth. The fast pacing of the movie also helps overcome any barriers in the story.
Me And Earl And The Dying Girl (2015)
As the end of high school nears, Greg, a cynical teenager is forced to reconcile his childhood friendship with Rachel, who’s dying of leukemia. Over the time Greg, Rachel, and his friend Earl spend together, he begins to appreciate what the future has in store.
It’s unique in that it will make you laugh and cry at separate points in the movie. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is all about friendship, with the theme of learning from one’s own and their friends’ mistakes. It will most likely break your heart, but the experience is worth it.
She’s All That (1999)
After getting dumped by his popular girlfriend, a high school senior accepts a bet to turn a dorky girl into the next Prom Queen. What he doesn’t foresee, however, is falling for the girl himself as the two begin to have feelings for one another.
Perhaps the quintessential teen movie of the 1990s, She’s All That retains the breeziness of the romantic comedies of the time and adds in the theme of finding beauty in the simplest of things. The lead pairing’s chemistry still shines through, and the film is an overall fun-filled affair.
The Breakfast Club (1985)
Five teenagers are forced to attend a weekend detention, supervised by their antagonistic assistant principal. Their vastly different backgrounds leads to some valuable soul searching in the short span of time they spend together.
The Breakfast Club is considered a landmark in the coming-of-age genre, with the characters’ contrasting cliques presented as a framing device for its message that people are more than what they’re judged to be. The limited time span is perfect to put the message across, and every viewer has a different opinion on who the best character is.
Fast Times At Ridgemont High (1982)
The high school lives of teenagers are played out over a year, where the main characters navigate around the pressures of forming romantic relationships and what makes a person a real adult. However, hilarity ensues as their immaturity takes over.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High has been seen within pop culture at some point or another by most people due to it featuring some iconic moments. And while the comedy might be too much on the raunchy side at points, it really does present good character development that proves relatable to the teenage mind.
Superbad (2007)
Two soon-to-be high school graduates make one last attempt to go all out before moving to college life, with their main goal being to lose their virginity. However, this scheme turns out to be way more difficult than what they had in mind.
Superbad is another coming-of-age story that doesn’t take place over too long a timespan, but that is actually what makes it work as the hijinks the boys go through justifies this pace. Featuring the likes of comedians Michael Cera and Jonah Hill, the film subtly delivers a case for maturity among all the lunacy.
Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist (2008)
A heartbroken teenage boy meets an equally troubled girl, and over the course of a night, the two attempt to attend a popular band’s concert and locate their friends as they begin moving on with each other’s help.
Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist is like The Godfather of teen films, bringing a mix of romance, a cute story, and a soundtrack that just can’t go wrong. The nighttime setting also makes for beautiful cinematography, while the main characters are two of the more likable protagonists you’ll find in film.
The Edge Of Seventeen (2016)
17-year-old Nadine has always felt left out ever since the death of her beloved father, and after her brother steals her best friend, Nadine has to struggle through the tribulations of growing up while finding her place in life.
The Edge of Seventeen is one of the most mature teen comedy-drama films that have been made, as it touches upon topics such as depression and isolation, yet remains a funny venture at heart. It’s a pleasant watch for similarly confused teenagers and adults who remember what this phase of life was like.
I Love You, Beth Cooper (2009)
After professing his love for cheerleader Beth Cooper on graduation day, class valedictorian Dennis finds himself racing around town with Beth to avoid people out to get them, all the while proving to her that his feelings are genuine.
I Love You, Beth Cooper is one of those hidden performances from Hayden Panettiere fans aren’t very aware of, which is a shame as the movie is a nice romantic comedy told from the perspective of the loser in high school who finally gets a shot at the girl of his dreams. It also brings up an appropriate point of conformity that teenagers are forced to align with.
High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008)
Mindful of their high school days coming to an end, teenage sweethearts Troy and Gabriela attempt to keep their relationship and friendships intact while the prospect of heading to college looms dangerously over the horizon.
High School Musical 3: Senior Year was also something of a graduation for longtime Disney stars in Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron, who delivered a poignant musical filled with dance, songs, and a surprisingly mature outlook over the topic of growing up and moving on from school.
Can’t Hardly Wait (1998)
At a high school graduation party, a nerdy teenager looks to reveal his long-held feelings to the most popular girl in school. However, his path is filled with obstacles in the form of various stereotypical high schoolers.
Can’t Hardly Wait features a lot more one-dimensional characters than should be required, but it makes up for that by presenting a spoof of true stereotypes found in high school life. It’s a film that spreads its theme around in the form of comedy, and is set in a short time span that still delivers a lot of funny moments of reflection.
America Graffiti (1973)
A group of high school graduates in the early 1960s go on a journey of self-discovery over the course of a single night. During their adventures, they learn what they want out of their futures and set about in making it come true.
American Graffiti might have gotten lost among the many teen coming-of-age films over the years, but it remains one of the topmost critically acclaimed movies in this genre. Despite being targeted for the baby boomer generation, American Graffiti’s theme remains evergreen thanks to the emotional punch it delivers.
Everybody Wants Some!! (2016)
A group of college freshmen in 1980 uncover the fun life as they experience freedom for the first time. This newfound freedom brings with it challenges like settling in and the responsibilities that signal adulthood.
Everybody Wants Some!! is considered as a spiritual successor by Dazed and Confused director Richard Linklater. With this one’s story set right after high school, the film is a fun ride through the breezy time in life, sprinkled with some telling conversations over the reality of adjusting into this new phase for a young adult.
