There are plenty of ways to spend a summer vacation. You could go to the beach, hang out with friends, or enjoy a few months away from school. Or, if you're the unfortunate teenager in Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead, you could discover that the elderly woman hired to watch you and your siblings has unexpectedly died, leaving you with a house full of children and absolutely no adult supervision. Naturally, the logical next step is to throw the body into a funeral home and pretend nothing happened.
Released in 1991, this comedy stars Christina Applegate as Sue Ellen Crandell, a teenager whose summer plans are destroyed when her mother announces she's going to Australia for two months. The children are left in the care of a strict, unpleasant babysitter, played by Eda Reiss Merin. Unfortunately, the babysitter dies almost immediately, and the kids decide that telling their mother would be a terrible idea.
With no adult around and very little money, Sue Ellen takes responsibility for the household. She also discovers that the babysitter's purse contains a significant amount of cash, which would be incredibly helpful if the money weren't supposed to be used for the babysitter's funeral. The kids dispose of the body, invent a story about the woman returning home, and begin a summer of increasingly questionable decisions.
Sue Ellen eventually lands a job at a fashion company by pretending to be an experienced executive. Apparently, the secret to corporate success in the early '90s was wearing a decent outfit, speaking confidently, and hoping nobody asks to see your résumé. She quickly discovers that being an adult involves considerably more responsibility than she anticipated, although the movie makes the entire process look suspiciously easy.
Applegate is terrific in the lead role. She brings enough charm and attitude to make Sue Ellen believable as a teenager suddenly forced into adulthood. This was an important early showcase for her comedic abilities, long before Married... with Children and Anchorman made her a familiar face to audiences.
The supporting cast includes Joanna Cassidy as the mother, Josh Charles as Sue Ellen's romantic interest, and David Duchovny in an early film appearance as a fellow employee. The younger siblings provide plenty of chaos, particularly the youngest, who seems to have absolutely no understanding of why hiding a dead babysitter might be a problem.
The movie's biggest strength is its ridiculous premise, which it embraces without hesitation. The entire plot depends on several people deciding that a dead babysitter is something best handled through elaborate deception rather than a simple phone call. It's not exactly a master class in responsible decision-making, but responsible decision-making wouldn't make a very entertaining comedy.
The early-'90s fashion, music, and workplace culture give the movie plenty of nostalgic appeal. Its central theme of a teenager trying to become independent also gives the story a little more substance than its premise initially suggests. Sue Ellen isn't simply trying to get through the summer; she's discovering that she's capable of handling responsibilities she never thought she could manage.
Final Verdict: 7/10
Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead is a wonderfully silly '90s comedy with a memorable lead performance and a premise that gets more ridiculous the longer you think about it. Christina Applegate carries the movie, the supporting cast keeps things entertaining, and the whole thing delivers a satisfying dose of nostalgia. It's also a useful reminder that if your babysitter dies, perhaps calling the authorities should come before applying for an executive position.
Released in 1991, this comedy stars Christina Applegate as Sue Ellen Crandell, a teenager whose summer plans are destroyed when her mother announces she's going to Australia for two months. The children are left in the care of a strict, unpleasant babysitter, played by Eda Reiss Merin. Unfortunately, the babysitter dies almost immediately, and the kids decide that telling their mother would be a terrible idea.
With no adult around and very little money, Sue Ellen takes responsibility for the household. She also discovers that the babysitter's purse contains a significant amount of cash, which would be incredibly helpful if the money weren't supposed to be used for the babysitter's funeral. The kids dispose of the body, invent a story about the woman returning home, and begin a summer of increasingly questionable decisions.
Sue Ellen eventually lands a job at a fashion company by pretending to be an experienced executive. Apparently, the secret to corporate success in the early '90s was wearing a decent outfit, speaking confidently, and hoping nobody asks to see your résumé. She quickly discovers that being an adult involves considerably more responsibility than she anticipated, although the movie makes the entire process look suspiciously easy.
Applegate is terrific in the lead role. She brings enough charm and attitude to make Sue Ellen believable as a teenager suddenly forced into adulthood. This was an important early showcase for her comedic abilities, long before Married... with Children and Anchorman made her a familiar face to audiences.
The supporting cast includes Joanna Cassidy as the mother, Josh Charles as Sue Ellen's romantic interest, and David Duchovny in an early film appearance as a fellow employee. The younger siblings provide plenty of chaos, particularly the youngest, who seems to have absolutely no understanding of why hiding a dead babysitter might be a problem.
The movie's biggest strength is its ridiculous premise, which it embraces without hesitation. The entire plot depends on several people deciding that a dead babysitter is something best handled through elaborate deception rather than a simple phone call. It's not exactly a master class in responsible decision-making, but responsible decision-making wouldn't make a very entertaining comedy.
The early-'90s fashion, music, and workplace culture give the movie plenty of nostalgic appeal. Its central theme of a teenager trying to become independent also gives the story a little more substance than its premise initially suggests. Sue Ellen isn't simply trying to get through the summer; she's discovering that she's capable of handling responsibilities she never thought she could manage.
Final Verdict: 7/10
Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead is a wonderfully silly '90s comedy with a memorable lead performance and a premise that gets more ridiculous the longer you think about it. Christina Applegate carries the movie, the supporting cast keeps things entertaining, and the whole thing delivers a satisfying dose of nostalgia. It's also a useful reminder that if your babysitter dies, perhaps calling the authorities should come before applying for an executive position.
Review posted
November 10, 2026