Dazed and confused was indeed a masterpiece set in a high school. Indeed, school life is the best life ever. From prom to farewell, you’ll get to enjoy each and every aspect of school life.
Moreover, you can once again experience the charm of being a young adult while watching these movies. For those who are fond of coming of age movies, we’ve compiled a list of the best coming of age films of all time.
The list comprises thirteen movies. You might be acquainted with some of these movies. Read the article and select the best one for yourself.
Here are the Best Movies like dazed and confused:
Superbad
The main characters Seth and Evan are played by Jonah Hill and Michael Cera respectively. These guys are inseparable friends. Two soon-to-be high school graduates make a desperate attempt to lose their virginity.
However, things didn’t go as planned. These kids are socially awkward as their character may reveal. Being nerdy and unpopular among others, they struggle to find attention, let alone girls. There is a twist in the story. The two friends are invited to a party by Jules, a highly popular girl.
These guys aren’t ready for the perfect love. Rather, they just want to get laid. They even have another friend named Fogell, who is considered as a sidekick. It is exciting to watch the three becoming the wrong guys for girls.
This great movie will surely provide the comical appeal it was produced for. Owing to the sexual content, the movie may not be suitable for underage individuals. Hence, viewer discretion is strongly advised.
The Edge of Seventeen
The Edge of Seventeen was released in 2016. The main actors are Hailee Steinfeld, Kyra Sedgwick, Blake Jenner, and Haley Lu Richardson. The movie depicts the relationship of a seventeen-year-old high school girl (Nadine) with her mother and father.
Her father died of a heart attack. And her lifeline is her best friend Krista. Nadine finds her friend getting intimate with Darian. This strains their friendship.
Further events change the course of the story. She then talks to her classmate Erwin Kim who likes her. She even finds support at school from her teacher Mr. Bruner. The coming of age movie was well received by the audience.
The film grossed millions in revenue worldwide. Owing to the amazing script and acting by lead artists, the film is one of the best young adult movies. It has won three accolades and was nominated for many others.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
The movie is directed by Amy Heckerling. It stars Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold amongst other actors. Released in 1982, it is a film adaptation of the same title.
The movie portrays the romantic lives of sophomores Stacy Hamilton and Mark Ratner and their older friends who consider themselves superior in romance.
The protagonist Brad Hamilton is a popular senior at his high school. He is fired for threatening an irate customer. Meanwhile, he is dumped by his girlfriend Lisa. He gets another job at a food delivery service but resigns after a beautiful woman humiliates him.
Brad’s sister Stacy is a sophomore who works at a pizza parlor. Her journey to find the right boyfriend is exciting and will keep you hooked until the very end of the film.
The movie was preserved in the United States National Film Registry in 2005. It had even blockbuster songs such as Somebody’s Baby. It is included in the list of “50 Best High School Movies” by Entertainment Weekly.
High School Musical 3: Senior Year
Yet another high school movie, this was certainly a great feat. This is an amazing 2008 American musical film. The follows six friends who are afraid to lose each other.
All are in the final year of high school and want to reflect on their experiences, hopes, and fears about the coming time. All the teens want to make the best of the few days that they are left with. The friends become torn between various choices and have to decide what’s the best one for them. This can be a basketball scholarship, or maintaining a lasting bond with their partners.
As the story progresses, you will get to know the tantrums of some while some may act mature. Witness the stunning dances of the kids. The movie has won numerous accolades and was even nominated for many others. No wonder that the movie accumulated a huge profit.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
This is perhaps an all-time favorite of individuals who have watched it even once. The story is based on a novel of the same name by Stephen Chbosky. The cast comprises stars namely Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, and others.
The film reveals the life of an alienated high-school freshman (Charlie)who treats himself as a fish out of water. This estranged kid meets outgoing friends who support him after his best friend commits suicide.
Further, the protagonist has to deal with his tumultuous past. Not only friends, but Charlie also gets inspiration from his English teacher. Altogether, the film gives us the message that no one is lonely and anybody can find solace.
The stars of the movie- Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, etc. won several accolades. The ground-breaking plot, setting, and captivating performance of the actors succeeded in alluring the audience.
Everybody Wants Some
This teen comedy film was released in 2016. It is the most recent title on this list. The major actors are Blake Jenner, Zoey Deutch, Ryan Guzman, Tyler Hoechlin, Glen Powell, Will Brittain, and Wyatt Russell.
The main character is Jake Bradford state pitcher in high school. The film is all about rambling affairs on the outskirts of the school campus. These guys, all basketball players embark on a journey to become the most successful athlete in romance. They try to dominate dance, romance and even conversation.
The guys just want to win everything. The protagonist breaks all the barriers to fulfill their desires and ignore the house rules. Whose wrath will they face next?
The story is itself entertaining and the loose end battles of the characters will ensure that you don’t get bored during the entire course of the movie. The film got positive views by a plethora of critics and was nominated at two award ceremonies.
