Premiering in 1989, “The ‘Burbs” features Hanks and Fisher as Ray and Carol Peterson, a suburban couple enjoying a staycation. Ray’s curiosity piques as he grows suspicious of the mysterious new neighbors, the Klopeks, due to the odd noises echoing from their home at night. Could there be something sinister afoot? You can unravel the mystery yourself on Tubi, where the film is available for free streaming.

Despite Carol’s reservations, Ray teams up with the quirky Art Weingartner (played by Rick Ducommun), the Vietnam vet Mark Rumsfield (Bruce Dern), and the laid-back teen Ricky Butler (Corey Feldman, another ’80s luminary) to delve into the Klopeks’ odd behavior. Their amateur sleuthing soon spirals into chaos, threatening the peace of their quiet neighborhood. With its clever humor and satirical edge, “The ‘Burbs” offers a delightfully dark twist on suburban life, making it a must-watch for fans of Hanks and Fisher.

When it debuted in 1989, “The ‘Burbs” sparked mixed reactions. Notably, film critic Roger Ebert dismissed Dante’s unique suburban tale as a “long shaggy dog story” that felt “cut and dried.” However, the film has since garnered a cult following. Reflecting on the movie for Empire, Kim Newman lauded its “sly gags and bizarre characterisations,” dubbing it a “pleasantly nasty delight” that was unjustly overlooked. Although it holds a 56% rating on the Tomatometer, don’t let that deter you—it’s one of those comedies that defies its lukewarm scores with genuine hilarity.

“The ‘Burbs” divided opinion upon its release in 1989. Soon after seeing the film, veteran film critic Roger Ebert dismissed Joe Dante’s warped vision of the suburbs as a “long shaggy dog story” that was “cut and dried.” However, over the decades the movie has developed a loyal cult following. Looking back on the film for Empire, Kim Newman praised its “sly gags and bizarre characterisations,” ultimately proclaiming “The ‘Burbs” to be “a pleasantly nasty delight that was strangely overlooked in the cinema.” The reviews accumulated over the years have led to the film holding a 56% rating on the Tomatometer, but don’t let that put you off: “The ‘Burbs” is one of several comedy movies with poor Rotten Tomatoes scores that are actually hilarious.

Film critic Charles Bramesco wrote about the significance of “The ‘Burbs” on its 30th anniversary in a piece for The Guardian, noting how its social satire acts as a time capsule that reflects American male anxieties about post-war suburban living. By casting Hanks as the increasingly unhinged everyman Ray Peterson, Dante found “a perfect manifestation of family man restlessness,” Bramesco argued. Today, “The ‘Burbs” shares a cinematic cul-de-sac with other sly, subversive ’80s films like “Blue Velvet,” “Parents,” and “Suburbia,” which also pulled the curtain back on postcard-perfect suburban life. The movie also happens to be very funny, and anyone in the mood for a wickedly good dark comedy should listen to Ray Peterson: “I’m gonna go do something productive. I’m gonna go watch television.”

“The ‘Burbs” is streaming for free on Tubi.