"A forgotten classic": the '90s comedy you can stream that was the voice of a generation

A 90s comedy set in a record store on the brink of extinction is one of the most overlooked options on streaming platforms like Netflix or Prime Video . A "forgotten classic," as Decider defined it, it now sparks passion for its chaotic energy, iconic soundtrack, and a cast that would go on to shape American cinema in the years to come.

This cult film, born in the midst of the transition between grunge and teen pop, boldly portrays the dilemmas of a youth resisting uniformity. The plot, set over a single day , condenses the internal tensions of a group of employees working at an independent music store about to be acquired by a corporate chain.

Through crazy situations, impulsive decisions and acts of rebellion, Empire Records connects with a generation that lived their adolescence surrounded by cassettes, vinyl records and the rise of MTV. Directed by Allan Moyle and starring Anthony LaPaglia, Liv Tyler , Renée Zellweger and Robin Tunney, among others, it was released in 1995 to commercial failure and lukewarm reviews , but over time it has won the public's affection.

Its blend of humor and music has led many to rediscover it as a genuine representation of youthful yearnings, of resistance to "the system," and of the desire to maintain one's own space in the face of commercialization. Its soundtrack includes Gin Blossoms, The Cranberries , and Edwyn Collins, among others.

Since its arrival on video-on-demand (VOD) platforms, Empire Records has found new audiences and, with them, an opportunity to reclaim its place as the emotional voice of those who grew up halfway between the idealism of the 1990s and the arrival of the 21st century. Today, more than a film, it's a reminder that there's still room for misfits.