content: <PAGE>   1
        As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 22, 1998
  
                                                       Registration No. 333-______
  
  ================================================================================
  
                         SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                               WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
  
                               ----------------------
  
                                      FORM S-8
                               REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                       UNDER
                             THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
  
                                RENTERS CHOICE, INC.
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  
            DELAWARE                                      48-1024367
  (State or other jurisdiction of            (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   incorporation or organization)
  
                          13800 MONTFORT DRIVE, SUITE 300
                                   DALLAS, TEXAS                    75240
                      (Address of principal executive offices)    (zip code)
  
                                AMENDED AND RESTATED
                             1994 RENTERS CHOICE, INC.
                              LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
                              (Full title of the plan)
  
                                 DANNY Z. WILBANKS
                          13800 MONTFORT DRIVE, SUITE 300
                                DALLAS, TEXAS 75240
                      (Name and address of agent for service)
  
                                   (972) 419-2652
           (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
  
                          CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
  <TABLE>
  <CAPTION>
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Proposed            Proposed
       Title of                   Amount                  Maximum              Maximum         Amount of
      Securities                  to be                Offering Price         Aggregate       Registration
   to be Registered             Registered                Per Share         Offering Price         Fee                     
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  <S>                           <C>                      <C>                <C>               <C>
  Common Stock,
  par value $0.01
  per share                     1,500,000                $27.72*            $41,580,000*      $12,266.10
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  </TABLE>
  
  *        Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
           in accordance with Rule  457(h).  Pursuant to Rule 457(h), this
           estimate is based upon the average of the high and low prices of the
           Registrant's common stock, par value $0.01 per share, on May 18, 1998
           (as reported on The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.).
  <PAGE>   2
                                  EXPLANATORY NOTE
  
           This Registration Statement on Form S-8 is filed in order to register
  an additional 1,500,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of
  Renters Choice, Inc. for issuance pursuant to the 1994 Renters Choice, Inc.
  Long-Term Incentive Plan (as amended, the "Plan").  The contents of that
  earlier Registration Statement (Registration No. 33-98800), which registered
  1,500,000 shares (on a post-split basis) for issuance under the Plan was filed
  on October 31, 1995, are hereby incorporated by reference.
  
  
  ITEM 8.  EXHIBITS
  
  5.1      Opinion of Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C. regarding the validity of
           the securities being registered.*
  
  23.1     Consent of Grant Thornton LLP.*
  
  23.2     Consent of Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C. (included as part of
           Exhibit 5.1).*
  
  24       Power of Attorney (See Page II-1 of this Registration Statement).*
  
  99.1     Amended and Restated 1994 Renters Choice, Inc. Long-Term Incentive
           Plan.*
  
  
  
  
  ---------------------
  
  * Filed herewith.
  <PAGE>   3
                                     SIGNATURES
  
           Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
  Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
  all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this
  Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
  duly authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on May 22, 1998.
  
                                          RENTERS CHOICE, INC.
  
  
                                          By: /s/ J. ERNEST TALLEY
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              J. Ernest Talley
                                              Chairman of the Board and
                                              Chief Executive Officer
  
  
  
                                 POWER OF ATTORNEY
  
           KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
  appears below hereby constitutes and appoints J. Ernest Talley and Danny Z.
  Wilbanks, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents,
  with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and on his behalf
  and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and
  all documents relating to this Registration Statement, including any and all
  amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration
  Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits and supplements thereto, and
  other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
  Commission, and hereby grants to such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of
  them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
  requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to
  effectuate the same, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could
  do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact
  and agents or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may
  lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
  
  
  
  
  
                                        II-1
  <PAGE>   4
           Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
  Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
  capacities and on the dates indicated.
  
  
  <TABLE>
  <CAPTION>
           Signature and Title                                     Date
           -------------------                                     ----
  <S>                                                          <C>
  /s/ J. ERNEST TALLEY                                         May 22, 1998
  -------------------------------------------                             
  J. Ernest Talley
  Chairman of the Board and
  Chief Executive Officer (Principal
  Executive Officer)
  
  
  /s/ MARK E. SPEESE                                           May 22, 1998
  -------------------------------------------                             
  Mark E. Speese
  President, Chief Operating
  Officer and Director
  
  
  /s/ DANNY Z. WILBANKS                                        May 22, 1998
  -------------------------------------------                             
  Danny Z. Wilbanks
  Senior Vice President of Finance
  and Chief Financial Officer
  (Principal Financial
  and Accounting Officer)
  
  
  /s/ J. V. LENTELL                                            May 22, 1998
  -------------------------------------------                             
  J. V. Lentell
  Director
  
  
  /s/ JOSEPH V. MARINER, JR.                                   May 22, 1998
  -------------------------------------------                             
  Joseph V. Mariner, Jr.
  Director
  
  
  /s/ REX W. THOMPSON                                          May 22, 1998
  -------------------------------------------                             
  Rex W. Thompson
  Director
  </TABLE>
  
  
  
  
  
                                        II-2
  <PAGE>   5
                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS
  
  
  <TABLE>
  <CAPTION>
  Exhibit
  Number   Exhibit
  ------   -------
  <S>      <C>
  5.1      Opinion of Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C. regarding the validity of
           the securities being registered.*
  
  23.1     Consent of Grant Thornton LLP.*
  
  23.2     Consent of Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C. (included as part of
           Exhibit 5.1).*
  
  24       Power of Attorney (See Page II-1 of this Registration Statement).*
  
  99.1     Amended and Restated 1994 Renters Choice, Inc. Long-Term Incentive
           Plan.*
  
  
  
  
  ---------------------
  
  * Filed herewith.
  
