MovieTalk

Published: April 13, 2026

“Damn the man, save the physical media empire!” was the first thought that came to me in my most recent rewatch of Empire Records. As vinyl records, CDs, and even DVDs continue to find new life among younger audiences, Empire Records feels less like a 1995 cult classic and more like the kind of niche Letterboxd recommendation that feels more relevant than 

ever. Chaotic, overdramatic, and far from perfect, the film is a love letter to record-store culture and the kind of media spaces people like me increasingly yearn for. 

Released in 1995, Empire Records follows a fun and frenzied group of record store employees who must come together to save their beloved independent shop from another soulless corporate takeover. Over the course of one chaotic day, this unlikely group of friends encounters everything from an egotistical washed-up pop star, Rex Manning, to a rebellious shoplifter with a harmless agenda, Warren, turning an already stressful workday into full-blown mayhem. 

I first watched this film back in January and it has become a staple movie in my life ever since. This is most definitely due to my love for all things physical media, my ideal day being to scavenge Bull Moose and every thrift store in sight for gems to add to my carefully curated collection, with a fun drink in hand of course. It’s not just me though, according to The Los Angeles Times, Gen Z has increased physical media sales by a whopping 11% compared to previous years. 

More than just a backdrop, the store is the heart of the movie. Packed with shelves full of vintage albums, walls plastered with posters, and just the right amount of clutter, Empire Records captures the kind of local media space many students now romanticize. For media lovers like myself, it is a reminder that discovering music feels a lot more personal when it comes from conversation with fellow enthusiasts and discovery rather than whatever a streaming algorithm decides is right for you. 

Of course the movie’s charm isn’t just in its shelves and posters, it’s in the people who inhabit the store. The employees are as colorful and unpredictable as the music lining the walls, each with their own quirks, passions, and petty dramas. They might even remind you of people in your everyday life. 

Cory is the overachiever, using every minute in the day to be productive, whether it’s baking cupcakes or locking in on assignments. Debra is the wildcard, spontaneously completely shaving her head resulting in a Sinead O’Connor-esque look. Gina thrives on drama, even if that means hurting her best friend in the process. And Lucas is one bad decision away from turning an ordinary shift into a complete disaster even if his heart is in the right place. Together, they create the kind of messy, emotionally unstable friend-group dynamic that feels familiar to a group chat making increasingly worse decisions, and that over-the-top chaos is a big part of what makes it so entertaining. 

That being said, Empire Records is not the kind of movie you would find on a list for a film class. If you are looking for a tightly structured, polished movie that will leave you questioning your entire existence, this probably isn’t the one. But if you are willing to embrace a little narrative disarray and exaggeration, you might just find some comfort in this organized chaos of events. Empire Records is less a cinematic masterpiece and more of a collection of vibes, personalities, and pure ‘90s mayhem that even people not alive during the time seem nostalgic for. 

So for anyone curating a vinyl shelf, hoarding DVDs, or just daydreaming about spending an entire day in a record store with a group of friends, I highly recommend picking up a copy of Empire Records at your local media store and adding it to your rotation. Whether you’re a media nerd or just in the mood for some disorder that only the ‘90s can provide, this cult classic checks all the boxes, making it the perfect dorm-room watch for a movie night with friends.