Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead

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Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead

PG-13

1991

1h 45m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

35%

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34 Reviews

57%

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100,000+ Ratings

Sue Ellen Crandell (Christina Applegate) is a teenager eagerly awaiting her mother's (Concetta Tomei) summer-long absence. While the babysitter (Eda Reiss Merin) looks after her rambunctious younger siblings, Sue Ellen can party and have fun. But then the babysitter abruptly dies, leaving the Crandells short on cash. Sue Ellen finds a sweet job in fashion by lying about her age and experience on her résumé. But, while her siblings run wild, she discovers the downside of adulthood.

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Critics Consensus

It has an amusing enough premise, but Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead will just leave viewers pining for the madcap hijinks promised by the title.

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Tim Pulleine

Guardian

Gilded by personable performances, particularly from [Christina Applegate and Josh Charles], this wish-fulfilling fantasy manages to be wholeheartedly ridiculous in a manner that leaves criticism disarmed.

Mar 13, 2021

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Variety Staff

Variety

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead starts with an enjoyable, if crude, black comedy situation promised by the title, but then it turns into an incredibly dumb teenage girl's fantasy of making it in the business world.

Jul 25, 2007

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Time Out

This is a sassy little comedy of wit and intelligence from the director of Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.

Feb 11, 2006

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Simply inept. [Full review in Spanish]

Dec 8, 2022

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Philip French

Observer (UK)

It's not bad, but hardly what you put down money in a cinema to see.

Mar 13, 2021

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...an appealingly larger-than-life premise that is, for the most part, employed to affable effect by Herek...

Rated: 2.5/4

Jan 27, 2021

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Mike P

This is a fun mash up of Adventures in Babysitting, Working Girl and Home Alone. Great cast, funny moments and a delightful dark sensibility highlight this unusual youth appeal caper comedy.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/11/25

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Kelly B.

Such an 80s classic!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/28/25

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Ivette G

This is SUCH a fun 80s movie. Rewatched with my 7yo last night and he also got a kick out of it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/23/25

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Nick O

Christina Applegate is so cool, she owns every second she’s on the screen in this smart, sarcastic dark comedy 90’s cable gem.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/28/25

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Steve Z

She went to the yarn store. I gotta go, Mom.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/16/25

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Audience Member

Decently funny movie but some pretty bad acting. Kinda cringy at times but it's my guilty pleasure as I had a crush on Christina Applegate back in the day

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/31/24

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Stephen Herek

Director

Christina Applegate

Sue Ellen Crandell

Joanna Cassidy

Rose Lindsey

John Getz

Gus

Josh Charles

Bryan

Keith Coogan

Kenny Crandell

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Synopsis

Sue Ellen Crandell (Christina Applegate) is a teenager eagerly awaiting her mother's (Concetta Tomei) summer-long absence. While the babysitter (Eda Reiss Merin) looks after her rambunctious younger siblings, Sue Ellen can party and have fun. But then the babysitter abruptly dies, leaving the Crandells short on cash. Sue Ellen finds a sweet job in fashion by lying about her age and experience on her résumé. But, while her siblings run wild, she discovers the downside of adulthood.

Director: Stephen Herek
Screenwriter: Neil Landau, Tara Ison
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Outlaw Productions, Home Box Office (HBO), Mercury Productions
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 7, 1991, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 17, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $23.0M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Stereo, Surround

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