  </TABLE>
metadata_documents: [{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 8687}]
metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "RENTERS CHOICE INC", "cik": "0000933036", "assigned-sic": "7359", "irs-number": "660431870", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-53471", "film-number": "98630988"}, "business-address": {"street1": "13800 MONTFORT", "street2": "STE 300", "city": "DALLAS", "state": "TX", "zip": "75240", "phone": "2144192613"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "13800 MONTFORT", "street2": "SUITE 300", "city": "DALLAS", "state": "TX", "zip": "75240"}}
text: 1
        As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 22, 1998
  
                                                       Registration No. 333-______
  
  ================================================================================
  
                         SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                               WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
  
                               ----------------------
  
                                      FORM S-8
                               REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                       UNDER
                             THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
  
                                RENTERS CHOICE, INC.
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  
            DELAWARE                                      48-1024367
  (State or other jurisdiction of            (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   incorporation or organization)
  
                          13800 MONTFORT DRIVE, SUITE 300
                                   DALLAS, TEXAS                    75240
                      (Address of principal executive offices)    (zip code)
  
                                AMENDED AND RESTATED
                             1994 RENTERS CHOICE, INC.
                              LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
                              (Full title of the plan)
  
                                 DANNY Z. WILBANKS
                          13800 MONTFORT DRIVE, SUITE 300
                                DALLAS, TEXAS 75240
                      (Name and address of agent for service)
  
                                   (972) 419-2652
           (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
  
                          CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Proposed            Proposed
       Title of                   Amount                  Maximum              Maximum         Amount of
      Securities                  to be                Offering Price         Aggregate       Registration
   to be Registered             Registered                Per Share         Offering Price         Fee                     
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Common Stock,
  par value $0.01
  per share                     1,500,000                $27.72*            $41,580,000*      $12,266.10
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  *        Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
           in accordance with Rule  457(h).  Pursuant to Rule 457(h), this
           estimate is based upon the average of the high and low prices of the
           Registrant's common stock, par value $0.01 per share, on May 18, 1998
           (as reported on The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.).
  2
                                  EXPLANATORY NOTE
  
           This Registration Statement on Form S-8 is filed in order to register
  an additional 1,500,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of
  Renters Choice, Inc. for issuance pursuant to the 1994 Renters Choice, Inc.
  Long-Term Incentive Plan (as amended, the "Plan").  The contents of that
  earlier Registration Statement (Registration No. 33-98800), which registered
  1,500,000 shares (on a post-split basis) for issuance under the Plan was filed
  on October 31, 1995, are hereby incorporated by reference.
  
  ITEM 8.  EXHIBITS
  
  5.1      Opinion of Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C. regarding the validity of
           the securities being registered.*
  
  23.1     Consent of Grant Thornton LLP.*
  
  23.2     Consent of Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C. (included as part of
           Exhibit 5.1).*
  
  24       Power of Attorney (See Page II-1 of this Registration Statement).*
  
  99.1     Amended and Restated 1994 Renters Choice, Inc. Long-Term Incentive
           Plan.*
  
  ---------------------
  
  * Filed herewith.
  3
                                     SIGNATURES
  
           Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
  Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
  all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this
  Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
  duly authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on May 22, 1998.
  
                                          RENTERS CHOICE, INC.
  
                                          By: /s/ J. ERNEST TALLEY
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              J. Ernest Talley
                                              Chairman of the Board and
                                              Chief Executive Officer
  
                                 POWER OF ATTORNEY
  
           KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
  appears below hereby constitutes and appoints J. Ernest Talley and Danny Z.
  Wilbanks, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents,
  with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and on his behalf
  and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and
  all documents relating to this Registration Statement, including any and all
  amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration
  Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits and supplements thereto, and
  other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
  Commission, and hereby grants to such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of
  them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
  requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to
  effectuate the same, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could
  do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact
  and agents or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may
  lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
  
                                        II-1
  4
           Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
  Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
  capacities and on the dates indicated.
  Signature and Title                                     Date
           -------------------                                     ----
  /s/ J. ERNEST TALLEY                                         May 22, 1998
  -------------------------------------------                             
  J. Ernest Talley
  Chairman of the Board and
  Chief Executive Officer (Principal
  Executive Officer)
  
  /s/ MARK E. SPEESE                                           May 22, 1998
  -------------------------------------------                             
  Mark E. Speese
  President, Chief Operating
  Officer and Director
  
  /s/ DANNY Z. WILBANKS                                        May 22, 1998
  -------------------------------------------                             
  Danny Z. Wilbanks
  Senior Vice President of Finance
  and Chief Financial Officer
  (Principal Financial
  and Accounting Officer)
  
  /s/ J. V. LENTELL                                            May 22, 1998
  -------------------------------------------                             
  J. V. Lentell
  Director
  
  /s/ JOSEPH V. MARINER, JR.                                   May 22, 1998
  -------------------------------------------                             
  Joseph V. Mariner, Jr.
  Director
  
  /s/ REX W. THOMPSON                                          May 22, 1998
  -------------------------------------------                             
  Rex W. Thompson
  Director
  II-2
  5
                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS
  Exhibit
  Number   Exhibit
  ------   -------
  5.1      Opinion of Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C. regarding the validity of
           the securities being registered.*
  
  23.1     Consent of Grant Thornton LLP.*
  
  23.2     Consent of Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C. (included as part of
           Exhibit 5.1).*
  
  24       Power of Attorney (See Page II-1 of this Registration Statement).*
  
  99.1     Amended and Restated 1994 Renters Choice, Inc. Long-Term Incentive
           Plan.*
  
  ---------------------
  
  * Filed herewith.