The One Movie Quentin Tarantino Believes Is the Greatest Hangout Film of All Time
Quentin Tarantino is a filmmaker whose journey has seen him rise from a dedicated video store clerk to one of the most celebrated directors in history. His deep-seated affection for the medium began in childhood when he was introduced to gritty classics like Deliverance, leading him to pen his first screenplay at the young age of fourteen.
When people inquire about his formal education in cinema, he famously responds that he didn’t attend film school, but instead simply went to the movies. This lifelong obsession is evident in every project he directs, as his films are meticulously constructed as homages to the diverse history of filmmaking.
Known for his outspoken nature, the director never misses an opportunity to praise the works that have influenced his own unique style. During an interview where he ranked his top selections from the late nineties through the early aughts, he singled out one title as the pinnacle of hangout movies.
His choice was the 1993 cult classic Dazed and Confused, directed by Richard Linklater. Set during the final day of high school in 1976 Texas, the film captures the raw, nostalgic essence of youth through an ensemble of characters navigating the transition into adulthood.
Tarantino has noted that the beauty of the film lies in the way its characters feel like old friends whenever you revisit them every few years. He places it in the same high regard as the classic Western Rio Bravo, celebrating its ability to make the audience feel like they are simply spending time with familiar faces.
The film served as a major launching pad for stars like Matthew McConaughey and Ben Affleck, and despite its modest start, it has become an essential entry in the coming-of-age genre.
Richard Linklater is currently in the midst of a prolific run, with his 2025 biographical drama Blue Moon earning Ethan Hawke a Best Actor nomination at the upcoming Academy Awards. The film, which follows songwriter Lorenz Hart, further cements the enduring creative partnership between Linklater and Hawke.
The director is also receiving widespread acclaim for his French-language project Nouvelle Vague, a black-and-white tribute to the French New Wave that premiered at Cannes and is now sweeping through the awards circuit.
Breakout star Matthew McConaughey is also having a standout year with the August release of his critically acclaimed crime thriller The Rivals of Amziah King. Directed by Andrew Patterson, the film stars McConaughey as a charismatic figure in rural Oklahoma and features a stellar supporting cast including Kurt Russell and Cole Sprouse.
The actor also appears in the Apple TV+ original film The Lost Bus, a harrowing drama based on true events from the California wildfires, directed by Paul Greengrass. Whether they are exploring 19th-century philosophy or modern-day crime, the creative minds behind Tarantino’s favorite “hangout” film continue to be some of the most relevant figures in the industry today.
Which character from Dazed and Confused would you most want to spend an afternoon “hanging out” with? Share your thoughts in the comments!