Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead
Seen it?1991 | 105 min | Comedy
Weeknight WatchWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
It's still drawing plenty of interest, but just 36% on Rotten Tomatoes held it back. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh. Audiences love it more than critics do: a crowd-pleaser first.
- The mood
- Light and funny.
- The pace
- Breezy, at 1 hr 45 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG-13. Probably too much for younger kids.
- Critics were cooler on it than audiences.
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
How it earned its rating
- CriticsWeak
36% on Rotten Tomatoes, 35 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.2 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$25 million worldwide on a $10 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 175K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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The Three Stooges Weeknight WatchAnother comedy, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
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My Babysitter's a Vampire Weeknight WatchAnother comedy, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Stephen Herek
- Christina ApplegateSwell
- Joanna CassidyRose
- John GetzGus
- Josh CharlesBryan
- Keith CooganKenny
- Concetta TomeiMom
- David DuchovnyBruce
- Kimmy RobertsonCathy
- Jayne BrookCarolyn
- Eda Reiss MerinMrs. Sturak