Mid90s (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Mid90s is a 2018 comedy drama starring Sunny Suljic as Stevie, Lucas Hedges and Katherine Waterston. It runs 1 hour 25 minutes and earned $9.3 million worldwide on a $1.7 million budget. It earned 2 award nominations, including Best Young Actor/Actress at the Critics' Choice 2019. Critics gave it 81% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10.
What Is Mid90s About?
The premise of Mid90s without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In 1990s Los Angeles, thirteen-year-old Stevie escapes a difficult home life by spending his summer at a local skate shop. There, he finds camaraderie and mentorship with a group of older, more experienced skaters, learning about life, friendship, and navigating the challenges of adolescence along the way. He quickly becomes immersed in the skateboarding scene, finding a place where he truly belongs.
Mid90s Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- coming of age
- skateboard
- friendship
- brother brother relationship
- public urination
- party
- hospital
- lie
- teenage girl wears panties and bra
- fingering
- cunnilingus
- fellatio
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- god
- bible
- self harm
- gay slur
- skateboarding
- older brother younger brother relationship
- teenage boy
- alcohol
- drunkenness
- girl wears underwear
- los angeles california
- child abuse
- breast feeding
- california
- vagina
- christmas
- 1990s
- car accident
- skateboard stunt
- skateboard accident
- blood
- mother son relationship
- urination
- sexism
- machismo
- single mother
- fight
- brother slaps brother
- mirror
- looking at oneself in a mirror
- prologue
- push ups
- remote control
- playing a video game
- scene during opening credits
- baseball cap
- t shirt
- sneakers
Mid90s Cast & Characters
Sunny Suljic leads the cast as Stevie, with Lucas Hedges as Ian and Katherine Waterston as Dabney.
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Sunny Suljic as Stevie -
Lucas Hedges as Ian -
Katherine Waterston as Dabney - Gio Galicia as Ruben
Also Starring in Mid90s
· 14 more- Na-kel Smith Ray
- Olan Prenatt Fuckshit
- Ryder McLaughlin Fourth Grade
- Alexa Demie Estee
- Jerrod Carmichael
- Cici Lau
- Kasey Elise
- Fig Camila Abner Angela
- Liana Perlich Teresa
- Stephane Nicoli
- Jax Malcolm
- Margaret Newborn
- Di Vinci SanTana Guthrie
- Lauren B. Mosley
Mid90s Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Mid90s 81% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in story & flow (60).
Mid90s Echo Score Breakdown
Mid90s succeeds most clearly as an evocative period piece driven by strong visual and auditory choices but is tempered by uneven narrative and character exploration. The film’s commitment to capturing mid-90s skate culture and nostalgia shines through consistent production design, evocative music references, and measured direction. However, plot coherence and character depth fluctuate, with some interpersonal dynamics feeling underdeveloped. Overall, the movie leaves a generally positive impression rooted in its authentic aesthetic and youthful energy despite its narrative shortcomings.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 85
The film’s art and craft stand out through confident direction and striking cinematography that evoke the era. Production design delivers an understated color palette of board graphics and vintage decor, while editing maintains a brisk pace even when the story lags. Occasional fisheye sequences underscore the skate culture aesthetic without overpowering the narrative. Overall, the technical craftsmanship gives Mid90s a consistent and engaging visual identity.
- Character & Emotion 75
When it comes to character and emotion, performances are a clear strength, notably from the lead actor whose portrayal conveys genuine longing and vulnerability. Supporting roles offer warmth and camaraderie, but several secondary figures lack fully realized arcs, limiting emotional resonance. Chemistry within the skate crew feels authentic in scenes of shared risk and laughter, though some relationships end without sufficient payoff. In sum, acting quality is high even as depth remains uneven.
- Story & Flow 60
In terms of story and flow, Mid90s presents an intermittently engaging coming-of-age journey punctuated by moments of nostalgia rather than a fully cohesive plot. Pacing shifts between energetic skate sequences and slower, introspective beats, occasionally leading to a detached viewing experience. Originality emerges through cultural references but overall narrative stakes feel familiar and sometimes predictable. As a result, the film offers glimpses of promise but does not sustain consistent engagement throughout.
- Sensory Experience 85
The sensory experience of Mid90s is notably immersive, with a soundtrack filled by period-specific tracks and sound design that accentuates skateboarding sounds. Visual style employs a muted palette accented by vibrant board decals and lens choices that capture the era’s texture. Sound cues—such as ambient street noises and music cues—blend cohesively with each scene, reinforcing the film’s authentic atmosphere. Overall, the sensory elements coalesce into a vivid depiction of mid-90s culture.
