What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe 'Burbs
Celeste Hughey · Series · 2026
If you loved The 'Burbs, start with The 'Burbs (Joe Dante, 1989) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to The 'Burbs across media.
If you enjoyed the way The 'Burbs turns domestic tranquility into a playground for paranoia, these stories amplify that suburban dread.
Start with the source
The source
The 'Burbs
Joe Dante · Film · 1989
Books on the same thread
Buckeye
Patrick Ryan · Book
Explores: buried family secrets, intergenerational trauma, hidden malice.
Like The 'Burbs, this story peels back the facade of a quiet neighborhood to reveal the long-buried secrets and intergenerational malice festering beneath the surface of everyday life.
Yesteryear
Caro Claire Burke · Book · 2026
Explores: Social Media Satire, Survival Horror, Gender Roles.
If The 'Burbs hooked you with its satirical take on American domesticity, this story mirrors that unsettling vibe by deconstructing traditional roles through a sharp, gaslighting-fueled lens.
Play Nice
Rachel Harrison · Book
Explores: inherited trauma, grief, family secrets.
The 'Burbs masterfully turns the home into a site of terror, and this book captures that same feeling by trapping characters within a house defined by family secrets.
The Hunter
Tana French · Book
Explores: Outsider status, Protecting family, Hidden pasts.
Much like the protagonist in The 'Burbs, this story centers on an outsider whose attempt to maintain a quiet, peaceful life is jeopardized by dark, hidden pasts.
Films on the same thread
They Will Kill You
Kirill Sokolov · Film · 2026
Explores: Sinister apartment buildings, Cult paranoia, Isolated protagonist.
If you enjoyed the claustrophobic dread of neighbors watching neighbors in The 'Burbs, you will appreciate this film's portrayal of a community hiding sinister secrets behind apartment walls.
Roommates
Chandler Levack · Film · 2026
Explores: Female friendship dynamics, Passive-aggressive conflict, Social hierarchy.
This film captures the same spirit of neighborly friction found in The 'Burbs, trading suburban paranoia for the passive-aggressive warfare that erupts when two people share space.
Little Brother
Film · 2026
Explores: Sibling Dynamics, Personal Growth, Life Disruption.
The 'Burbs explores how a stable life can be upended by unexpected arrivals, a theme this film echoes as a chaotic brother shatters a realtor's carefully curated existence.
Bury the Devil
Film · 2026
Explores: isolation, caregiver burnout, possession.
This film leans into the same isolation and domestic unease that defined The 'Burbs, forcing a caregiver to confront an otherworldly threat within the confines of their home.
Podcasts on the same thread
Bad Neighbors
Wendy and Katie · Podcast · 2024
If the dark humor of The 'Burbs resonated with you, this podcast provides a similar outlet for exploring the chaotic and often terrifying reality of living near others.
Tickled to Death
Podcast · 2026
Explores: Horror Movies, Trivia Games, Improvisation.
This podcast shares the comedic approach to horror found in The 'Burbs, offering a playful space to examine the genre tropes that make suburban thrillers so incredibly entertaining.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The 'Burbs (2026) a direct sequel to the 1989 movie?
No, the 2026 television series titled The 'Burbs is a separate production from the 1989 film. While both share the title The 'Burbs, the 2026 show follows a young couple returning to a childhood home, which is a distinct narrative from the original movie.
What is the premise of the 2026 series The 'Burbs?
The 'Burbs follows a young couple who move into the husband's childhood home in present-day suburbia. Their lives are disrupted when new neighbors arrive, revealing long-held secrets about the cul-de-sac and introducing deadly threats that destroy the peace of their neighborhood.
Should I watch the 1989 movie before the 2026 version of The 'Burbs?
You do not need to watch the 1989 film to understand the 2026 television series. The 'Burbs (2026) is a standalone story set in present-day suburbia, and its plot regarding a couple and their mysterious new neighbors functions independently of the 1989 movie.
Is The 'Burbs (2026) based on the same source material as the 1989 film?
The 2026 series titled The 'Burbs and the 1989 film share the same title, but they are separate projects. The 2026 show focuses on a young couple facing threats in their neighborhood, while the 1989 movie is a distinct production.