John Candy reaches the top of the Prime Video charts 35 years after its release

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and that means people gather to watch a lot of Christmas movies. If not a straight-up Christmas movie, they also tend to look for good entertainment that the whole family can enjoy. Enter “Uncle Buck,” a John Candy classic that audiences have loved since it first hit theaters 35 years ago. An example of this is that the film is finding its audience again via streaming as the holidays approach.

John Hughes’s 1989 comedy currently tops the list of most-watched movies on Amazon Prime Video, ranking ninth, per Flex Patrol. Although “Uncle Buck” isn’t technically a Christmas movie, it has a lot of the hallmarks of one, including good-natured humor, “Home Alone” actor Macaulay Culkin, and, yes, John Candy, star of “Planes,” Trains, and”. Cars”(A film Candy helped make through his honest improvisation). So it’s not hard to see why people seek it out at this time of year.

For those who may need a little refresher, “Uncle Buck” stars Candy as Buck Russell, a responsibility-avoiding bachelor who ends up responsible for his nephew and nieces during a family crisis. As Buck tries to adjust to suburban life while attracting his younger relatives, his carefree behavior rubs some of his family members the wrong way.

Like many other John Hughes films, “Uncle Buck” was a huge hit in its day, even spawning a spin-off television series Which, well, the less you say about it, the better. (Mind you, I’m not referring to the short-lived “Uncle Buck” reboot series from 2016, either.) But this was the ’80s and such things were commonplace back then. It’s easy to forget that there was a TV show called “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” too. There was also a “Rambo” cartoon for kids, but that’s a whole other conversation.

Right now, Prime Video’s top 10 list is dominated by Christmas movies. Also currently playing are “White Christmas,” “Love Actually,” “Frosty the Snowman,” “Jingle All the Way,” “The Holiday,” and “Red One.” It’s just that time of year! That’s the same reason Bruce Willis’ “Die Hard” recently made the Top 10. People return to holiday classics this time of year. It’s like clockwork.

For the same reasons, it’s not surprising to see “Uncle Buck” on this list. Again, it’s not a Christmas movie, but it brings with it a lot of the same feelings one wants from a movie when spending time with family and such. There is something charming and comforting about Candy’s performance. It’s like a big, warm cinematic hug. This film, in particular, does a great job of emphasizing that quality in it. This is most likely Why making “Uncle Buck” was such a playground for an ensemble cast It is a difficult task.

As for where One could rank “Uncle Buck” among John Candy’s best films? This is a matter of personal opinion as the man has starred in some true classics. Sure, “Spaceballs” and, on the other end of the spectrum, “JFK” should definitely be at the top. But any top ten list without the word “Uncle Buck” would be incomplete, in my humble opinion.

“Uncle Buck” is also available on Blu-ray and DVD via Amazon.