Uncle Buck | Rotten Tomatoes

Uncle Buck

PG

Now Playing

1h 40m

Comedy

List

62%

Tomatometer

26 Reviews

77%

Audience Score

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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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

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

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

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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

DennisFeinsteinCEO

Easily one of my all-time favorites, a true classic 💜

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/07/24

Full Review

Katya V

Overall, it's a lovely film that grows on you like Uncle Buck himself. Macaulay Culkin on the brink of Home Alone is entirely adorable and a star in the making, for sure. And little Gabby Hoffman is similarly adorable. However, the sullen teenage daughter was getting on my nerves the entire movie. Maybe I missed the part where it was clear why she was so mean and mad at everyone? Just because they had to move to a different city? But she's already found a boyfriend, so how bad can it be? And in contrast with the other child actors, this one just wasn't good... But apart from that, the movie is still worth a watch, especially if you're feeling down or lonely.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/17/24

Full Review

Ian C

Too unfunny,sentimental and just silly to be appealing.Uncle Buck is too irresponsible to like completely,so the formula just doesnt properly work.John Candy tries to save this fil,but its too weak to save,in my opinion..

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/25/24

Full Review

IAN c B

love the story line love the humour great movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/12/24

Full Review

Mary V

I've loved this movie since I first saw it when I came out. It's one of John Candy‘s many hilarious films. I don't know why its ratings aren't that high here because I don't know anybody that doesn't love uncle Buck. The writing is good and the acting is good and it's just so ridiculously funny. It is kind of 80s dated but who cares. Love the Goofy 80s fashions and weird hair. every time I watch it I still laugh my butt off. I miss John Candy…

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/13/23

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

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

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
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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