American Graffiti
This is a coming-of-age comedy film directed by George Lucas. The film stars Richard Dreyfuss, Ronny Howard, and Paul Le Mat. The movie is a study of the cruising and early rock ‘n’ roll cultures popular in 1962.
It is intriguing to watch a group of teenagers and their adventures on screen. Longtime friends Curt Henderson and Steve Bolander meet two other cool friends. One of the guys is the real player of drag-racing in the town.
The film has great music and soundtrack that will maintain your interest in various instances of the movie. Steve gives Terry his favorite car to take care of. Their journey has exciting turns.
On the other hand, Curt falls for a blonde girl who is considered a prostitute by a group of greasers. Curt gets a message from this woman who reveals that she knows him. Tussle arises between Steve and Laurie and they have a breakup. American Graffiti was nominated for major film awards and won numerous accolades.
Can’t Hardly Wait
Can’t Hardly Wait for showcases a graduation party of a high school. The film is very similar to the high school movies of the 1980s. The movie made millions at the box office. Actors include Ethan Embry, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Charlie Korsmo, Lauren Ambrose, Peter Facinelli, and Seth Green.
The story begins with a senior class attending a graduation party at a mansion. Preston Meyers, a nerdy guy wants to propose Amanda, the prom queen. William plots revenge against Mike for years of bullying. Even Amanda’s cousin tries to impress her. The movie is considered one of the best high school movies of all time.
It contains freshness, comic invention, and an engaging romantic spirit that will insist you to glue your eyes to the screen. Moreover, the characters are smart and geeky. The movie grossed an amount double its production budget.
Dirty Deeds
Dirty Deeds is a comedy film that was released in 2005. The movie stars Milo Ventimiglia, Lacey Chabert, David Collins amongst others. In this film, Zach Harper (a high-school student) has to complete outrageous challenges in just one day.
He has to replicate the feat that was achieved by only one student named Duncan Rime many years ago. The reason behind this is a favor for his classmate Meg.
This is a case of swapping as he does the acts of another person. His first challenge is to drink beer in front of the cops. The jocks try to prevent his deeds by hook or by crook. But Zach is persistent and fails to mend his ways. Zach turns the tables against his opponents with the help of Vincent Scarano, who proves to be a true friend. In the end, he falls head over heels for the adorable girl Meg.
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is an adaptation of a debut novel of the same name by Jesse Andrews. Some of the prominent actors are Thomas Mann, Olivia Cooke, RJ Cyler, and Nick Offerman.
The protagonist is a 17-year old high school senior named Greg Gaines. This guy is reticent and avoids close contacts. Still, he possesses endearing honesty. When he learns about the disease of his childhood friend Rachel, he decides to care for her rather than focusing on studies.
Madison, a pretty girl at school, persuades Greg and Earl to make a movie based on Rachel’s life. Rachel doesn’t want Greg to disrupt his studies and convinces him to apply to a college.
The film received accolades in numerous categories such as best comedy, best picture, etc. You will definitely love the characters and their style. Rachel goes into a coma and eventually dies. He is comforted by Rachel’s mom.
Boyhood
Watch the transition in the life of a boy from childhood to adulthood in this mesmerizing movie. Boyhood hit theatres in 2014 and perfected what is known as coming of age.
Some of the main stars of the movie are Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke. The plot follows a six-year-old Mason Evans Jr. living with his older sister and divorced mother, Olivia. His mother marries her boyfriend named Bill.
Things take an ugly turn when Bill starts wreaking havoc at their home. The movie garnered respect among the audience and managed to receive critical acclamation from the youth. What’s more? It is a family movie and is appropriate for everyone. The film earned a score of accolades and was also nominated for some awards.
I Love You, Beth Cooper
This movie was released in 2009. The lead roles are played by Denis Cooverman and Hayden Panettiere. This is an interesting and engaging story of a high school nerd who secretly admires the most popular girl in school.
Who knows that this awkward guy really has the nerves to propose his dream girl in public? The movie will reveal multiple facets of Beth’s personality. Sometimes, she is portrayed as great and sometimes as rough. A hallmark of this movie is the villain ‘Muncher’ who is an ROTC officer and commands huge respect.
SubUrbia
SubUrbia is a comedy-drama film directed by Richard Linklater. To name a few, actors are Jayce Bartok, Amie Carey, Nicky Katt, Ajay Naidu and Parker Posey. The film is set in fictional Burnfield.
The story revolves around four friends who are drunkards. These guys have the habit of taunting other people. The main character is Jeff, who is unsure of his future. His allies are Buff and Tim.
The latter is discharged from the Air Force. The guys fail to get tickets for a rock concert. The friends contemplate what they want to do with their lives. One of the stars Ajay Naidu was nominated at Independent Spirit Awards.
So, this was a list of the best alternatives to the movie ‘dazed and confused’. We hope it will help you to find the best movie. Go ahead and watch these exciting pictures to double the joy.