Empire Records

Play trailer

Empire Records

PG-13

Released Sep 22, 1995

1h 40m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

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

Dave G

Really places you in the mid 90's, nostalgic music lovers will enjoy.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/25

Full Review

Tony S

One of a few movies about a record shop, teenage employees, and their lives full of emotions, conflicts, and dreams. This one has a few twists, but pretty much runs according to schedule to get to a destination not unanticipated, but enjoyable.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/18/25

Full Review

ult c

Excellent movie!!! Fun from start to finish. Definitely one to watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/08/24

Full Review

Tanya D

Damn the man! Save the empire! This movie is very underrated, and a must see for anyone that was a teenager in the 90s. Cult classic for sure, and the soundtrack is 👌🏻

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/18/24

Full Review

mark g

Very unrealistic and sappy. Few characters have believability or entertainment value. The soundtrack was good, but absolutely nothing else was. Irritating.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

07/30/24

Full Review

Coffee U

Lucas foresaw where the over-corporatization of music and entertainment would lead. I miss the days of the local record store, teenagers having jobs based on interests rather than chasing online clout, and groups of weirdos and pseudo-normies being brought together by rhythm and lyrics. If the premise was preposterous, it was in an eerily prophetic way.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/08/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Allan Moyle

Director

Anthony LaPaglia

Joe Reaves

Rory Cochrane

Lucas

Johnny Whitworth

A.J.

Liv Tyler

Corey Mason

Renée Zellweger

Gina

Crooklyn

79%

90%

Crooklyn

Watchlist

The Cure

45%

84%

The Cure

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Cure

Camilla

44%

39%

Camilla

Watchlist

Guilty by Suspicion

68%

55%

Guilty by Suspicion

Watchlist

I'm Not Rappaport

38%

60%

I'm Not Rappaport

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

New on Netflix October 2019

Five Favorite Films with Ethan Embry

RT-UK’s What to Watch at the Edinburgh Film Festival

View more photos

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

Most Popular at Home Now