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John Candy, Amy Madigan, Jean Louisa Kelly, Gaby Hoffmann, Macaulay Culkin ... see more see more... , Elaine Bromka , Laurie Metcalf , Jay Underwood , Patricia Arquette , Jack Blessing , Anna Chlumsky , Dennis Cockrum , Matt Craven , Leigh French , Devon Odessa , Julie Payne , Ron Payne , Suzanne Shepherd , Zak Spector , Mike Starr , Brian Tarantina , William Windom , Garrett M. Brown , Colin Baumgartner , Wayne Kneeland , Gigi Casler , Gina Doctor , Laura Jacoby , Rachel Thompson Perrine , Jerry E. Postt , Joel Robinson , Doug VanNeesen , Jane Vickerilla , Eric Whiple , Arnold Turner , Mark Rosenthal

In this cheerful, lightweight comedy, excruciatingly clumsy, disorganized, and messy Uncle Buck Russell (John Candy) becomes the screens most unlikely babysitter since Clifton Webb in Sitting Pretty. ... read more read more...While their parents are away, eight-year old Miles (Macaulay Culkin), six-year old Maizy (Gaby Hoffman) and their teen-aged sister, Tia (Jean Kelly) are left in the care of Buck. Surprisingly, the very inept Uncle Buck entertains the younger children who come to love him and earns the respect of Tia when he rescues her from her worthless boyfriend. However, in doing so, Buck nearly loses his long-time girlfriend Chanice (Amy Madigan). John Candy is delightful in the leading role giving a touching and notable comic performance. Directed by John Hughes in his typical broad style, this youth-oriented comedy is perhaps the best role of John Candy's regrettably brief career. ~ Linda Rasmussen, Rovi

Flixster Users

72% liked it

181,677 ratings

Critics

62% liked it

21 critics

PG, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed by: John Hughes

Release Date: August 16, 1989

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DVD Release Date: June 30, 1998

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Stats: 6,640 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (6,640)

  • Tomassgringo
    January 21, 2012
    Tomassgringo
    Everyone loves Uncle Buck!! ;-)
  • DreamExtractor
    August 28, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    Uncle Buck is a very funny movie, and I love John Candy, but sadly the movie was very boring.
  • phubbs1
    August 13, 2011
    phubbs1
    Probably one of John Hughes most loveable comedies with a beautiful performance from Candy as 'Buck' in your typical Hughes teen angst cum family fun flick that must please all.

    The whole film is so Hughes with the lovely suburban setting, big dream house, bratty teens, innocent... read more kids with lots of prat falls and silly childish gags that are predictable yet simply fun. The plot is simple enough as the slobbish Candy must look after his brothers kids for afew days, this of course equals much tomfoolery and bumbling from Candy as he adapts to his new posher surroundings and tries to befriend the kids.

    Candy's character is alittle similar to his character from 'Planes Trains and Automobiles' to be honest but Candy as we know does it so well, Hughes doesn't mess around and simply gets the best from Candy, the best that he knows will be liked. Macaulay Culkin present here in a pre 'Home Alone' performance that clearly got him that famous role as again his character is pretty similar in both films but he does fit these 80's films so well I gotta admit.

