Storyline

Filmed over 12 years with the same cast, Richard Linklater's BOYHOOD is a groundbreaking
story of growing up as seen through the eyes of a child named Mason (a breakthrough
performance by Ellar Coltrane), who literally grows up on screen before our eyes. Starring Ethan
Hawke and Patricia Arquette as Mason's parents and newcomer Lorelei Linklater as his sister
Samantha, BOYHOOD charts the rocky terrain of childhood like no other film has before.
Snapshots of adolescence from road trips and family dinners to birthdays and graduations and all
the moments in between become transcendent, set to a soundtrack spanning the years from
Coldplay's Yellow to Arcade Fire's Deep Blue. BOYHOOD is both a nostalgic time capsule of
the recent past and an ode to growing up and parenting. Written by IFC Films
Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:
coming of age | domestic abuse | 12 year time span | separated parents | growing up | See All
(211)

Taglines:
12 years in the making

Genres:
Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language including sexual references, and for teen drug and alcohol use | See all
certifications
Parents Guide:
View content advisory
Edit

Details
Official Sites:

Official Facebook | Official site | See more

Country:
USA
Language:
English | Spanish
Release Date:
15 August 2014 (USA) See more
Also Known As:
Boyhood: Momentos de una vida See more
Filming Locations:
Texas, USA See more

Box Office
Budget:
$4.000.000 (estimated)
Opening Weekend:
$387.618 (USA) (11 July 2014)
Gross:
$25.359.200 (USA) (27 February 2015)
See more

Company Credits
Production Co:
IFC Productions, Detour Filmproduction See more
Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro

Technical Specs
Runtime:
165 min
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
See full technical specs
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia
The film began production as "The Untitled 12 Year Project" and then became just "12 Years".
But when the film was finished, Richard Linklater changed the title to Boyhood (2014), to avoid
confusion with the similarly-titled, Academy Award-winning 12 godina ropstva (2013). See
more

Goofs
When Mason, Sr. and the children attend a Houston Astros game, the visiting Milwaukee
Brewers are shown wearing navy blue jerseys. In some subsequent shots, the visiting team is
wearing gray jerseys. See more

Quotes
Mr. Turlington: [Enters the darkroom] How long have you been in here, Mason?
Mason: Not sure.
Mr. Turlington: I'm sure: All class. Did you complete your image diary?
Mason: Not yet.
Mr. Turlington: Completed your digital contact sheet?
Mason: Not quite, but, I mean, it's not gonna take me long.
Mr. Turlington: "Not yet." "Not quite." Darkroom time is extracurricular. I mean, technically,

you don't ever have to be in here these days. And certainly not until you've completed your
assignments. That's the deal.
Mason: [Sarcastically] Sorry.
Mr. Turlington: I'm worried about you, Mason.
Mason: [laughs] Why is that?
[...]
See more

Connections
Referenced in Simpsoni: Barthood (2015) See more

Soundtracks
Somebody That I Used to Know
Written by Gotye (as Walter Andre De Backer), Luiz Bonf (as Luiz Bonfa)
Performed by Gotye (as Gotye) ft. Kimbra
Published by Op Shop Songs Pty Ltd.
Administered by Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc., Unichappell Music Inc. (BMI)
Courtesy of Universal Republic Records
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises
See more

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What year is it in each scene?
Q: What college does Mason choose to attend?
See more (Spoiler Alert!)