Empire Records

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Empire Records

PG-13

Released Sep 22, 1995

1h 40m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

35%

Tomatometer

37 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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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

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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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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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79%

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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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