The 'Burbs

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The 'Burbs

PG

1989

1h 42m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

57%

Tomatometer

46 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Settling in for some time off in his suburban home, Ray Peterson's vacation becomes a horror when the Klopeks, a suspiciously odd family, move in down the block. Enlisting the aid of his paranoid buddy, Art, and his militia-man neighbor, Rumsfield, Ray sends his son and wife 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.

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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.

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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.

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Kevin Thomas

Los Angeles Times

03/26/2019

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

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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.

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Jack E. Wilkinson

United Press International

3d

Problem is, it's not funny, a situation comedy that's all situation and little comedy.

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

Mar 19

3/5

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

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Jim Emerson

Orange County Register

Mar 18

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

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Melissa M

@Lisey Jun 6

It's like American Gothic meets leave It to Beaver. This movie got a lot of mixed reviews. Back in the day Hollywood had at least some type of imagination. Now it's all sequels, prequels, remakes. Or remakes of remakes. All-Star cast. Bruce Dern, Tom Hanks, Carrie Fisher, Corey Feldman, Brother Theodore, Courtney gains, Dick Miller. This movie takes place in a small suburban town. Even though this movie goes to bizarre extremities. It's betrayal of a small town it's not too far off. Small towns are notoriously known for busy bodies & gossipy neighbors. And that one family that is the talk of the Town. In the film Tom Hanks plays Ray Peterson all he wants to do is have a nice relaxing staycation. A new eccentric family moves into town. They give new meaning to beware of the quiet ones. Curiosity gets the better of Ray & his busy body neighbors. Especially when the town grump goes missing. They decide to play dime store detectives & investigate the Klopek house.

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Jay C

@Jayjayjayjayjayjay May 13

It’s just super woke the actor are good but it’s just to much woke like really

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Ed A.

@steelers21 Apr 18

Maybe it’s just me but I watched this movie NEVER seeing trailer , reading on it , ZERO & must admit made me BELLY LAUGH like I hadn’t in years easy TOP 10 favorite for me Tom Hanks simply HILARIOUS L🤣L

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Allan C

@RT15713161 Apr 12

Subversively dark 80s comedy The 'Burbs (1989) **** A subversively dark and delightfully weird 80s comedy, The ’Burbs (1989) thrives on its committed cast—especially Tom Hanks and a surprisingly funny Corey Feldman—and Joe Dante’s playful, paranoid spin on suburban life. Not every gag lands, but its offbeat charm and cult appeal more than carry it. SEE LETTERBOXED FOR FULL REVIEW

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Nano N.

@Nanonevol Apr 9

A weak plot and a cast of has been never beens will waste an afternoon

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Joan Z.

@zimmer Mar 23

I love this movie and I wish Carrie Fisher had done more movies like this

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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

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Synopsis

Settling in for some time off in his suburban home, Ray Peterson's vacation becomes a horror when the Klopeks, a suspiciously odd family, move in down the block. Enlisting the aid of his paranoid buddy, Art, and his militia-man neighbor, Rumsfield, Ray sends his son and wife 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)