    Its all very predictable yes but Hughes just had this skill in making golden teen flicks and family films that just worked perfectly even though they were abit samey, a case of everything coming together at the right time for that one time in history which can never be repeated, Candy was the ultimate family comedy character.
  • romy861
    July 18, 2011
    romy861
    Though technically only probably a 4 star movie, this gets the full 5 stars from me because it is a nostalgic classic which I watched many, many times on tv in my teens.
    For the two people left who haven't seen this, it is a sweet story about screw-up Buck, (John Candy in my favo... read moreurite role for him), who goes to his well off brothers' house to babysit his nieces and nephew when his sister in law's father is taken ill. There is stroppy little madam, Tia, (Jean Kelly) and younger kids Miles and Maisey,(Macauley Culkin and Gabby Hoffman). Buck wins them over in his own unique way. Kind of predictable, but a nice little family comedy, similar in style to Home Alone, but I think my fabourite of the two.
    I always get a smile out of Tia and Bug, although the older I get, the more horrible I think she is! Laurie Metcalf is also in this, and funny as usual.
  • ajv2688
    March 30, 2011
    ajv2688
    A cute film from Hughes, but not as good as his previous work. It's not bad, it's just not good either.
  • FrizzDrop
    January 10, 2011
    FrizzDrop
    John Hughes has a certain love for big, boisterous, Chicago families and before there was Home Alone there was Uncle Buck. Saddled with three foul mouthed and morally non-absorbant kids Buck has to fend off the advances of a neighbor, keep his niece's virginity, and not let down ... read morethe people that truly love him the most. It's family fair for the wretch in all of us. Plus, Macauley Culkin swears in a pipsqueak voice. If that doesn't sell it, I don't know what will.
  • TheGame90
    December 5, 2010
    TheGame90
    A good movie if you watch it in the middle of the night (not prime time material)
  • SirPant
    April 15, 2010
    SirPant
    I'm one of the few people that didn't catch this first time round it seems so I don't harbour any fond memories and let them effect my judgement. I do however, love John Candy and really miss him so it was great to see him in a role I hadn't before. I guess I just didn't get it,... read more it's a film about a nice guy, who does a nice favour but everyone dislikes him. It's not as well executed as some of Hughes's other films. It's a bit dated too, it has that 80's charm but it's not one of the classics. I did like the bit where the clown got punched though!
  • fb733768972
    January 14, 2010
    fb733768972
    I really miss john candy! This is one of his best films!
  • ythelastman89
    December 16, 2009
    ythelastman89
    An amazing comedy that's impossible to hate. John Candy embodies the most lovable characters with all sorts of crazy elements. He makes what might have been a mediocre film and takes it to the next level. The plot actually is one of the more well conceived John Hughes ideas.

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Critic Reviews

Bill Chambers
March 20, 2012
Bill Chambers, Film Freak Central

It's not John Hughes's best film, but it could be his funniest, as well as his saddest. Full Review

Tim Brayton
November 6, 2011
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

There isn't much to love about the movie besides Candy's excellent performance. Full Review

David Nusair
February 7, 2011
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

...an agreeable comedy that benefits substantially from Hughes' undeniable gift for seamlessly blending laughs with drama. Full Review

Charles Cassady
December 15, 2010
Charles Cassady, Common Sense Media

The Candy man can make this iffy movie taste good. Full Review

Brian Orndorf
August 26, 2009
Brian Orndorf, BrianOrndorf.com

It's a goofy movie, but also extraordinarily sly, unafraid to permit generous screentime to bizarre jokes and situations of slack guardian supervision. Full Review

Widgett Walls
July 20, 2004
Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com

Probably Candy's finest role.

Ken Hanke
February 12, 2003
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

John Candy, John Hughes, precocious kids. Deadly.

Shannon J. Harvey
February 10, 2003
Shannon J. Harvey, Sunday Times (Australia)

Very cute comedy starring the late great John Candy at his most huggable best.

Phil Villarreal
August 2, 2002
Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star

Candy in his heyday, but some jokes are dated.

Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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    • Uncle Buck Russell: Get in your mouse, and get out of here.
    • Uncle Buck Russell: You should see the toast. I couldn't even get it through the door.
    • Tia Russell: Hey, Mom. Next time you take off in the middle of the night, why don't you hire a murderer to watch the house?
    • Uncle Buck Russell: Oh boy, those kids. I haven't seen those kids in a while. Tia's gotta be nine. Nine, maybe ten. Oh boy. And the two new ones. They're uh... Larry and... uh... Larry and, uh... Uh... Betsy. Betsy, uh... Jennifer. Jennifer. Larry and Jennifer. Oh boy.
    • Uncle Buck Russell: [into the phone] Hey, Bobby we should really get together sometime. I haven't been over at the new house since you moved. By the way, I want to apologize for last year at your old house... about those bushes. I had no idea they all would catch on fire like that. You were right. I should never have put the barbeque grill that close.
    • Uncle Buck Russell: Heres a quarter buy a rat chew that thing off your face!
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Uncle Buck Trivia

  • In what movie did an Uncle say ," I'll take you to school in my robe and PJ's and walk you to your first class"?  Answer »
  • "He's rude. He's crass. He's family." A John Candy film.  Answer »
  • Which actor played unlcle Buck in the film uncle buck?  Answer »
  • Which movie does John Candy play a crazy Uncle?  Answer »
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