Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Mom goes to Australia, babysitter kicks the bucket, and Christina Applegate fakes a resume to save her family and a failing fashion company all while dealing with David Duchovny’s questionable 90s hair.

🍿 Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Summer of Freedom Interrupted

Sue Ellen Crandell, a recent high school graduate, anticipates a summer of freedom while her mother is away in Australia. Her dreams are quickly dashed when her mother hires the strict Mrs. Sturak as a babysitter for her and her four siblings: Kenny, Zach, Melissa, and Walter. Mrs. Sturak’s arrival signals the end of fun and the beginning of chores and strict rules.

The Babysitter’s Demise and a Desperate Plan

The Crandell kids’ misery is short-lived as Mrs. Sturak unexpectedly dies of a heart attack. Panicked, the siblings decide not to contact the authorities or their mother, fearing they’ll be blamed. Instead, they load Mrs. Sturak’s body into a trunk and anonymously drop it off at the local morgue with a note: “Nice old lady inside. Died of natural causes.”

Financial Woes and a Forged Resume

The situation worsens when the kids realize that Mrs. Sturak had their mother’s summer expense money. With no cash, Sue Ellen takes charge and seeks employment. After a brief stint at a fast-food restaurant, she forges a resume and lands a job as an executive assistant at a clothing manufacturer, General Apparel West (GAW).

Double Life and Corporate Chaos

Sue Ellen juggles her responsibilities at GAW, dealing with office drama, a lecherous businessman, and the constant threat of exposure. Her double life becomes even more complicated when she learns that her boyfriend, Bryan, is the brother of Carolyn, a jealous receptionist who suspects her deception.

Saving the Company with Style

When GAW faces bankruptcy, Sue Ellen seizes the opportunity to use her innate fashion sense to design a new clothing line. She convinces her boss to hold a fashion show at the Crandell house, enlisting the help of her siblings to pull off the event.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Sue Ellen Crandell (Christina Applegate): A 17-year-old who poses as an adult to get a job and support her siblings after their babysitter dies.
• Kenny (Keith Coogan): The stoner brother who eventually finds direction and responsibility.
• Mrs. Sturak (Eda Reiss Merin): The cruel babysitter whose sudden death sets off a chain of events for the Crandell children.
• Rose Lindsey (Joanna Cassidy): Sue Ellen’s supportive boss who sees her potential despite the lies.
• Carolyn (Jayne Brook): The embittered receptionist who tries to expose Sue Ellen’s deception.
• Bryan (Josh Charles): Sue Ellen’s boyfriend and Carolyn’s brother, who provides support and eventually learns the truth about her identity.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Sue Ellen: “I’m right on top of that, Rose.” – Sue Ellen’s frequent response to her boss, Rose, highlighting her efforts to manage her responsibilities.
• Kenny: “The dishes are done, man!” – Kenny jokingly yells this after shooting the dirty dishes in the backyard, showcasing his initially irresponsible nature.
• Sue Ellen: “What are we going to tell them? Liza Minnelli stole our Buick!” – Sue Ellen says this when the family car gets stolen.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $12,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $25,196,249
• Worldwide Gross: $25,196,249

💥 Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this movie as a kid and thinking Christina Applegate was the coolest. The whole idea of being left alone for the summer seemed like a dream, even with the dead babysitter part. The fashion show scene is iconic, and I always wanted a job like Sue Ellen. It’s pure 90s nostalgia!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 90s teen comedies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy coming-of-age stories”
  • “Those looking for lighthearted and nostalgic films”
  • “Fans of Christina Applegate”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Suggestive humor”
  • “Mild language”
  • “Depiction of a corpse”
  • “Theft/fraud”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “While not a really bad movie, it has a few issues that make me wonder if anybody making it knew what a depressing film they were making. This movie is about a woman having to work to support her overpriviliged brat siblings. What was the original point of this film? 2/4 stars.
• IMDb: “If you want a breezy, silly comedy with good performances and a snappy pace then this is for you. The whole setup is preposterous but so are many 80 & 90’s comedies. Once this one gets past its bumpy intro scenes it actually becomes a more focused story of a young girl finding her way through unexpected responsibilities.

Audience Reactions

Christina Applegate’s performance is awesome and makes the movie super enjoyable!: The movie is funny and has a lot of heart, with characters that evolve throughout the film.

Overall Consensus: A fun, albeit somewhat silly, 90s comedy with a lot of heart and a strong female lead in Christina Applegate.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Christopher Pettiet’s drug addiction nearly halted production, leading to cuts in some of his scenes to maintain the filming schedule.”
• “The Crandell house in the film is located at 15548 Iron Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita, California.”
• “The movie’s soundtrack features ‘Draggin’ the Line’ performed by Beat Goes Bang, adding to its early 90s vibe.”
• “The original title for the movie was, ‘The Real World.'”

🖥️ How to Watch Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead?

As of October 2024, “Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead” is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability as it may change. Physical copies (DVD and Blu-ray) are also available for purchase from major retailers like Amazon and Walmart.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead, you might like these similar films:

• Adventures in Babysitting (1987): Similar comedic mishaps when teenagers are unexpectedly left in charge and must navigate difficult situations.
• Weekend at Bernie’s (1989): Dark comedy where characters try to cover up a death, leading to absurd and hilarious situations.
• Working Girl (1988): Shares the theme of a young woman faking her way into a corporate job and succeeding against the odds.
• Home Alone (1990): A family comedy with a absurd premise and relatable characters.

🛒 Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead Related Products

• Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the original movie poster, capturing the 90s vibes and iconic imagery. Perfect for fans who want to relive the magic.
• 90s Fashion Accessory Set: Capture the fashion trends of the movie with scrunchies, neon sunglasses, and chokers! It’s a blast from the past with that 90s charm!
• Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead [Blu-ray]: Experience the film in high definition with this Blu-ray release. Featuring crisp visuals and improved audio, it’s a must-have for collectors.
• 90s Nostalgia Trivia Game: Test your knowledge of 90s pop culture, movies, and music! A perfect party game for fans of the era.

🎧 Soundtrack

Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Draggin’ the Line” – performed by Beat Goes Bang

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead: A 90s Cult Classic?

Ever wonder why ‘Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead’ became a cult classic despite initial negative reviews? This video dives into its journey from box office flop to beloved 90s staple. I personally think it’s fascinating how some movies find their audience over time, what do you think?

Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead Filming Locations

Curious where they filmed ‘Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead’? This video takes you back to the movie’s original filming locations and shows what they look like today. It’s pretty cool to see how much (or how little) things have changed, you should check it out.

Drop Dead Fred – Nostalgia Critic

The Nostalgia Critic takes on ‘Drop Dead Fred’! Get ready for a hilarious and critical look at this 90s flick. I love his commentary, it’s always insightful and funny – you’ve gotta see this review!

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