The 'Burbs1989
The 'Burbs (1989)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic 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.
The 'Burbs Videos
The 'Burbs Photos
Movie Info
Watch it now
Cast
as Ray Peterson
as Mark Rumsfield
as Carol Peterson
as Art Weingartner
as Ricky Butler
as Dr. Werner Klopek
as Bonnie Rumsfield
as Uncle Reuben Klopek
as Hans Klopek
as Walter

as Dave Peterson

as Ricky's Girl Friend

as Steve Kuntz

as Walter's Daughter
as Art's Wife
as Vic, Garbageman #1
as Joe, Garbageman #2
as Detective #1

as Ricky's Friend
as Steve Kuntz
as Detective #2

as Cop
as Cop

as Ricky's Friend
News & Interviews for The 'Burbs
Critic Reviews for The 'Burbs
All Critics (38) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (20) | Rotten (18) | DVD (2)
It fumbles at the last moment... but this is still mainly a pleasantly nasty delight that was strangely overlooked in the cinema.
It's inconceivable that "The 'burbs looked good on paper.

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

The 'Burbs doesnit quite go the distance, but for most of its length it is a superbly inventive, insightful and funny black comedy.
This movie was directed by Joe Dante, whose style has become increasingly broad and abrasive since he made the clever Gremlins back in 1984.

The script would like to be a horror film, a comedy and a commentary on suburban living, but it doesn't hit any target.
Audience Reviews for The 'Burbs
I love this movie to pieces. It is one my all time favorite 80's film and definitely my favorite Tom Hanks film. The neighbors are crazy and the characters are a lot of fun. The whole movie is fun. It's a comfort movie for me. One I know that will forever be on my shelf and one I will always go back to watch. I can't believe there are still so many who haven't seen this film. If you get the chance do so.

Super Reviewer
This comedy shows Tom Hanks at his early best, as him and his friends are trying to investigate the disappearance of a neighbor and the new oddball family that moved in next door. The film has little flattering things to say about the so called normal suburb life and its picket fences. At the same time, it's hard not to like these narrow-minded and silly characters. The plot is smart enough not to reveal if they are just seeing ghosts or if evil has been moving in next door. It's just good 80s kind of fun to see things develop and turn into a whole lot of mess.
Super Reviewer
Dante is one of my favourite directors, and I remember absolutely loving this comedy about a strange new family that moves into the neighbourhood, but I can't seem to remember it too well. I need to re-watch this one.
Super Reviewer
The 'Burbs Quotes
Mark Rumsfield: | Hey! Pinocchio! Where are you going? |
Art Weingartner: | (chanting) I want to kill, everyone, Satan is good, Satan is our pal... |
Art Weingartner: | [chanting] I want to kill, everyone, Satan is good, Satan is our pal... |
Art Weingartner: | Now they know that we know that they know that we know. |
Mark Rumsfield: | Come to think of it, I don't recall ever seeing a moving van... |
Uncle Reuben Klopek: | Thats strange, since it was parked outside ALL DAY! |