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Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead

Play trailer Poster for Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead PG-13 1991 1h 45m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
32% Tomatometer 31 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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Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead

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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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Critics Reviews

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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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review Vincent Canby New York Times May 20, 2003
2/5
Miss Applegate is charming when the screenplay allows her to slow down. Working against her is the director, Stephen Herek, who pushes every gag so hard and fast that he seems to be keeping up with a laugh track only he can hear. Go to Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) Dec 8, 2022
Simply inept. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Philip French Observer (UK) Mar 13, 2021
It's not bad, but hardly what you put down money in a cinema to see. Go to Full Review 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... Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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. See more Robert P @Superbad Sep 15, 2026 This movie = a *3* star Movie! See more B P @Bradster69 Sep 9, 2026 Not Bad, but Not My Favorite See more Noel L @RT15930389 Jul 13, 2026 Just goes to show you, when push comes to shove, its time to grow up and take charge See more 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. See more Melissa L @Agent99 Jun 7, 2026 Funny movie. I have no idea why people have such poor ratings for it. See more Read all reviews
Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead

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Cast & Crew

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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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Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (1991) Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (1991) View more photos

Movie Info

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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