No intellectual property is ever really gone forever in Hollywood, and a new Peacock series is preparing to breathe some new life into a cult classic from 1989.
Joe Dante’s “The ‘Burbs” was ahead of its time, lampooning the monotony of American suburbia and the darkness that sometimes hides beneath it with a story about a young couple (Tom Hanks and Carrie Fisher) who encounter a Satanic cult in their otherwise unremarkable neighborhood. The film eventually built a fanbase that surpassed its $49 million box-office haul, and audiences will soon have a chance to experience a new iteration of the property. The new Peacock series is a new story set in the present day that takes inspiration from the ideas and imagery of Dante’s film.
Per an official synopsis, Peacock’s “The ‘Burbs” follows “a young couple who have reluctantly relocated to the husband’s childhood home. Their world is upended when a new neighbor moves in across the street, bringing old secrets of the cul-de-sac to light, and new deadly threats shatter the illusion of their quiet little neighborhood.”
The series sees Keke Palmer and Jack Whitehall stepping into the lead roles (though they’re not playing the same characters as Hanks and Fisher), flanked by a supporting cast that includes Julia Duffy, Paula Pell, Mark Proksch, and Kapil Talwalkar.
The series hails from creator Celeste Hughey, who has writing and producing experience on shows such as “Palm Royale” and “Dead to Me.” Executive producers include Seth MacFarlane, Brian Grazer, and Dana Olsen, who wrote the original film.
“The ‘Burbs” was named one of IndieWire’s most anticipated TV series of 2026, with our film critic Ben Travers explaining that fans have two reasons to be excited about the show.
“Two good reasons: You loved the original film (starring Tom Hanks) and believe its premise is well-suited for a modern interpretation,” Travers wrote. “That, or Keke Palmer. She’s great! She deserves her own show! And with a supporting cast including Paula Pell and Mark Proksch, she may have found one funny enough to earn her skills.”
All eight episodes of “The ‘Burbs” will stream on Peacock on Sunday, February 8. Watch the trailer below.