The 'Burbs

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The 'Burbs

PG

Released Feb 17, 1989

1h 43m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

55%

Tomatometer

42 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Settling in for some time off in his suburban home, Ray Peterson's (Tom Hanks) vacation becomes a horror when the Klopeks, a suspiciously odd family, move in down the block. Enlisting the aid of his paranoid buddy, Art (Rick Ducommun), and his militia-man neighbor, Rumsfield (Bruce Dern), Ray sends his son and wife (Carrie Fisher) away on a trip while he investigates the Klopeks. When a neighbor disappears, Ray and his cohorts risk their lives to save their cul-de-sac from the clutches of evil.

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Critics Consensus

The 'Burbs has an engaging premise, likable cast, and Joe Dante at the helm -- so the mixed-up genre exercise they produce can't help but feel like a disappointment.

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Kim Newman

Empire Magazine

It fumbles at the last moment... but this is still mainly a pleasantly nasty delight that was strangely overlooked in the cinema.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 26, 2019

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Kevin Thomas

Los Angeles Times

It's inconceivable that "The 'burbs looked good on paper.

Mar 26, 2019

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Also starring Carrie Fisher, 'Burbs is a hilarious look at suburban mischief pre-Desperate Housewives. Check it out.

Rated: B

Sep 12, 2017

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Joshua Mooney

Movieline

Tom Hanks, masterful comic actor that he is, is capable of appearing in some pretty mediocre films as he shows us yet again with "The 'Burbs."

Sep 16, 2025

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Mitchell Beaupre

Paste Magazine

That sense of frivolity helps you tuck yourselves into bed at night in your safe home, trusting in the knowledge that Tom Hanks saved the neighborhood. But The ‘Burbs also contains the lingering reminder of Ray’s words: “It’s not them, it’s us!”

Rated: 8.5/10

Feb 17, 2024

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Noah Gittell

Washington City Paper

In between set pieces, The ’Burbs thrives on a dynamic conflict between genres, ideas, and eras.

Nov 10, 2023

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Cork B

Burbs is so so. It feels conflicted like it wants to be a John Hughes comedy, a commentary, and a thriller all at the same time, and I don't think any of these work entirely. Cast is decent, and there are lots of well knows here. Hanks, while not stellar, never really turns in a bad performance. The ending seems tacked on, like they didn't really know how to end it.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/09/25

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Jonathan O

The 'Burbs is really hilarious late 80's and is the best Universal Backlot to filmed and it still there except color changes from Desperate Housewives seasons.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/31/25

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Landon J

It was ok, pretty forgettable. The climax and ending pretty much killed it. Whatever they were trying to say about suburbia was juxtaposed by the conclusion I think. Either way, you likely won't find this very special.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/24/25

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Cine F

Over the top, goofy fun! Tom Hanks, Rick Ducommun, Bruce Dern and Corey Feldman rock as a qaurtet of somewhat one-dimensional characters that they make their own. This movie will always leave you with a smile on your face, and that makes it a succesful comedy.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/15/25

Full Review

Mel W.

My favorite movie of all time! Yeah I said it. Just the overall feel and so many classic lines I still quote today. Great actors and a near perfect script! Would love to see a sequel. Well I wrote an idea many years ago, The Klopecks. Tom Hanks, you reading this?😀

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/13/25

Full Review

Jonathan S.

This movie is a cult classic. Tom Hanks and Corey Feldman.This movie has it all. An amazing piece of American film. This movie gives exactly what it intends. The laughs and the discoveries are never ending. So many great quotes from this movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/06/25

Full Review

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Joe Dante

Director

Tom Hanks

Ray Peterson

Bruce Dern

Lt. Mark Rumsfield

Carrie Fisher

Carol Peterson

Rick Ducommun

Art Weingartner

Corey Feldman

Ricky Butler

The 'Burbs: Official Clip - Bees and Bad Karma

2:59

The 'Burbs: Official Clip - The Femur

2:30

The 'Burbs: Official Clip - Do Not Mess With Suburbanites

2:26

The 'Burbs: Official Clip - Ambulance Encounter

2:07

The 'Burbs: Official Clip - Ray's Nightmare

3:19

The 'Burbs: Official Clip - We're the Lunatics!

2:26

The 'Burbs: Official Clip - I'm Going Over the Fence

2:52

The 'Burbs: Official Clip - Satan Is Our Pal

2:18

The 'Burbs: Official Clip - What Is It?

2:01

The 'Burbs: Official Clip - Neighbor Take Warning

1:54

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Synopsis

Settling in for some time off in his suburban home, Ray Peterson's (Tom Hanks) vacation becomes a horror when the Klopeks, a suspiciously odd family, move in down the block. Enlisting the aid of his paranoid buddy, Art (Rick Ducommun), and his militia-man neighbor, Rumsfield (Bruce Dern), Ray sends his son and wife (Carrie Fisher) away on a trip while he investigates the Klopeks. When a neighbor disappears, Ray and his cohorts risk their lives to save their cul-de-sac from the clutches of evil.

Director: Joe Dante
Producer: Larry Brezner, Michael Finnell
Screenwriter: Dana Olsen
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Imagine Entertainment
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 17, 1989, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $34.1M
Runtime: 1h 43m
Sound Mix: Surround

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