According to Napoleons student ID, the events of Napoleon Dynamite take place sometime between 2004 and 2005. However, the films fashion, technology, and music all point to an 80s or 90s setting, which has caused some confusion among viewers. Despite this, the creators intentionally left subtle clues to indicate the approximate time period in which the story unfolds, such as the prevalence of landline telephones, the use of disposable cameras, and the absence of social media platforms, all of which contribute to the early 2000s setting.