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Empire Records 1995

A group of young employees at Empire Records, a unique music store in Delaware, find their workplace threatened with a sale to a large chain. Determined to save their beloved haven, the eccentric staff members rally together. As the day unfolds, unexpected events and escalating chaos ensue, testing the bonds of friendship and challenging their beliefs about loyalty and independence. They fight to preserve the spirit of their store and the community it represents.

A group of young employees at Empire Records, a unique music store in Delaware, find their workplace threatened with a sale to a large chain. Determined to save their beloved haven, the eccentric staff members rally together. As the day unfolds, unexpected events and escalating chaos ensue, testing the bonds of friendship and challenging their beliefs about loyalty and independence. They fight to preserve the spirit of their store and the community it represents.

Does Empire Records have end credit scenes?

No!

Empire Records does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Empire Records

Explore the complete cast of Empire Records, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Empire Records

See how Empire Records is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Empire Records stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

47

Metascore

6.6

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

35%

TOMATOMETER

review

83%

User Score

IMDb

6.7 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

67

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate Empire Records Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Empire Records with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Empire Records Quiz: Test your knowledge on the iconic drama-comedy Empire Records and its memorable characters and events.

What is Joe's role at Empire Records?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Empire Records

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Read the complete plot summary of Empire Records, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


Empire Records takes place in a vibrant independent record store managed by Joe Reaves, who embodies the role of a beleaguered father figure for a group of eclectic high school students and young adults. This store is a sanctuary for them, filled with unique charm and a strong sense of family. The story begins when Joe entrusts Lucas with the responsibility of closing the store for the first time. As Lucas counts the day’s receipts, he discovers that Empire Records is on the verge of being transformed into a Music Town, a dreary chain store that will erase everything they hold dear.

In a desperate attempt to save their beloved shop, Lucas makes the impulsive decision to take the cash to Atlantic City, hoping for a stroke of luck. However, losing everything sends him and the team spiraling into chaos. When Mark and AJ stumble upon Lucas the next day, still asleep on his motorcycle, they quickly uncover the disastrous mistake he’s made with the store’s funds. Instead of feeling remorse, Lucas adopts an oddly serene attitude, which only frustrates Joe further, especially when they realize the deposit is missing.

While grappling with this crisis, Joe must prepare for “Rex Manning Day,” a publicity event featuring the once-popular singer Rex Manning. Contrary to the excitement expected, only cashier Corey expresses enthusiasm, idolizing Rex and dreaming of giving him her virginity. Meanwhile, Corey’s more adventurous friend, Gina, always the free spirit, encourages her in this pursuit. The stakes rise when Mitchell, the store owner, arrives to collect the missing deposit, leading Joe to concoct a series of excuses to buy time.

Amid these complications, Debra arrives in a troubled state, locking herself in the bathroom to shave her head after a tumultuous breakup. She reveals a darker side when it’s discovered she attempted suicide, further complicating the emotional landscape of the store. The drama intensifies when a young shoplifter, known only as Warren Beatty, is caught by Lucas, adding yet another layer to the day’s unfolding chaos.

When Rex arrives, his condescending attitude alienates the staff, particularly Corey, who experiences humiliation when he makes an inappropriate advance. AJ tries to confess his feelings to Corey, but the emotional aftermath of her encounter with Rex leaves her unable to reciprocate. As emotions surge and tempers flare, accusations fly between Corey and Gina, culminating in personal revelations that upend their fragile friendships.

As the hours pass and desperation mounts, it is revealed that the plan to convert the store into a Music Town is imminent. Joe’s hope of buying out Mitchell fades, and instead, he faces a confrontation with Lucas that leaves him feeling utterly defeated. Yet, amidst the darkness, moments of camaraderie shine through, as the staff rallies around their friends’ struggles, creating a makeshift “funeral” for Debra to express their support and love.

The climactic twist arrives when Warren returns with a gun, leading to a tense standoff. However, Debra’s courage in confronting him shifts the narrative, helping him realize he belongs with them. As their bonds strengthen, the crew devises a plan to save the store through a benefit concert and various fundraising efforts. The spirit of rebellion and creativity is unleashed, culminating in a rooftop concert that inspires the community to contribute.

With the missing funds nearly raised, the team finally confronts Mitchell, leading to an unexpected opportunity for Joe to buy Empire Records at a discount. In this moment of triumph, relationships are mended; Corey admits her feelings for AJ, and they share a passionate kiss. The movie concludes with a joyous dance party on the roof, celebrating their victory and affirming their commitment to each other and the store. As the credits roll, Mark and a friend reflect on their shared love for rock music, reminding us of the enduring power of music and friendship.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Empire Records

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Empire Records. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Original Theatrical Trailer

Cars Featured in Empire Records

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Explore all cars featured in Empire Records, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Chevrolet

1973

Blazer

Chevrolet

1986

Caprice

Ford

1992

Aerostar

Ford

1982

Econoline

Ford

1973

F-350

Ford

1988

LTD Crown Victoria

Ford

1994

Mustang

Ford

1988

Tempo

Ford

1992

Tempo

Honda

1975

CB 500 Four

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


record storemusic storeatlantic city new jerseypromiscuous womansexualitycult filmtitle spoken by charactercraps tablekissing a footreference to sinead o'connorreference to pink floydpersonal loanreference to tupac shakurreference to dr. drereference to ice cubereference to snoop doggreference to mr. bigreference to axl rosechild with a guncardboard cutoutstrong female characterplaying a video gameplaying a game boyrecord albumman's shirt accidentally rides upcoming of age dramateen dramateen romanceteen comedyrock and roll musicwrist bandageshooting blanksrecord store clerkchain storepunk musicgambling casinocelebrity appearancecoworker romancestore ownerhigh school studentbest friendshoplifterromantic crushhigh on amphetaminesbenefit concertdrummerdance partypunkaspiring artistwashed up star

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