In 1991, the world was introduced to Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead, a cult classic comedy about a group of unsupervised kids who have to learn to fend for themselves after their babysitter dies unexpectedly. The film starred Christina Applegate as Sue Ellen Crandell, the oldest of the five siblings, who must step up and take charge when their mother leaves for Australia for two months and their baby sitter passes away.
I was 10 years old when it came out, and I remember being captivated by it. Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead is a funny and heartwarming film that is full of quotable lines and memorable characters. The film also features a strong message about the importance of family and responsibility. Its a heart warming movie, if you want to watch it, you can find it on Amazon here.
Critical response and box office success
In the 30 years since its release, Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead gained a cult following. The film’s themes of family, responsibility, and self-discovery continue to resonate with viewers today.
However, the movie was only moderately successful at the box office, grossing about $25 million on a budget of $10 million — I know, these numbers seem tiny compared to the budgets of today’s blockbusters. It was a simpler time.
In addition, critics generally had negative things to say about the movie when it first came out. But, as it sometimes happens to negatively reviewed movies, it slowly began to acquire a cult following. Today the movie is considered a cult classic.
Synopsis of Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead
Sue Ellen cannot afford to go with her friends to Europe. She is disappointed by this, but looks forward to her mom taking a vacation in Australia so she can have some freedom. At 17 years of age, she wants some autonomy and excepts that she will get it when her mom leaves.
Unfortunately for her, her mom hires a live-in nanny who at first appears sweet, but turns out to be anything but. She soon passes away, leaving the kids short of money.
The rest of the film is about how Sue Ellen tries to take care of her family by getting a job in fashion — pretending to be older to get the job. I know it is predictable, and probably a bit clichéd, but watching it makes me smile. It is a guilty pleasure.
Why Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead became a cult classic
There are many reasons that this film has resonated with people and became a cult classic. Here are some of these reasons
- The cast is excellent, with Christina Applegate giving a standout performance as Sue Ellen.
- The film is funny, with plenty of quotable lines and memorable scenes.
- The film has a strong message about the importance of family and responsibility.
- The film is set in the 1990s, which gives it a nostalgic feel.
The sound track is also really good. You can check it out here, it makes me nostalgic about my childhood.
Conclusion
If you haven’t seen Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead, I highly recommend checking it out. It’s a funny and heartwarming film that is sure to entertain audiences of all ages.
