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Uncle Buck

Play trailer Poster for Uncle Buck PG 1989 1h 40m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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61% Tomatometer 28 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 01/01/2000
1.5/4
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. Go to Full Review
Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Oct 9
3.5/5
Candy was really just beginning to come into his prime as an actor when the film was released... Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 02/22/2025
2.5/4
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. Go to Full Review
Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) 07/11/2022
Uncle Buck accumulates too much bile and the formula falls apart. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
Ryan Murphy Miami Herald 08/17/2021
2.5/4
Wickedly underplayed, the role of Uncle Buck allows the adroit comic actor to blend physical comedy with small moments of tender reflection. Go to Full Review
Eddie Harrison film-authority.com 03/16/2021
3/5
...Hughes and Candy may take a sloppy, anything-goes approach here, but it works... Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Nicholas Aug 28 Hilarious and funny! See more Cristina 08/03/2022 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 See more Chris S @Janomi 1d Uncle Buck is a really solid comedy because John Candy gives the movie so much heart. Buck could have been just a sloppy, irresponsible man-child, but Candy makes him funny, warm, insecure, unpredictable, and genuinely loving. He has enough edge to feel chaotic, but enough kindness that you understand why the kids eventually respond to him. The movie is more than a string of jokes. Under the smoking, gambling, messy apartment, giant pancakes, and ridiculous parenting choices, there is a sincere story about a man who has been underestimated, finally stepping up when his family needs him. Buck’s dynamic with Tia gives the film its strongest emotional conflict. She sees him as an embarrassment, while he sees through her anger and bad choices. The resolution comes together quickly, but Uncle Buck has that classic John Hughes mix of suburban chaos, broad comedy, and real emotional payoff. See more Melissa M @Lisey Jun 30 Uncle Buck is a movie with heart. John Candy is a comic genius. Macaulay culkin as Miles in Uncle Buck was his first film role. Fun fact John Candy ad-libbed the scene where he asked Cindy if she has a toilet plunger. Laurie Metcalf who played Marcie The eccentric neighbor was a little nervous because she had limited film experience. But she felt at ease while working with John candy. Because candy was good at improv & he proved to be very supportive while filming their scenes together. Another fun fact in the scene where Miles is imagining the burglars while he's waiting for the babysitter inspired the later hit movie Home Alone. John Hughes made a lot of fun family friendly movies. Films that the whole family could enjoy. Movies that will be enjoyed for generations to come. See more Jason R @J-Rush1411 Jun 25 A classic, John Candy at his best, him and John Hughes are missed massively these days See more Justin T. @RT29681041 Jun 7 A Comedy Classic From The 80's Very Funny Movie I Recommend To Anyone Looking For A Comedy Classic With John Candy And Alot Of Other Great Actors And Actresses See more Read all reviews
Uncle Buck

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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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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