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The 'Burbs

1989·Movie
1h 42min·PG
60
DecentGoodWatch score
IMDb6.8Metacritic457.3Rotten Tomatoes57%71%
IMDb6.8Metacritic457.3Rotten Tomatoes57%71%

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The 'Burbs fingerprint

Funny, immersive world.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Tension6
  • Fast Pace6
  • Spectacle5

Heart

Nostalgic and cathartic

  • Nostalgia8
  • Catharsis7
  • Wholesome6

Humor

Plenty of situational comedy and satire

  • Situational Comedy8
  • Satire & Parody8
  • Physical Comedy7

World

Mystery, everyday modern life, and the mind

Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.

  • Rewatchability9
  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality7

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and storytelling

  • Direction8
  • Acting8
  • Narrative Structure8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFamily Movie NightFriends NightParty VibeIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchComfort WatchPure EscapismThought-Provoking

Find more like it

Suspense moviesFunny moviesNostalgic moviesAtmospheric movies

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

He's a man of peace in a savage land... Suburbia.

When secretive new neighbors move in next door, suburbanite Ray Peterson and his friends let their paranoia get the best of them as they start to suspect the newcomers of evildoings and commence an investigation. But it's hardly how Ray, who much prefers drinking beer, reading his newspaper and watching a ball game on the tube expected to spend his vacation.
Suburban SatireDark ComedyNeighborly SuspenseParanoia-Driven PlotCult ClassicQuirky CharactersMystery Elements80s NostalgiaTongue-in-Cheek Humor

Crew

Directed by:
Joe Dante, David D'Ovidio, Carla McCloskey
Written by:
Dana Olsen
Produced by:
Ron Howard, Dana Olsen, Michael Finnell
Composed by:
Randall L. Johnson, Michael Minkler, Ron Bartlett

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The 'Burbs

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The 'Burbs legally?

Tubi TV

You can watch it free with ads on YouTube Free and Tubi TV. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The 'Burbs worth watching?

60
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 60/100 (IMDb 6.8, Rotten Tomatoes 57%, and Metacritic 45). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The 'Burbs rated?

PGStrong language

It's rated PG in the United States. Content advisories: strong language.

How long is The 'Burbs?

1 h 42 min

The 'Burbs runs 1 h 42 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The 'Burbs?

Critics51
Audiences71

Not quite. Audiences rate The 'Burbs higher (71) than critics (51). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

Was The 'Burbs a box office hit?

Budget$18 million
Box office$49 million

Yes. It cost about $18 million to make and earned $49 million worldwide, 2.7 times its budget.

What language is The 'Burbs in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The 'Burbs?

72ADAEALARATAUBABEBGBOBRBYBZCA+58

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The 'Burbs in 72 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The 'Burbs use?

Made of IronNumber of the BeastKarma HoudiniSatanic PanicBadass BoastNever My FaultThe Alleged HouseBait-and-SwitchLogo JokeHeel RealizationRunning GagAccidental Truthand 56 more

TV Tropes lists 68 storytelling tropes for The 'Burbs, including Made of Iron, Number of the Beast, Karma Houdini.