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The 'Burbs

The 'Burbs is a 1989 American dark comedy film directed by Joe Dante and written by Dana Olsen.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The 'Burbs is a 1989 American dark comedy film directed by Joe Dante and written by Dana Olsen. It stars Tom Hanks as a suburban man who becomes convinced that his new neighbours are involved in sinister activity, turning an ordinary neighbourhood into a comic mystery.

Plot

The story follows Ray Peterson, a suburbanite whose vacation at home is interrupted by his obsession with the Klopek family, the new family on the block. As he and his neighbours investigate, their suspicions escalate into increasingly absurd and destructive behaviour. The film blends suburban satire, mystery and black comedy.

Production

The film was directed by Joe Dante and written by Dana Olsen. It was produced as a studio comedy that uses a suburban setting to satirize fear, conformity and paranoia.

Cast

The ensemble cast includes Tom Hanks, Bruce Dern, Carrie Fisher and Rick Ducommun. Hanks plays Ray Peterson, the neighbour whose suspicions drive the story. Other cast members include Corey Feldman, Wendy Schaal, Henry Gibson and Gale Gordon.

Reception

The film received mixed critical reviews upon its release in 1989 and was a modest financial success. It has since developed a reputation as a cult classic among audiences.

Key facts

  • The film centres on Ray Peterson, a suburbanite who becomes suspicious of the Klopek family next door.
  • It mixes suburban satire, mystery and black comedy.
  • Tom Hanks plays the lead role of Ray Peterson.
  • The film was directed by Joe Dante and written by Dana Olsen.
  • It was released in 1989 and is now often described as a cult classic.
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Canadian context

The film is part of the broader North American cult-comedy canon and is familiar to Canadian audiences through television, home video and streaming availability.

Frequently asked questions

What is The 'Burbs about?
It follows a suburban man who becomes convinced that the new family next door is part of a sinister cult or criminal scheme.
Who directed The 'Burbs?
Joe Dante directed the film.
Who wrote The 'Burbs?
Dana Olsen wrote the screenplay.
Who stars in The 'Burbs?
The film stars Tom Hanks, Bruce Dern, Carrie Fisher and Rick Ducommun.
What genre is The 'Burbs?
It is generally classified as a dark comedy or comedy with horror and mystery elements.

References

  1. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096734/
    Supports: Release year, synopsis, and principal credits including director, writer, and stars.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_'Burbs
    Supports: 1989 American film, director, writer, cast, genre, and later cult-classic reputation.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_burbs
    Supports: Synopsis, release date, MPAA rating, and genre.
  4. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-burbs-1989
    Supports: Plot description and critical framing of the film's suburban-satire premise.