- Rewatch Factor 75
Regarding rewatch factor, Mid90s holds appeal for audiences drawn to 1990s nostalgia and skate culture authenticity. Instances of warmth, humor, and standout performances invite repeat viewings, especially for those with personal ties to the era. However, viewers seeking intricate narratives or fully realized character journeys may find limited incentive for multiple viewings. In conclusion, the film offers respectable replay value grounded in its cultural textures and emotional highlights.
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IMDb 7.4 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 81% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 81%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 66 Metascore
User score 7.6
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 75% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.8 /5
19K ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 4.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Mid90s Plot Summary
What happens in Mid90s from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In 1996, Stevie, a 13-year-old boy living in Palms, Los Angeles, navigates the challenges of a troubled home life, marked by a physically abusive older brother, Ian, and a single mother, Dabney. One fateful day, Stevie’s curiosity draws him to Motor Avenue Skateshop, where he is captivated by the lively banter and camaraderie of the skaters outside. Enthralled, he returns the next day and, through a trade with Ian, acquires a skateboard. At the shop, he forms a bond with young skater Ruben, who introduces him to an eclectic group of friends: the charming leader Ray, the boisterous Fuckshit played by [Olan Prenatt], and the more reserved Fourth Grade portrayed by [Ryder McLaughlin].
Full summary
The whole story of Mid90s, scene by scene
Mid90s Box Office & Budget
Mid90s grossed $9.3 million worldwide on a $1.7 million budget, 5.5 times what it cost. $7.4 million came from the US and Canada and $1.9 million (21%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$9.3M
5.5× its budget
- US & Canada
- $7.4M
- International
- $1.9M
- Budget
- $1.7M
Mid90s Awards & Nominations
Mid90s earned 2 award nominations, including Best Young Actor/Actress at the Critics' Choice 2019. The 2 nominations come from 2 ceremonies.
2 nominations2 ceremonies
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Critics' Choice 2019 1 nomination- Nominated Best Young Actor/Actress – Sunny Suljic
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Spirit Awards 2019 1 nomination- Nominated Best Editing
Mid90s Trailers & Videos
11 videos: 2 trailers, 3 teasers, 1 clip and 5 featurettes.
- Trailer Official Trailer 2
- Teaser "Spirit" Official Promo
- Teaser "Really Cool" Official Promo
- Teaser Official UK Teaser
How Well Do You Know Mid90s?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What year is the film 'Mid90s' set in?
Cars in Mid90s
20 cars on screen, including the 1992 Mitsubishi Montero and the 1985 GMC Suburban.
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1992 Mitsubishi Montero Important role -
1985 GMC Suburban Minor role -
1994 Acura Integra Background role -
1987 Cadillac Allanté Background role
Mid90s Also Known As
17 alternative titles, including “mid90s ミッドナインティーズ:2018” and “En los 90”.
- Also known as
-
- mid90s ミッドナインティーズ:2018
- En los 90
- Середина 90-х
- Средата на 90-те
- 90's
- 미드 90
- Najlepsze lata
- 90'lar Ortası
- 90年代中期
- A gördeszkások
- Anos 90
- Été '95, en los 90s
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- Devadesátky
- Deväťdesiate
- שנות התשעים
- 90. gadu vidū
- Devym kažkelinti, mid90s ミッドナインティーズ
Seen Mid90s?
Movies Like Mid90s
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Age of Summer, Skate Kitchen and Orange County.
Mid90s FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Mid90s, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Mid90s?
Mid90s runs 1 hour 25 minutes (85 minutes).
When was Mid90s released?
Mid90s was released on October 19, 2018.
Who is in the cast of Mid90s?
Mid90s stars Sunny Suljic as Stevie, Lucas Hedges as Ian and Katherine Waterston as Dabney, among 18 credited actors.
How much did Mid90s make at the box office?
Mid90s grossed $9.3 million worldwide ($7.4 million domestic, $1.9 million international) on a budget of $1.7 million.
How is Mid90s rated?
Mid90s has 7.4/10 on IMDb, 81% on Rotten Tomatoes, 66 on Metacritic and 75% on TMDB.
Was Mid90s nominated for any awards?
Mid90s received 2 nominations across 2 ceremonies.
Does Mid90s have a post-credit scene?
No. Mid90s has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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