The new documentary, John Candy: I Like Me, is renewing interest and memories of the beloved late comedy star. It’s a refreshing documentary that tracks Candy’s career through a heartwarming, accurate lens, celebrating not just his Hollywood success but also his firm establishment among family, friends, colleagues, and fans as a genuinely kind person.
Viewers interested in delving into the actor’s filmography after John Candy: I Like Me can use our guide to find out how to watch the 10 best John Candy movies on platforms like Disney+, HBO Max, and more.
10. Summer Rental (1985)
Summer Rental follows Jack (Candy), who attempts to take his family on vacation during a paid leave of absence from work, although things don’t turn out as he expected. It’s a typical vacation-gone-wrong movie made all the better by Candy’s comedic performance. The film will also evoke nostalgia among older audiences, as it perfectly captures the ‘80s beach summer-vacation experience.
The cast is excellent, and Summer Rental proves to be a comedic, breezy comfort watch. However, the fact that it doesn’t differentiate itself much from the vacation-gone-wrong template prevents it from ranking higher than more original entries on this list. Still, the comedic, familiar premise will please fans of disaster vacation movies like National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983) and Vacation (2015).
9. The Great Outdoors (1988)
The Great Outdoors is another vacation-gone-wrong film that centers on Chet Ripley (Candy), who takes his family on a relaxing vacation to Wisconsin, only to have his sister crash the vacation by showing up uninvited with her husband and daughters. While it’s another familiar vacation-from-hell comedy, it stands out a little more from Summer Rental due to the fantastic, comedic duo of Candy and Dan Aykroyd.
The pair play off each other perfectly as the no-nonsense family man Chet and the obnoxious, arrogant brother-in-law Roman (Aykroyd). Summer Rental is over-the-top and hilarious, and features a charming duo that viewers can’t help but laugh at. If you love Summer Rental but are looking for more of a family clash similar to National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989), you’ll especially enjoy The Great Outdoors.
8. Spaceballs (1987)
Spaceballs is a Star Wars parody from Mel Brooks, which follows mercenary Lone Starr (Bill Pullman) and his sidekick Barf (Candy), who set out to save Princess Vespa (Daphne Zuniga) from the nefarious Lord Dark Helmet (Rick Moranis). The film is perfect for fans of Brooks and spoof movies, as it hits the nail on the head with its jokes about a major movie franchise. It’s funny and lighthearted enough that the ribbing will tickle both fans and non-fans of Star Wars.
Candy is iconic as Barf, the half-dog, half-man parody of Chewbacca, proving every bit as lovable as his Star Wars counterpart and delivering some of the best lines of the movie. Spaceballs is a classic for Brooks fans, though newer audiences may not find it as appealing as those who experienced the original Star Wars trilogy firsthand and understand more of the parody’s jokes.
7. Home Alone (1990)
Home Alone centers on Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin), who must defend his home from burglars when he’s left home alone while his family goes on Christmas vacation. Candy appears in the movie as Gus Polinski, a member of a traveling polka band, who gives Kate (Catherine O’Hara) a lift in his band’s van to help her get home to Kevin. Although Candy’s role is relatively small, his random but heartwarming performance is one of several highlights that make Home Alone a Christmas classic.
Home Alone beautifully capitalizes on nostalgia and the childhood dream of being home alone while mixing in a fun and outlandish story of home invasions and one mother’s trek from Paris to home. It’s on par with Elf (2003) and A Christmas Story (1983) in that its appeal is timeless, and it never fails to get viewers into the holiday spirit. However, the brevity of Candy’s appearances means it doesn’t stand out as much in his filmography.
6. Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
Little Shop of Horrors is a musical about Seymour Krelborn (Rick Moranis), who finds himself in over his head when he acquires a plant with an appetite for human blood. It’s the perfect campy horror movie for musical fans. The visual effects are pretty good for the time, while the film boasts the perfect blend of dark humor and quirky characters. Fans of quirky horror musicals like The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) will especially love Little Shop of Horrors.
Candy appears in the film as Wink Wilkinson, a radio show host who invites Seymour on his show. Although it’s a small role, Candy kills it, dialing up the absurdity and humor of the movie with his charismatic, fast-talking, and energetic radio host. While he doesn’t get to shine as much as in his leading roles, Little Shop of Horrors marks one of his best supporting roles.
