Empire Records

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Empire Records

PG-13

Released Sep 22, 1995

1h 40m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

33%

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36 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

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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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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

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ult c

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/08/24

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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

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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

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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

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Christine J

This is my absolute favorite movie. It is perfect.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/09/24

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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

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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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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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