32 Years Ago, This Movie Turned Affleck and McConaughey Into Stars

It has been 32 years since Dazed and Confused first hit theaters, and the film still holds a special place for movie fans.

Released on September 24, 1993, the coming-of-age comedy didn’t make much money at the time, but it went on to become a cult classic. It also introduced audiences to a number of actors who later became major stars, including Ben Affleck and Matthew McConaughey.

The movie was written and directed by Richard Linklater and takes place on the last day of school in 1976. Set in Austin, Texas, it follows groups of teenagers dealing with hazing, hanging out with friends, and figuring out who they are.

The cast featured then-unknown names like Milla Jovovich, Parker Posey, Joey Lauren Adams, Cole Hauser, Rory Cochrane, Adam Goldberg, and Anthony Rapp. For McConaughey, his role as Wooderson was a breakout moment that made him stand out instantly.

Linklater has said he drew from his own teen years growing up in Huntsville, Texas. He even used the names of real people from his past.

He wanted the film to feel natural, so he let the actors improvise and shape their own scenes. Talking about his approach, Linklater once explained, “I don’t remember teenage being that dramatic. I remember just trying to go with the flow, socialize, fit in and be cool. The stakes were really low.”

While the film only earned under $8 million in U.S. theaters, it found new life on home video and later through streaming. Over the years, it’s been praised for its authentic feel and its picture of Austin in the 1970s.

Quentin Tarantino even named it one of the 10 greatest films of all time in a 2002 Sight and Sound poll. Entertainment Weekly has also ranked it high on lists of the best high school movies and funniest films of recent decades.

The movie has been celebrated in different ways since its release. In 2013, the cast reunited for its 20th anniversary, and the film was given the Star of Texas award from the Texas Film Hall of Fame.

McConaughey even brought back his Wooderson character in a 2012 music video. Linklater later revisited the spirit of the story with his 2016 film Everybody Wants Some!!, which he called a spiritual sequel.

Today, Dazed and Confused is remembered not only for its humor, music, and nostalgic vibe, but also for kickstarting the careers of actors who went on to become household names. From Affleck to McConaughey, the film’s impact is still felt three decades later.

So, on its 32nd anniversary, it’s clear that this teen comedy has aged into something much bigger than its box office run suggested. It’s fun, it’s real, and it still connects with audiences who remember what it was like to be young and just trying to fit in.

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