5. Only the Lonely (1991)
Only the Lonely is a rom-com in which Danny Muldoon (Candy) finds himself torn between his jealous mother, Rose (Maureen O’Hara), and the woman he loves, Theresa (Ally Sheedy). The movie is a funny, heartwarming, and sometimes a cringe-inducing exploration of loneliness and middle-aged love. While the bizarre mother-son dynamic delivers the laughs, the love story at the movie’s center is surprisingly sweet and endearing.
Candy offers one of his more serious roles, as the fretful, conflicted, and lonely bachelor bearing the weight of family responsibilities and his heart’s desires. He and O’Hara complement each other’s performances beautifully, ramping up the humor and emotion. It’s one of Candy’s most underrated movies, offering a fun, breezy rom-com perfect for all ages. If you’re looking for the family chaos of The Great Outdoors but with a little more romance and tenderness, Only the Lonely is for you.
4. National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)
If you love The Great Outdoors and Summer Rental, you’ll love National Lampoon’s Vacation, which stands as one of the most iconic and classic vacation disaster movies. The film follows Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase), who grows increasingly desperate to give his family a fun vacation amid a series of accidents and mishaps. Candy appears in the film as hapless amusement park security officer Russ Lasky, who struggles to maintain order when the unhinged Griswold turns up.
His performance demonstrates his knack for turning a supporting role into the movie's highlight. Through his funny voice and body language, he brings the nervous, goofy security guard to life, perfectly matching the film’s screwball comedy. National Lampoon’s Vacation is filled with nonstop gags and chaos, marking the very best of the disaster road trip subgenre. Although the humor is slightly outdated, the film still holds up well through its memorable humor and iconic Candy performance.
3. Uncle Buck (1989)
Uncle Buck marks one of Candy’s most iconic and recognizable roles as the titular protagonist. In the film, the immature and free-spirited Buck (Candy) finds himself responsible for his brother’s three children while their parents are out of town and struggles to bond with them. Candy delivers on the role of Buck, portraying the slovenly, childish character in a way that still makes viewers love and root for him despite his shortcomings.
Uncle Buck offers a blend of comic and heartwarming moments typical of unexpected family-reunion movies. The film is highly reminiscent of Nutcrackers (2024) and The Game Plan (2007) due to its tale of a bachelor developing a life-changing connection with a child. Although Candy’s Uncle Buck performance is quite iconic, the movie’s somewhat familiar and predictable premise prevents it from taking the top spots on this list.
2. Splash (1984)
Splash tells the story of Allen Bauer (Tom Hanks), who returns to Cape Cod as an adult, looking for the mysterious mermaid he fell in love with as a child. The film is a fun fantasy romance, playing out like an adult fairy tale and capturing the humor and absurdity of a human-mermaid relationship. At times, its humor and jokes give off The Little Mermaid (1989) vibes, though it also has a maturity and charm that set it apart.
Candy stars in Splash as Freddie Bauer, Allen's older, womanizing brother. Similar to his Uncle Buck role, Candy makes an unlikeable, immature character surprisingly likable, bringing energy and humor to every scene. In many scenes, he actually outshines Hanks, which is quite a testament to his acting skills and infectious charm. His role as Freddie isn’t as endearing as his role in the top entry on this list, but it rivals it in quality.
1. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987)
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is a Thanksgiving movie that pairs the comedic talents of Steve Martin and Candy. In the film, Neal Page (Martin) tries to get home to his family in time for Thanksgiving, running into the well-meaning but chaotic Del Griffith (Candy) along the way. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is a holiday classic. It’s festive, funny, and features surprising moments of sweetness alongside its misadventures.
Candy shows off both his improv skills and ability to convey emotion, offering one of the most heartfelt performances of his career. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is the perfect road-trip film to get into the holiday spirit. Viewers who love misadventures and unlikely friendships in movies like Tommy Boy (1995) and I’ll Be Home For Christmas (1998) won’t want to miss Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. The classic, festive atmosphere and Candy’s emotional and lovable performance make the holiday comedy his very best work.
