The 'Burbs

Play trailer

The 'Burbs

PG

1989

1h 42m

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

58%

Tomatometer

45 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Settling in for some time off in his suburban home, Ray Peterson's (Tom Hanks) vacation becomes a horror when the Klopeks, a suspiciously odd family, move in down the block. Enlisting the aid of his paranoid buddy, Art (Rick Ducommun), and his militia-man neighbor, Rumsfield (Bruce Dern), Ray sends his son and wife (Carrie Fisher) away on a trip while he investigates the Klopeks. When a neighbor disappears, Ray and his cohorts risk their lives to save their cul-de-sac from the clutches of evil.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

The 'Burbs has an engaging premise, likable cast, and Joe Dante at the helm -- so the mixed-up genre exercise they produce can't help but feel like a disappointment.

Read Critics Reviews

Kim Newman

Empire Magazine

03/26/2019

4/5

It fumbles at the last moment... but this is still mainly a pleasantly nasty delight that was strangely overlooked in the cinema.

Go to Full Review

Kevin Thomas

Los Angeles Times

03/26/2019

It's inconceivable that "The 'burbs looked good on paper.

Go to Full Review

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

09/12/2017

B

Also starring Carrie Fisher, 'Burbs is a hilarious look at suburban mischief pre-Desperate Housewives. Check it out.

Go to Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

1d

3/5

‘…long-winded satire that intrigues but doesn’t quite satisfy…’

Go to Full Review

Jim Emerson

Orange County Register

1d

There's a playful, anything-goes quality to "The 'Burbs."

Go to Full Review

David Day

Horror Movie Talk

Sep 23

9/10

Dope AF

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Rich G

@Richygreens 1d

A poor attempt for black empowerment , calling the man racist simply bc he is white and keke is black when she trespassed twice is worse than delusional and feels forced. Having it re brought up by the husband as well to emphasize said neighbor as racist when it doesn't exist isn't a good look for the show, keep it to the spooky mysterious and leave race out of it.

See more

Jeepers C

@RT12312147 6d

This is one of my favorite comedies. It has a creepy undertone, but mixes it with comedy well. What a fun movie.

See more

Denis L.

@Viriato Mar 2

Fun watch. Still holds up relatively well.

See more

Bill H.

@billy1980 Feb 28

very fun movie !!!!!

See more

Matt L

@Mattliptak Feb 27

A real misfire that nostalgia just can’t rescue. The ’Burbs tries to lean on quirky 80s humor and suburban satire, but it ends up feeling like a mess of half-baked ideas that never come together. Even a solid cast can’t save it. Tom Hanks, who usually elevates anything he’s in, looks stuck in a role that never fully lands—more irritating than funny. The film swings between dark comedy, slapstick, and outright silliness, but never commits to any of it, leaving the tone all over the place. Bruce Dern brings some energy, Corey Feldman is fine in a limited role, and Carrie Fisher does what she can, but none of it matters when the script feels this scattered and unfunny. For me, this sits right alongside Joe Versus the Volcano as one of Hanks’ weakest efforts. There’s a cult following for this one, but it’s hard to see why. What should have been a sharp, clever take on suburban paranoia turns into a loud, chaotic, and ultimately forgettable dud.

See more

Jon G

@majorj0nny Feb 25

for me, this has become a classic. the story is rather basic sure, but the main part of this is the characters . well written characters and dialog. overall really captures life in a suburban neighbourhood with all the different characters that you get having to come together.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Joe Dante

Director

Tom Hanks

Ray Peterson

Bruce Dern

Lt. Mark Rumsfield

Carrie Fisher

Carol Peterson

Rick Ducommun

Art Weingartner

Corey Feldman

Ricky Butler

The 'Burbs: Official Clip - Bees and Bad Karma

2:59

The 'Burbs: Official Clip - The Femur

2:30

The 'Burbs: Official Clip - Do Not Mess With Suburbanites

2:26

The 'Burbs: Official Clip - Ambulance Encounter

2:07

The 'Burbs: Official Clip - Ray's Nightmare

3:19

The 'Burbs: Official Clip - We're the Lunatics!

2:26

The 'Burbs: Official Clip - I'm Going Over the Fence

2:52

The 'Burbs: Official Clip - Satan Is Our Pal

2:18

The 'Burbs: Official Clip - What Is It?

2:01

The 'Burbs: Official Clip - Neighbor Take Warning

1:54

View more videos

Cop and a Half

14%

35%

Cop and a Half

Watchlist

Problem Child

0%

43%

Problem Child

Watchlist

Sgt. Bilko

31%

47%

Sgt. Bilko

Watchlist

The Great Outdoors

42%

71%

The Great Outdoors

Watchlist

Uncle Buck

61%

77%

Uncle Buck

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Match the Tom Hanks Movie Review Quotes!

Why Joe Dante’s The ‘Burbs Is As Relevant Today As It Was In 1989

View more photos

Synopsis

Settling in for some time off in his suburban home, Ray Peterson's (Tom Hanks) vacation becomes a horror when the Klopeks, a suspiciously odd family, move in down the block. Enlisting the aid of his paranoid buddy, Art (Rick Ducommun), and his militia-man neighbor, Rumsfield (Bruce Dern), Ray sends his son and wife (Carrie Fisher) away on a trip while he investigates the Klopeks. When a neighbor disappears, Ray and his cohorts risk their lives to save their cul-de-sac from the clutches of evil.

Director: Joe Dante
Producer: Larry Brezner, Michael Finnell
Screenwriter: Dana Olsen
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Imagine Entertainment
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 17, 1989, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $34.1M
Runtime: 1h 42m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Most Popular at Home Now