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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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

35%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

57%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Sue Ellen Crandell is a teenager eagerly awaiting her mother's summer-long absence. While the babysitter 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

03/13/2021

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.

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Variety Staff

Variety

07/25/2007

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.

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Time Out

02/11/2006

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

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

12/08/2022

Simply inept. [Full review in Spanish]

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Philip French

Observer (UK)

03/13/2021

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

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

01/27/2021

2.5/4

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

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Melissa L

@Agent99 Jun 7

Funny movie. I have no idea why people have such poor ratings for it.

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Blake- N

@PBSAniDom Jun 6

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead is an okay comedy that has a few entertaining moments but never fully won me over. The premise is creative, and there are some funny situations throughout, but the overall experience felt average rather than memorable. The cast does a decent job, and the movie has enough energy to keep things moving. Some jokes land better than others, and while the film has a certain charm, it doesn't consistently deliver the laughs needed to stand out among other comedies from its era. Overall, Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead is watchable and occasionally amusing, but it wasn't a film that left a strong impression on me. It's not bad, but it's not something I would consider a favorite either. I'd rate it a 5/10.

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Horror fan 4

@Horrorfan4life Apr 6

A classic movie about kids stuck with a ruthless dictator of a babysitter. When she dies the oldest played by applegate must get a job so they can continue to have a great time while moms on vacation. I absolutely love this movie. It's charm and timely placed comedy makes this fun for most. I love these characters and the fact that a once dysfunctional family comes together and has one hell of a time. Timothy Treakle

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Mar 14

The worldwide gross is $25,196,249.00.

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C B

@Movie_gal Jan 19

I saw it was a kid and loved it. Still love it as an adult! A timeless classic from Christina Applegate

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Frans B

@FransB Dec 9

This will always be one of those true blue 80's movies in my book. Hilarious at times, sometimes downright silly, drama filled and over the top. Love, even if it just for the way Kenny does the dishes 😜 Whole cast excels in character and the cinematography is good. Well worth a watch every once in a while

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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 is a teenager eagerly awaiting her mother's summer-long absence. While the babysitter 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