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

Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead is the kind of early-’90s comedy that wins you over with sheer momentum: a wild premise played with such breezy confidence that you stop questioning it and start rooting hard. Christina Applegate has star-making screen presence as Sue Ellen, turning teen panic into a surprisingly sharp, can-do scramble through grown-up responsibilities, workplace absurdities, and sibling chaos, while Joanna Cassidy gives the corporate world a welcome jolt of wit and warmth. The vibe is fast, mischievous, and crowd-pleasing—more “scrappy underdog fantasy” than realism—with a darkly comic edge in the setup that the movie treats lightly rather than grimly. It’s not for everyone if you want grounded family comedy or are put off by some dated language and a death played for laughs, but if you’re in the mood for an energetic, funny time capsule with genuine charm, this one delivers.

Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead is aiming for a cheeky teen fantasy where a kid fakes adulthood, keeps the family afloat, and learns some responsibility along the way, with a splash of dark comedy in the setup. The problem is the script rarely cashes in on its own premise: the jokes can feel obvious, the “fashion world” plot is more wish-fulfillment than believable satire, and the tone skates past the darker bits instead of finding real wit in them. Christina Applegate is likable and game, and there are a few quotable moments, but she’s doing most of the heavy lifting while the movie coasts on attitude. If you want sharper writing or smarter comedy, you may find it thin; if you’re in the mood for a breezy, slightly edgy early-’90s teen romp and can roll with the contrivances, it’ll go down easier.