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Uncle Buck

Play trailer Poster for Uncle Buck PG Released Aug 16, 1989 1h 40m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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62% Tomatometer 26 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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Uncle Buck

Uncle Buck

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) Uncle Buck accumulates too much bile and the formula falls apart. [Full review in Spanish] Jul 11, 2022 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Felix Vasquez Jr. Cinema Crazed One of the many excellent family films from director and writer John Hughes... Dec 23, 2012 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review Erik B A classic John Hughes film, and one of John Candy's most memorable performances. Kudos as well to a very young Macaulay Culkin as Miles - he steals every scene he's in and holds his own with a veteran like Candy. I will admit to some melodramatic cheese, but I excuse it due to the greatness of the other parts. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/10/24 Full Review Megan Y Hey man this movie is actually pretty good!!! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/16/24 Full Review Jones J John Hughes attempts to convince us that he loved to do hard cocaine while writing his scripts through the existence of Uncle Buck. Its quite a strange film with awkward timing, perplexing montages and gags, and above all, just a weird plot. However, this film would be condemned and awful from start to finish if it weren't for Mr. John Candy. Candy will make you smile with every line's delivery and facial expression he has to offer. His undeniable and wonderful charm is dialed to the max in this off-putting 80s comedy. Overall, a dumb movie with one of the most charismatic lead-performances in any Hughes comedy you may see. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 09/13/24 Full Review Steven Y The late, great John Candy is just golden in this iconic film. It might not be his finest film, as it's tonally all over the place, but it's still a genuine gem. Especially rewatching this as an adult and a parent, there's such warmth to seeing the protective qualities of Buck, contrasted by his chaotic way of life. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/09/24 Full Review Yash B "Uncle Buck" is not perfect, but it is a funny and sweet John Hughes film made near the end of the 1980s. I think the movie has some decent laughs and some good and simple lessons. I don't think it tries to reinvent the wheel and some of the humor doesn't work for me, but it's an entertaining movie. A lot of this is because of John Candy's performance and this movie is just one of many that reminds the world what a gift he was for this generation of cinema. Overall, it is a movie that may have conflicting tones and iffy humor choices, but for the most part, I enjoyed it and it left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling that only a classic John Hughes film can create. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/06/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Uncle Buck

Uncle Buck: Official Clip - So Much For Promises Uncle Buck: Official Clip - So Much For Promises 2:26 Uncle Buck: Official Clip - Moley Russel's Wart Uncle Buck: Official Clip - Moley Russel's Wart 2:55 Uncle Buck: Official Clip - Would Ya Like to See My Hatchet? Uncle Buck: Official Clip - Would Ya Like to See My Hatchet? 2:51 Uncle Buck: Official Clip - Happy Birthday, Miles Uncle Buck: Official Clip - Happy Birthday, Miles 2:35 Uncle Buck: Official Clip - His Name is Bug Uncle Buck: Official Clip - His Name is Bug 1:55 Uncle Buck: Official Clip - Battle of Wills Uncle Buck: Official Clip - Battle of Wills 1:01 Uncle Buck: Official Clip - Squashing a Bug Uncle Buck: Official Clip - Squashing a Bug 1:08 Uncle Buck: Official Clip - Here Comes Buck Uncle Buck: Official Clip - Here Comes Buck 2:59 Uncle Buck: Official Clip - I'm Your Uncle Buck Uncle Buck: Official Clip - I'm Your Uncle Buck 1:59 Uncle Buck: Official Clip - The Buck-mobile Uncle Buck: Official Clip - The Buck-mobile 2:16 View more videos

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Uncle Buck

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Movie Info

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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