Empire Records

PG-13

Released Sep 22, 1995

1 hr. 40 min.

Drama

List

31%

35 Reviews

Tomatometer

83%

100,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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Premiered May 07

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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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Christine J

This is my absolute favorite movie. It is perfect.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/09/24

Full Review

Shaun C

The poor critic reception underscores how perfect a 90s movie this was. In line with PCU, this movie framed future Xennial perspective on rejecting corporate mediocrity. Clearly the message of this flick was over the head of Boomer taste gatekeepers.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/08/24

Full Review

Johan J

This is a guilty pleasure for me. Objectively it's not a good movie, but it's a great timepiece. If you were a teenager in the 90's this is a cult movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/15/24

Full Review

jim l

Fun 90s/Gen X movie with a great soundtrack. Renee Z. and Liv Tyler steal every scene they are in, and Robin Tunney gives the best acting performance of the cast.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/24/24

Full Review

nico r

in the '90s we judged movies based on their soundtracks

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/23/24

Full Review

T G

Just saw this again for the first time since 1995, and I'd forgotten how great it is. Terrific teen movie, with a good cast, and an even better soundtrack.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/03/23

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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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

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

Alistair Lawrence

Common Sense Media

A box office flop that became a much-loved cult hit, the movie's flaws are the very things that have endeared it to fans over the years.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 8, 2021

Full Review

John Ferguson

Radio Times

Likeable if faintly preposterous.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 29, 2019

Full Review

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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
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
Sound Mix: Surround

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