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Kid 90

Kid 90

The celebrities you thought you knew. The videos you've never seen.

202171 minTV-MAMidcredits score: 70th percentile of all films
Director
Soleil Moon Frye
Starring
Soleil Moon Frye, Stephen Dorff, Brian Austin Green, Heather McComb

As a teenager in the '90s, Soleil Moon Frye carried a video camera everywhere she went. She documented hundreds of hours of footage and then locked it away for over 20 years.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Kid 90?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Kid 90 streaming on Hulu.

Subscription

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Kid 90?

Kid 90 earns 6 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Award Winner.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Kid 90 worth watching?

Kid 90's Midcredits score is the 70th percentile of all films, from 14K ratings across 6 sources. 65% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

70th percentile

Better received than 70% of films

37th percentile among Documentary71st percentile among 2020s
Acclaim (how much people like it)66th
Approval (how many liked it)72nd

66 /100

66th percentile of all films

28th percentile among Documentary66th percentile among 2020s

Critics 67 · Audience 66

Critics and audiences broadly agree.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.9 — solid but not unanimous.

65% liked it

72nd percentile of all films

47th percentile among Documentary73rd percentile among 2020s
65% rated it 7–1035% rated it 1–6

Critics 76% · Audience 72%

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audiences approve at similar rates.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 1 wins / 0 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

87th percentile

14K ratings across platforms

97th percentile among Documentary87th percentile among 2020s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 48% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

A personal archive of 90s Hollywood teen life assembled by Soleil Moon Frye.

Fans praised

  • unique archival footage from pre-internet era
  • raw emotional honesty about trauma and loss
  • nostalgic time capsule of 90s youth culture

Detractors panned

  • self-indulgent vanity project lacking narrative focus
  • superficial treatment of deep issues and friend deaths
  • repetitive home-movie feel with no clear story

What stands out

Originality80

rare self-made archive from pre-social-media era

Emotional impactDivisive70

raw diary readings and friend deaths create catharsis for some, hollow for others

AtmosphereDivisive65

immersive nostalgia for 90s Hollywood and NYC scenes

CinematographyDivisive40

grainy, jittery home-video quality; charmingly raw or technically poor

Characters35

friends and celebs appear in clips but lack depth or arcs

Plot and story30

meandering collage with no narrative drive

Pacing30

repetitive and sluggish editing rhythm

Ending30

abrupt shift to present with no closing reflection

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 21 points higher than men.

US vs non-US

Preferred by US Viewers

US viewers scored it 14 points higher than non-US viewers.

Watch experience

What is Kid 90 like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Quiet and reflective: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are in a patient, quiet mood.

It is gentle, takes its time and leaves you bittersweet. Skip it when you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Patience.

What it feels like

Quiet and reflective.

Moods
BittersweetElegiac
Heaviest: throughout
Warm humor
Register
Tender · 13% of filmsSolemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.
Told as
Nonlinear · 6% of films: Events shown out of chronological order.
ToneThe film treats its subject matter with raw honesty and vulnerability, mixing nostalgia with tragedy.
The rideThe film sustains a wistful, reflective atmosphere across its runtime, with moments of lightness balanced by the melancholy of growing up and loss.
StructureAssembled from home videos and diary entries, jumping through the 1990s with present-day reflections.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Bittersweet.

BittersweetHaunting · 14% of films
Why it leaves you this wayMixes nostalgia for the 90s with the tragedy of lost friends and unhealed trauma.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22% (this title)

No archetype fits — true of 22% of films: ensemble pieces, satire, slice-of-life.

Why this archetypeDocumentary about child actors in 1990s Hollywood, structured as a personal retrospective through home video.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfComingof age
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% (this title) · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% (this title) · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% (this title) · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Coming of age · 5% of filmsMemory · 3% of filmsFame · 3% of films
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores the passage from adolescence to adulthood under the spotlight of celebrity, using personal archives to capture how identity and perspective shift with time.
StanceThe film presents Soleil Moon Frye's life footage without overt judgment or advocacy, letting the material speak for itself as a personal time capsule.

The world

Late 20th centuryUrbanDomesticRealistic
PopOrchestral modernSupportive music · original score · Linda Perry
Settingyoung Hollywood in the 1990s, captured via home video
MusicLinda Perry's score and curated 90s pop tracks underscore the diary-like intimacy of the footage.

Content guide

Is Kid 90 okay for kids?

TV-MA

Kid 90 is rated TV-MA. As of August 31, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at minimal (0/100), sexual content at mild (25/100), language at moderate (50/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (50/100) and frightening material at mild (17/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Ratings in 1 other country
  • Canada18A
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Mild
too few votes to rank (4 votes)
Profanity
Moderate
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Mild
too few votes to rank (2 votes)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (12 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Kid 90 have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Kid 90?

Cast

Soleil Moon Frye
as Self
Stephen Dorff
as Self
Brian Austin Green
as Self
Heather McComb
as Self
Mark-Paul Gosselaar
as Self
Balthazar Getty
as Self
Perry Farrell
as Self
David Arquette
as Self
Danny Boy O'Connor
as Self
Meeno Peluce
as Self

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Kid 90?

Movies like Kid 90 include Listen to Me Marlon (2015) and Shirkers (2018), both films with a non-linear timeline.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Kid 90?

12K other films share the rarest tag below, premise: coming of age. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.