Uncle Buck

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Uncle Buck

PG

Released Aug 16, 1989

1h 40m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

59%

Tomatometer

27 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

When Cindy (Elaine Bromka) and her husband, Bob (Garrett M. Brown), have to leave town for a family emergency, there is only one person available to babysit for their three kids: Bob's lazy, carefree brother, Buck (John Candy). While he immediately gets along with the two younger children (Gaby Hoffman, Macaulay Culkin), Buck must change his bachelor lifestyle if he wants to be a responsible caregiver for the angst-filled teenager, Tia (Jean Louisa Kelly).

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Critics Consensus

Uncle Buck has its ups and downs, but there's undeniable comedic magic that comes from uniting John Hughes, John Candy, and a house full of precocious kids.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Uncle Buck attempts to tell a heart-warming story through a series of uncomfortable and unpleasant scenes; it's a tug-of-war between its ambitions and its methods.

Rated: 1.5/4

Jan 1, 2000

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

The kids are cute and Candy is game, and it’s largely their personalities that allow the film to survive its series of underwhelming set-pieces.

Rated: 2.5/4

Feb 22, 2025

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Uncle Buck accumulates too much bile and the formula falls apart. [Full review in Spanish]

Jul 11, 2022

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Ryan Murphy

Miami Herald

Wickedly underplayed, the role of Uncle Buck allows the adroit comic actor to blend physical comedy with small moments of tender reflection.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 17, 2021

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

...Hughes and Candy may take a sloppy, anything-goes approach here, but it works...

Rated: 3/5

Mar 16, 2021

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

The supposedly sweet domestic comedy hits too many sour notes to remain in tune, even if always competent.

Rated: C+

Apr 27, 2017

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Cristina

Uncle Buck has always been one of my favorite 80s movies!! It was really cool being able to see it on the big screen with my family

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/03/22

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Jace E

Movie #3 of my John Hughes Directorial Marathon I love John Candy. I'm glad that we got so many great films with him in the 80's. RIP. This movie is a lot of fun. There are quite a few loose ends that don't get explained, but that can be forgiven because of the charm. Not only is John Candy fantastic, but the kids do a great job as well, specifically the pre-Home Alone Macaulay Culkin. Best Character: Buck Best Quote: "I don't think I want to know a six-year-old who isn't a dreamer, or a sillyheart. And I sure don't want to know one who takes their student career seriously. I don't have a college degree. I don't even have a job. But I know a good kid when I see one. Because they're ALL good kids, until dried-out, brain-dead skags like you drag them down and convince them they're no good." - Buck Best Scene: Buck Saving Tia

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/09/25

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Stephen C

More like Uncle ****!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $63,900,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/20/25

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Joey G

Such a classic funny movie!!!!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/10/25

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Carrie M

Best childhood movie ever!! My sis and i still quote this movie to this day; and we are in our 40s. Hate that this last and next generation has to suffer from crap movies.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/10/25

Full Review

Jen N

A genius film with John Candy at his charming best

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/17/25

Full Review

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John Hughes

Director

John Candy

Buck Russell

Amy Madigan

Chanice Kobolowski

Jean Louisa Kelly

Tia Russell

Gaby Hoffmann

Maizy Russell

Macaulay Culkin

Miles Russell

Uncle Buck: Official Clip - So Much For Promises

2:26

Uncle Buck: Official Clip - Moley Russel's Wart

2:55

Uncle Buck: Official Clip - Would Ya Like to See My Hatchet?

2:51

Uncle Buck: Official Clip - Happy Birthday, Miles

2:35

Uncle Buck: Official Clip - His Name is Bug

1:55

Uncle Buck: Official Clip - Battle of Wills

1:01

Uncle Buck: Official Clip - Squashing a Bug

1:08

Uncle Buck: Official Clip - Here Comes Buck

2:59

Uncle Buck: Official Clip - I'm Your Uncle Buck

1:59

Uncle Buck: Official Clip - The Buck-mobile

2:16

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Synopsis

When Cindy (Elaine Bromka) and her husband, Bob (Garrett M. Brown), have to leave town for a family emergency, there is only one person available to babysit for their three kids: Bob's lazy, carefree brother, Buck (John Candy). While he immediately gets along with the two younger children (Gaby Hoffman, Macaulay Culkin), Buck must change his bachelor lifestyle if he wants to be a responsible caregiver for the angst-filled teenager, Tia (Jean Louisa Kelly).

Director: John Hughes
Producer: John Hughes, Tom Jacobson
Screenwriter: John Hughes
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures, Hughes Entertainment
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 16, 1989, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 2, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $63.9M
Runtime: 1h 40m
Sound Mix: Surround

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