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%

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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

Mar 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

Jul 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

Feb 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)

Dec 8, 2022

Simply inept. [Full review in Spanish]

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Philip French

Observer (UK)

Mar 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

Jan 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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Tim M

@tgmacman Sep 25, 2026

Never living up to the playfulness of its title, Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead feels stuck in a comedy that doesn't know what to do with its premise.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 15, 2026

This movie = a *3* star Movie!

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B P

@Bradster69 Sep 9, 2026

Not Bad, but Not My Favorite

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Noel L

@RT15930389 Jul 13, 2026

Just goes to show you, when push comes to shove, its time to grow up and take charge

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Chris R

@christr77 Jul 2, 2026

My wife and I watched this movie together back when we were dating in college. More than 30 years later, we still reference it to each other. Lines like "the dishes are done, man" or "well, it needed it..." still get us. It's a truly memorable '90s teen movie that will always have a special place in our hearts. I still put it on around the house from time to time, even if it's just for background noise. When we showed it to our Gen-Z daughter, though, I don't think she got the appeal at all. I think you might have to be Gen-X to really appreciate this one.

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Melissa L

@Agent99 Jun 7, 2026

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

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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

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