Empire Records

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Empire Records

PG-13

Released Sep 22, 1995

1h 40m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

35%

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37 Reviews

83%

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100,000+ Ratings

Joe (Anthony LaPaglia) runs Empire Records, an independent Delaware store that employs a tight-knit group of music-savvy youths. Hearing that the shop may be sold to a big chain, slacker employee Lucas (Rory Cochrane) bets a chunk of the store's money, hoping to get a big return. When this plan fails, Empire Records falls into serious trouble, and the various other clerks, including lovely Corey (Liv Tyler) and gloomy Deb (Robin Tunney), must deal with the problem, among many other issues.

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Critics Consensus

Despite a terrific soundtrack and a strong early performance from Renee Zellweger, Empire Records is mostly a silly and predictable teen dramedy.

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David Kronke

Los Angeles Times

The biggest audience laugh at a recent showing came when a guy deadpanned, "This movie speaks for our generation." The sun can't set too soon on this Empire.

Mar 29, 2019

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Mark Caro

Chicago Tribune

If Clerks were written by TV hacks, it might feel something like this.

Rated: 1.5/4

Mar 29, 2019

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Ryan Gilbey

Independent (UK)

It was never on the cards that Allan Moyle, the director of Pump Up the Volume, would deliver an authentic study of modern youth with his new film Empire Records. But the picture is barely even set on this planet, let alone in this era.

Mar 29, 2019

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a mostly watchable comedy that never quite becomes as engaging (or memorable) as one might’ve hoped...

Rated: 2.5/4

Dec 4, 2024

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Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

The film is a story of independent spirits battling a soulless corporation, produced without any apparent self-awareness by Regency Enterprises for Warner Bros; a soulless corporation.

Rated: 6/10

Sep 17, 2024

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

An anecdotal comedy like this lives or dies on the charisma of its ensemble, and this is a decidedly fun group to spend 90 minutes with.

Rated: B+

Sep 1, 2022

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Audience Member

I watched this after not having seen it in a very long time and it still holds up. It's fun and light-hearted and makes me long for the days of record stores.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/25/25

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Missy P

Good movie messy at some points but the cast is amazing and it al comes together

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/22/25

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Mike P

A hoary hodgepodge of teenybopper trash and 90s grunge soundtrack...featuring bad acting and predictable cliche-drama. A bunch of kids work it out at the local record store; Empire Records; all their little love triangles and soap opera showdowns. Skip this one.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/14/25

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Jay W

A dopey coming-of-teenager movie that's a mix of "The Breakfast Club" & "The School of Rock" that's got the charm of neither. Save you 90 minutes and look elsewhere.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

07/12/25

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Horror fan 4

Star studded cast and believable characters make this a very good movie. Tim Treakle

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/09/25

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Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 40 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/02/25

Full Review

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Allan Moyle

Director

Anthony LaPaglia

Joe Reaves

Rory Cochrane

Lucas

Johnny Whitworth

A.J.

Liv Tyler

Corey Mason

Renée Zellweger

Gina

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79%

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Synopsis

Joe (Anthony LaPaglia) runs Empire Records, an independent Delaware store that employs a tight-knit group of music-savvy youths. Hearing that the shop may be sold to a big chain, slacker employee Lucas (Rory Cochrane) bets a chunk of the store's money, hoping to get a big return. When this plan fails, Empire Records falls into serious trouble, and the various other clerks, including lovely Corey (Liv Tyler) and gloomy Deb (Robin Tunney), must deal with the problem, among many other issues.

Director: Allan Moyle
Producer: Arnon Milchan, Michael G. Nathanson, Alan Riche, Tony Ludwig
Screenwriter: Carol Heikkinen
Production Co: Regency Enterprises
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 22, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Runtime: 1h 40m
Sound Mix: Surround

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