Pump Up the Volume

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Pump Up the Volume

R,

1990,

1h 41m,

Drama/

Musical/

Comedy

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Watchlist

81%

42 Reviews

Tomatometer

85%

25,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

42 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 Crestwood (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

Jul 16, 2025

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

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

May 12, 2022

4/4

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.

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

May 27, 2016

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.

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Kat Halstead

Common Sense Media

Jul 17, 2026

4/5

This 1990 coming-of-age movie pulsates with the energy of disenfranchised youth that's finally found somewhere to channel their spirit.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Aug 29, 2025

3/4

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

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Ian Thomas Malone

ianthomasmalone.com

Aug 5, 2025

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.

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Hermione R

Apr 25, 2019

Still perfect. My 30-year-old sweetheart said after watching it with me, "if I'd seen that as a teenager it would have changed my life." It changed mine! And it 100% holds up.

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Abraham P

Jan 18, 2019

Howard Stern watchout

Luke P

Jan 14, 2019

Sure, the movie is patently awful, more terrible even than the typical 80's I'm-hotter-than-any-other-dude way, but that's what earns it 4 stars. (Confession, I saw it the day that it was released in theaters, so I may be biased.) I revel in its corniness and forced coolness.

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Leia G

Oct 15, 2018

I consider this one of the best movies to come out of the 90's. The theme's still hold up pretty well today and has one of the best soundtracks ever put on a movie. Christian Slater completely owned this role. I believe this was Samantha Mathis's first staring role and she holds her own against Christian Slater. If was fun to watch them team back up for the hit Broken Arrow several years later. I'm going to reach out to some local small theater owners to see if I can talk them into showing this. I can't believe we are still waiting for a blu-ray release of this movie considering it reached cult status a long time ago and still has a pretty strong following.

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Kylo W

Sep 21, 2018

Pump up the volume is a good teen movie full of themes of rebellion, romance and good music. Christian Slater is a great choice- he was a heartthrob and along with the film Heathers he was in huge demand. He's also a likeable actor despite having what appears to be a cocky demeanor. Of course, I did not see this as a teenager or anywhere near that age and perhaps it would have a bigger impact on me what with its themes of free speech, finding oneself and liberty- all the issues of teenage hood. But regardless, I can see why this film continues to be popular. Give it a watch and you'll be surprised. Great soundtrack too.

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Kylo G

Jun 26, 2018

This is a good teen movie full of themes of rebellion, romance and good music. Christian Slater is a great choice- he was a heartthrob and along with the film Heathers he was in huge demand. He's also a likeable actor despite having what appears to be a cocky demeanor. Of course, I did not see this as a teenager or anywhere near that age and perhaps it would have a bigger impact on me what with its themes of free speech, finding oneself and liberty- all the issues of teenage hood. But regardless, I can see why this film continues to be popular. Give it a watch and you'll be surprised. Great soundtrack too.

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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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85%

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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 Crestwood (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, Musical, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 22, 1990, Wide
Release Date (DVD): Aug 15, 2000
Box Office (Gross USA): $11.5M
Runtime: 1h 41m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby

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