John Hughes Films: Ranked From Worst To Best

5. Uncle Buck

Uncle Buck John Candy Drill
Universal Pictures

After the disappointing critical and commercial reaction to She's Having a Baby, Hughes must have been thrilled with the reception to Uncle Buck, an out-and-out comedy starring the late, great John Candy as Buck, an irresponsible but good-natured uncle who needs to babysit his young nieces and nephew when a family crises arises.

This is the John Candy show, no question about it. One of the most eminently watchable actors ever, Candy invariably steals the movie with a role that seems tailor-made for him. Both Danny DeVito and John Goodman, two fine actors who would have no doubt done a good job, were considered but, really, it's hard to see anyone but Candy as Uncle Buck.

He is the heart and soul of the film, but he's given great support by the rest of the cast, including a young Macauly Culkin (the scene where Culkin's character interrogates Buck is one of the film's best). It's a goofy film that employs a lot of slapstick and physical comedy, but it works.

Not Hughes' best, but one of his funniest.

Contributor
Contributor

Student of film. Former professional wrestler. Supporter of Newcastle United. Don't cry for me, I'm already dead...