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Comedy drama

Mid90s (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Mid90s (2018) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
81%
worldwide gross
$9.3M
award nominations
2
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Mid90s (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 25m (85 min)
Genres
Drama , Comedy
Original language
English
Studio
A24
Budget
$1.7M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
+38 more
  • 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
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Cast & crew

Mid90s Cast & Characters

Sunny Suljic leads the cast as Stevie, with Lucas Hedges as Ian and Katherine Waterston as Dabney.

Ratings

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).

78 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

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.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$9.3M

5.5× its budget

US & Canada
$7.4M
International
$1.9M
Budget
$1.7M
US & Canada 79% Rest of the world 21%
Awards

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

Videos

Mid90s Trailers & Videos

11 videos: 2 trailers, 3 teasers, 1 clip and 5 featurettes.

All 11 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer 2
  • Teaser "Spirit" Official Promo
  • Teaser "Really Cool" Official Promo
  • Teaser Official UK Teaser
Quiz

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What year is the film 'Mid90s' set in?

Cars

Cars in Mid90s

20 cars on screen, including the 1992 Mitsubishi Montero and the 1985 GMC Suburban.

All 20 cars
  • 1992 Mitsubishi Montero in Mid90s 1992 Mitsubishi Montero Important role
  • 1985 GMC Suburban in Mid90s 1985 GMC Suburban Minor role
  • 1994 Acura Integra in Mid90s 1994 Acura Integra Background role
  • 1987 Cadillac Allanté in Mid90s 1987 Cadillac Allanté Background role
Details

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
+5 more
  • Devadesátky
  • Deväťdesiate
  • שנות התשעים
  • 90. gadu vidū
  • Devym kažkelinti, mid90s ミッドナインティーズ

Seen Mid90s?

FAQ

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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