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Empire Records

Play trailer Poster for Empire Records PG-13 Released Sep 22, 1995 1h 40m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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35% Tomatometer 37 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 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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Empire Records

Empire Records

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review Mark Caro Chicago Tribune If Clerks were written by TV hacks, it might feel something like this. Rated: 1.5/4 Mar 29, 2019 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Brian T This movie is on the very short list of movies that is a must watch annually or at anytime it's on, no matter at the point in the movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/09/25 Full Review Blu B Huh....Maybe if I was a teen when this came out I'd have more nostalgia or "get it" but as it stands I just don't. The biggest strike for me is there is just this "phony" like feeling of manufacturerd drama and dialouge. There are lines in this that no one would ever really say and feel like it thinks it's so good. It rubs me the wrong way. Acting/Cinematography is just alright honestly. Cool setting but it's just used for bizarre scenes half the time. Direction isn't bad though. Editing/pacing isn't good here. There is way too many characters, the narrative is so disjointed, and it's so jumpy and unfocused. Drug use, romances, the store closing, kid wanting to work at the place, pranks, tension between coworkers, it all feels like just a whole lot of nothing and it doesn't feel authentic. Zellewegger is probably the best thing acting wise and isn't bad. Couldn't stand the one punk cocky dude who felt every other line was a timeless soundbyte. Feels like we forget most of the time about saving the store also. It gives off Clerks & John Hughes teen movie type vibes but doesn't capture any of the authenticity, message, wit. The humor in this is so quirky but never made me laugh once and is so flat I didn't even think about laughing if that makes sense. The end party was probably the best scene. Best thing that saves this though....the soundtrack is really good. It's so 90's and the best part. I mean they work in a record store so it makes sense. Easily the most memroable thing and saves this from being terrible. As it is I guess if you grew up on this than maybe it resonates in some way but there are way better films like this. Skip it. Disappointed honestly. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/09/25 Full Review David F This film has a lot of 90s nostalgia, and for that I’m grateful, but that was about all there was to like or be entertained by in this film. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 08/26/25 Full Review charlotte t i really liked this movie and thought the characters were unique and interestingly narrated the movie. Lucas and Mark were quite random, but they fit in nicely with the way they broke the forth wall and helped to enhance the group's misfit dynamic. this movie takes notice of 'The Breakfast Club' and as mentioned in other reviews, 'School of Rock', yet isn't quite as good due to the certain messy areas in the storyline. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/18/25 Full Review Caleb C A bunch of 90s misfits try to save their record store, except there’s barely a plot and everyone acts like they’re stuck in a caffeine-fueled music video. It’s part John Hughes, part Clerks, with a dash of Airheads, but without the sharp writing or solid performances to hold it together. Renée Zellweger comes off best, though that might just be because we know she grew up to win Oscars while most of this cast vanished into IMDb obscurity. The soundtrack slaps, the editing is a trainwreck, and the ending is basically It’s a Wonderful Life if George Bailey was a burnout in Doc Martens throwing a rooftop concert. It’s fun in that “watching animals in a zoo” way, but it’s also a reminder that vibes aren’t a substitute for a story. If you’re here for the music and the 90s fashion, you’ll probably have a good time. If you’re here for a movie… maybe don’t. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 08/10/25 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews
Empire Records

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Movie Info

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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