Uncle Buck

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Uncle Buck

PG

Released Aug 16, 1989

1h 40m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

62%

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26 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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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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Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

One of the many excellent family films from director and writer John Hughes...

Dec 23, 2012

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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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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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Mark F

The critics have it wrong. Uncle Buck is a masterpiece and very appropriate for today’s world. Great dialogue and a great story.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/29/24

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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

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Megan Y

Hey man this movie is actually pretty good!!!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/16/24

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

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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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