The 'Burbs

Play trailer

The 'Burbs

PG

1989

1h 43m

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

56%

Tomatometer

43 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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Kim Newman

Empire Magazine

03/26/2019

4/5

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

Go to Full Review

Kevin Thomas

Los Angeles Times

03/26/2019

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

Go to Full Review

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

09/12/2017

B

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

Go to Full Review

David Day

Horror Movie Talk

Sep 23

9/10

Dope AF

Go to Full Review

Joshua Mooney

Movieline

Sep 16

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."

Go to Full Review

Mitchell Beaupre

Paste Magazine

02/17/2024

8.5/10

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!”

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Zach B

@ZachBasham67 Dec 7

Laugh out loud funny

See more

Farah R.

@Farah Dec 5

I wish I’d grown up with this movie because its flaws would’ve been endearing rather than annoying. The’Burbs is a fun dark comedy with enough good moments to keep you watching but not enough to return for a rewatch.

See more

Creek

@Mister_BigBlock Nov 25

This movie is iconic.

See more

Liam D

@Mediawatcher2003 Oct 21

Possibly Joe Dante’s most underrated film. This is a pretty fun dark comedy that does go off the deep end by the end but it has an terrific ensemble cast including Tom Hanks at his most wackiest and craziest

See more

W1LL _ Z

Oct 17

One of the best 80s comedies, the score should be 90% easily

See more

Trey W

@Treys Oct 15

One of the best all-around movies of the past 50 years. As comedy horror that wonder excitement. Perfect casting. They don’t make movies like this anymore. Please check it out

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

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

View more videos

Cop and a Half

14%

34%

Cop and a Half

Watchlist

Problem Child

0%

43%

Problem Child

Watchlist

Sgt. Bilko

31%

47%

Sgt. Bilko

Watchlist

The Great Outdoors

42%

71%

The Great Outdoors

Watchlist

Uncle Buck

61%

77%

Uncle Buck

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Match the Tom Hanks Movie Review Quotes!

Why Joe Dante’s The ‘Burbs Is As Relevant Today As It Was In 1989

View more photos

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

Most Popular at Home Now