In 2018, Jonah Hill wrote a script about Stevie (Sunny Suljic), a thirteen-year-old in 1990s-era Los Angeles. He spends his summer navigating between his troubled home life and a group of new friends that he meets at the Motor Avenue Skate shop. If this film took your fancy, I have collated 10 movies like Mid90s.
Not only did Hill write the screenplay, but it was his first time directing. You could tell that this was a passion project for him, and little pieces of his childhood came through.
The films listed below are all coming-of-age films from different eras that explore the social landscape of the decade. Teenagers are influenced mainly by their environment and social media. These films have great performances from their young stars and meaningful discussions about gender norms, society, and relationships.
Eighth Grade (2018)
Writer-director Bo Burnham wanted to make a coming-of-age film that covered middle school in the 21st century. Times have definitely changed, and this film shows how much. An introverted teenage girl tries to survive the last week of her disastrous eighth-grade year before leaving to start high school. Newcomer Elsie Fisher gives a brilliant performance as she navigates the awkwardness of Kayla.
Waves (2019)
Kelvin Harrison Jr. is an actor that many need to look out for because he is one of the strongest rising stars out there. Writer-director Trey Edward Shults delivers a romantic drama for A24 for the modern-day teenager. This explores the journey of a suburban family — led by a well-intentioned but domineering father (Sterling K. Brown) — as they navigate love, forgiveness, and coming together in the aftermath of a loss.
The Edge of Seventeen (2016)
A teen film made by Kelly Fremon Craig for young girls everywhere, The Edge of Seventeen shows the life of a teenager who wants to go on her own journey. High school life gets even more unbearable for Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld) when her best friend, Krista (Haley Lu Richardson), starts dating her older brother. Nadine doesn’t want to be associated with her brother or her best friend, and she goes off to do something for herself.
Skate Kitchen (2018)
A teenage skateboarder makes friends with a bunch of other skateboarding girls in New York City. It is a teen film that has girls bonding and discussing important issues that only women face. They get to know each other and eventually become close friends despite the troubles they face together.
The Florida Project (2017)
Writer-director Sean Baker (who you can actually find on Letterboxd) filmed this entirely on an iPhone. Set over one summer, the film follows precious six-year-old Moonee (Brooklynn Prince) as she courts mischief and adventure with her ragtag playmates and bonds with her rebellious but caring mother, all while living in the shadows of Walt Disney World. Moonee doesn’t really face any consequences. She wreaks havoc in the area.
Licorice Pizza (2021)
If you’re wondering where you’ve seen the young man in this movie, his name is Cooper Hoffman, and he is the son of Phillip Seymour Hoffman. He made his on-screen debut with Paul Thomas Anderson, which is an accomplishment. The story of Alana Kane (Alana Haim) and Gary Valentine (Hoffman) growing up, running around, and going through the treacherous navigation of first love in the San Fernando Valley in 1973.
Booksmart (2019)
Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut put Kaitlyn Dever on the map with this hilarious teen comedy. On the eve of their high school graduation, two academic superstars and best friends realized they should have worked less and played more. Determined not to fall short of their peers, the girls try to cram four years of fun into one night. Beanie Feldstein and Dever had wonderful chemistry and were delightful with their awkwardness.
Juno (2007)
From the brilliant mind of Edgar Wright and Diablo Cody comes a teen comedy about an unplanned pregnancy. Max MaGuff (J.K. Simmons) and Bre MaGuff (Allison Janney) are the parents of Juno MacGuff (Elliot Page), and they work through this unplanned pregnancy with her. Her “kind of” boyfriend, Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera), tries to understand what Juno wants, but her parents want nothing to do with him.
Easy A (2010)
After starring in Superbad, Emma Stone starred in Easy A, and everything changed for her. To this day, the character of Olive has constantly been referenced because of how outspoken she was. Olive is at the top of her class and is clean-cut until she leans in on the rumors about her to advance her social and financial standing. One of the best teen comedies of the 2010s.
The Outsiders (1983)
You may know director Francis Ford Coppola from The Godfather, but many don’t know that he directed The Outsiders. This film was adapted from the classic novel written by S.E. Hinton. In a small Oklahoma town in 1964, the rivalry between two gangs, the poor Greasers and the rich Socs, heats up when one gang member accidentally kills a member of the other. This film challenges the social divide in the city and the perception of others based on class.
Do you have any other recommendations for movies like Mid90s? Let us know in the comments.
