Pump Up the Volume

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Pump Up the Volume

R

1990

1h 45m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

41 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

In Arizona, an introverted and insightful teenager, Mark Hunter (Christian Slater), finds an outlet for his viewpoints through a shortwave radio. Broadcasting as Hard Harry, Hunter uses his pirate radio show to rant against the injustices and hypocrisies taking place in the area, and in society in general. Hunter conceals his off-air identity, but a determined student (Samantha Mathis) discovers the truth, while Principal Creswood (Annie Ross) seeks to shut down Hunter once and for all.

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Critics Consensus

Pump Up the Volume can be a bit overbearing, but this is one teen drama with the courage of its convictions -- and a killer soundtrack.

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Michael Wilmington

Los Angeles Times

Trying to find a middle ground between Oliver Stone and John Hughes, it misses both.

Jul 16, 2025

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

The fact that it does this simply and unabashedly gives the critic little to work with; it's all there, right on the surface, with nothing to decode–just a dream, and a dream of an idea, that it asks us to share and celebrate. And better yet, emulate.

Rated: 4/4

May 12, 2022

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

As a movie, 'Pump Up the Volume' is a lot like a teenager: at times unbearably self-important and pretentious (Nora's poems, good lord), yet undeniably, and admirably, earnest.

May 27, 2016

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a solid teen drama that benefits from its trenchant dialogue and first-class performances...

Rated: 3/4

Aug 29, 2025

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Ian Thomas Malone

ianthomasmalone.com

Despite a lackluster screenplay, Pump Up The Volume stands out from its contemporaries through its earnest sincerity. Disaffected youth don’t want to hear that it gets better. Slater found a way to reach them anyway.

Aug 5, 2025

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

The film could have been much better...or not because its intrinsic falsehood condemns it from the start. [Full review in Spanish]

Nov 3, 2022

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Sara S

Fresh score. The perfectly cast Slater effectively propels the film, his intensity and dry delivery giving it a definite edge, as does a soundtrack which includes Ice T, Concrete Blonde and the Cowboy Junkies.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/07/25

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Stephen C

Success in 1.75 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $11,500,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/30/25

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K W

Call it Rebel With a Cause, and listen good, because it's the most frank, startling and radically opinionated movie ever made for young viewers.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/25/25

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chris h

Generational movie about coming of age and the struggles of youth at a crooked highschool.one of my favorite dramas when i was a teen and love to this day.Very underrated,and delivers a war cry from teens struggling to not fall out of line in a school of shady teachers and principle.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/05/25

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Alex R

Forgotten 90s gem. Prophetical and still relevant today

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/16/25

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Wayne P

I loved this movie when it came out. I enjoyed watching Christian Slater's character broadcast his thoughts and notions and the fact he took down a corrupt high school principal was the icing on the cake. I still want my own short wave rig.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/22/25

Full Review

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Allan Moyle

Director

Christian Slater

Mark Hunter (Hard Harry)

Samantha Mathis

Nora Diniro

Ellen Greene

Jan Emerson

Scott Paulin

Brian Hunter

Cheryl Pollak

Paige Woodward

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Synopsis

In Arizona, an introverted and insightful teenager, Mark Hunter (Christian Slater), finds an outlet for his viewpoints through a shortwave radio. Broadcasting as Hard Harry, Hunter uses his pirate radio show to rant against the injustices and hypocrisies taking place in the area, and in society in general. Hunter conceals his off-air identity, but a determined student (Samantha Mathis) discovers the truth, while Principal Creswood (Annie Ross) seeks to shut down Hunter once and for all.

Director: Allan Moyle
Producer: Sandy Stern, Rupert Harvey
Screenwriter: Allan Moyle
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Production Co: New Line Cinema, SC Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 22, 1990, Wide
Release Date (DVD): Aug 15, 2000
Box Office (Gross USA): $11.5M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby

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