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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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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 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Stephen C Success in 1 hour and 40 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/02/25 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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