Uncle Buck

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Uncle Buck

PG

Released Aug 16, 1989

1h 40m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

59%

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27 Reviews

77%

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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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Jen N

A genius film with John Candy at his charming best

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/17/25

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David D

Uncle Buck is a good heartwarming story if your looking for something that tries just the right amount of comic potential

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/08/25

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Zy S

This movie was a masterpiece. John Candy made the movie very humorous and immersive. Jean Louisa did a great job. It's a very difficult role to nail, a defiant teenager that reforms into a likeable and agreeable one, and the directors laid out perfect writing for her and she executed it well. Macaulay could have had a little more screentime but did his role supporting this great film. The film wanted to focus more on the problematic teenager instead (Jean's character), and I actually appreciate that. Gabby's character had a small story within the role but was highlighted excellently by Candy and the screenwriting by having Uncle Buck stand up for her against an abusive principal. I support Candy's defense of Gaby's character because there's a difference between trying to correct a young child's behavior versus just calling them a "bad egg". The principal was justified in saying Maizy wasn't taking her schooling seriously even if she was only 6 at the time, but it was very wrong to say she was a "bad" student, as it's much easier to rectify defiance in children than adolescents and especially adults. Very good use off both Candy and Gaby's characters. Good cohesion within the movie and very family friendly. Great to watch during the holidays.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/01/25

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Gina P

Love this movie! John Candy was a comedic treasure. I watch this movie almost every time I find it on TV. It's funny, cute and just makes me smile. Laurie Metcalf is hysterical.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/21/24

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Shaun R

This film has a thin plot, moments of awkward timing and some random scenes but overall, it’s a decent family film and John Candy seems to be enjoying the role.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/18/24

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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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