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Trailer

Uncle Buck

1989Movie1 h 40 minPG

ComedyDrama
64
DecentGoodWatch score
IMDb7.1Letterboxd3.5/5Metacritic517.6Rotten Tomatoes61%77%

A hopeful, wholesome comedy movie about everyday modern life and family, with standout performances and characters.

Good for date night · family movie night · friends night

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for scares, brutality or big ideas.

Movies with

Story

He's crude. He's crass. He's family.

Buck Russell, a lovable but slovenly bachelor, suddenly becomes the temporary caretaker of his nephew and nieces after a family emergency. His freewheeling attitude soon causes tension with his older niece Tia, loyal girlfriend Chanice, and just about everyone else who crosses his path.

Feels like

  • Classic Family Comedy
  • Heartwarming & Humorous
  • Lovable Underdog
  • John Candy Icon
  • Coming-of-Age for Kids
  • 80s Nostalgia
  • Relatable Family Chaos
  • Humorous Situations
  • Feel-Good Entertainer

Cast

23 of 23

Crew

Directed by
John Hughes
Written by
John Hughes
Produced by
John Hughes, Tom Jacobson
Music by
Ira Newborn

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

August 16, 1989 · 1 h 40 min · PG

Released
August 16, 1989
Runtime
1 h 40 min
Age rating
PG
Content
Strong Language
Genres
Comedy, Drama, Family
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Budget
$15 million
Box office
$79 million
Available in
77 countries

Tropes

Door Handle Scare, "Not So Different" Remark, Mr. Vice Guy +9

  • Door Handle Scare
  • "Not So Different" Remark
  • Mr. Vice Guy
  • Malicious Slander
  • Ooh, Me Accent's Slipping
  • Sad Clown
  • Overly Long Gag
  • Emotionless Girl
  • Freudian Slippery Slope
  • Amusing Injuries
  • Toilet-Drinking Dog Gag
  • Bookends

12 of 96 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream Uncle Buck?"

Questions about Uncle Buck

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Uncle Buck?

NetflixYouTube TV

In the United States, Uncle Buck streams on Netflix and YouTube TV. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 7 other countries.

Is Uncle Buck worth watching?

64
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 64 (IMDb 7.1, Letterboxd 3.5 out of 5, Rotten Tomatoes 61%, and Metacritic 51). Audiences rate it higher (74 out of 100) than critics (56).

Is Uncle Buck okay for kids?

PGStrong language

Yes: it's rated PG in the United States for strong language, and the viewing guide lists it for kids.

Will Uncle Buck make me laugh?

Very funny

Yes, a lot: the humor is mostly situational comedy (10 of 10) and slapstick (8 of 10).

Can I half-watch Uncle Buck?

Easy watchDemanding

Yes: it's easy to follow, with complexity at only 3 of 10, and the viewing guide calls it good for background watching.

Was Uncle Buck a box office hit?

Budget$15 million
Box office$79 million

Yes, a big one: it cost about $15 million to make and earned $79 million worldwide, 5.3 times its budget.

What tropes does Uncle Buck use?

Door Handle Scare"Not So Different" RemarkMr. Vice GuyMalicious SlanderOoh, Me Accent's SlippingSad ClownOverly Long GagEmotionless GirlFreudian Slippery SlopeAmusing InjuriesToilet-Drinking Dog GagBookendsand 84 more

TV Tropes lists 96 tropes for it, including Door Handle Scare, "Not So Different" Remark, and Mr. Vice Guy.