The story of mid90s and its portrait of teenage escape
mid90s is a coming-of-age film that doesn't sugarcoat adolescence. Released in 2018, it follows Stevie, a 13-year-old living in 1990s Los Angeles who's stuck in a cramped apartment with his abusive older brother. He finds an escape route through skateboarding — not as a sport, but as a lifestyle, a tribe, a reason to get out of the house. What starts as curiosity about the older kids at the local skate spot becomes something more urgent: a lifeline. The film tracks his summer as he navigates this new world, learning the unwritten rules of friendship, loyalty, and what it means to belong somewhere that isn't home.
Behind the making of mid90s: Jonah Hill's directorial debut
Jonah Hill's transition from actor to filmmaker was a bold move, and mid90s represents his feature directorial debut — a project he both wrote and directed. The cast features Sunny Suljic in the lead role as Stevie, delivering a performance that captures the raw vulnerability of a kid trying to act older than he is. Lucas Hedges, Na-Kel Smith, Olan Prenatt, Gio Galicia, and Ryder McLaughlin round out the skateboard crew, while Katherine Waterston plays Stevie's mother, caught between her sons' dysfunction. The film clocks in at a lean 85 minutes, a runtime that feels intentional — Hill doesn't waste a single beat. The project earned an IMDb rating of 7.4 out of 10, reflecting its polarizing nature; it's the kind of film that hits different depending on where you are in your own life. Movie OTT tracks where mid90s is currently streaming, making it easier to find than it was when it first hit theaters.
What makes mid90s stand out in coming-of-age cinema
Here's what's striking about mid90s: it refuses to make skateboarding romantic. These kids aren't heroes on a quest. They're bored, sometimes cruel, occasionally kind, mostly just trying to figure out who they are — and they're doing it badly. What works so well in Hill's direction is the specificity of the 1990s setting without letting it become a nostalgia exercise. The film captures something true about that particular moment in Los Angeles, but it's not trying to make you feel wistful. Instead, it's uncomfortable, messy, and honest in a way that most coming-of-age films shy away from. Sunny Suljic's performance is the anchor here — he plays Stevie with a kind of desperate eagerness that's both endearing and troubling, a kid so hungry for acceptance that he'll agree to almost anything. The supporting cast, particularly Lucas Hedges as the slightly more mature member of the crew, grounds the film with moments of unexpected tenderness. What nobody mentions enough is how the film treats Stevie's home situation — his mother is present but overwhelmed, his brother is a genuine threat, and there's no easy resolution to any of it. That's the film's real power: it doesn't pretend that skateboarding fixes anything. It's just what Stevie has.
Where to stream mid90s online
If you're looking to watch mid90s, you can currently find it on Max. The platform's streaming library includes a solid collection of independent and smaller films alongside major releases, making it a reliable destination for titles that don't always land on the biggest services. Availability shifts over time, so if you're planning to watch, it's worth checking the Where to Watch widget at the top of this page to confirm current streaming status. For those who track streaming across multiple platforms, Movie OTT keeps tabs on where films like this one are available, which saves you from the endless scrolling game.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who directed mid90s?
Jonah Hill made his feature directorial debut with mid90s in 2018. He also wrote the screenplay, making it a deeply personal project that reflects his vision for the story.
Q: Is mid90s based on a true story?
While mid90s isn't based on a specific true story, it draws from the skateboarding culture and youth experience of 1990s Los Angeles. Hill's direction brings an authenticity to the setting and character dynamics that feels lived-in.
Q: How long is mid90s?
The film runs 85 minutes, a tight runtime that keeps the story moving without unnecessary padding.
Q: What's the IMDb rating for mid90s?
mid90s holds a 7.4 out of 10 rating on IMDb, reflecting its appeal to viewers who appreciate raw, uncomfortable coming-of-age stories.
Q: Where can I watch mid90s?
You can stream mid90s on Max. Check the Where to Watch widget on this page for the most up-to-date availability across all platforms.
Final thoughts on mid90s
Watch mid90s if you're in the mood for something that won't let you off easy. It's not a feel-good movie, and it's not trying to be. What it is, though, is honest — about adolescence, about the need to belong, about how sometimes escape is the only option available. It's the kind of film that sticks with you not because it's polished or wrapped up neatly, but because it refuses to look away from the messy parts. Hill's directorial voice is clear and confident, and Sunny Suljic's performance lingers long after the credits roll.
