Uncle Buck

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Uncle Buck

PG

1989

1h 40m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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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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

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.

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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...

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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.

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

07/11/2022

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

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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.

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

03/16/2021

3/5

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

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Nicholas

Aug 28

Hilarious and funny!

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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

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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.

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Jason R

@J-Rush1411 Jun 25

A classic, John Candy at his best, him and John Hughes are missed massively these days

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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

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Bret M.

@BretM-3 Apr 4

This is the type of classic movie that leaves you with a good feeling when it goes off. It’s a comedy and a coming of age story that has stood the test of time. John Hughes is a great director and this is up there with all of his other movies I’ve seen. And (of course) John Candy is hilarious in this movie!! He has perfect comedic timing and tells the jokes so well! It’s also a coming of age story just as much as a comedy. If you look at where Buck and Tia are at the beginning of the movie vs. the end of the movie, they have grown as people. Overall, this is a classic film that is great to just turn on when you need something to watch.

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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