Common Sense Media Review
By Monique Jones
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Remake of 1991 comedy has strong language, dead body.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead
What's the Story?
DON'T TELL MOM THE BABYSITTER'S DEAD is a reimagining of the hit 1991 comedy. It follows Tanya (Simone Joy Jones), a selfish older sister who wants to take a vacation in Spain away from her siblings. But when her mom (Ms. Pat) goes to a retreat for her mental health, Tanya must step up and take responsibility for caring for herself and her siblings—especially after their babysitter (June Squibb) unexpectedly dies.
Is It Any Good?
Unlike the recent reboot of House Party, this reimagining of the 1991 original brings much more heart and is thankfully less hollow. Most of the main characters in Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead are well-rounded yet depicted with a light enough hand to be appropriate for a dark comedy. That said, not all of the characters escape stereotypes and clichés: A couple of them are surface-level gay male stereotypes that feel more like what we used to see in 1990s comedies. But despite this, Don't Tell Mom is a fun reworking of a fan-favorite comedy, and it shows that family can come together, learn from one another, and befriend one another in the face of extreme (and, in the film's case, nearly highly unlikely) odds.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about family relationships in Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead. What has kept the siblings emotionally apart? What brings them closer?
What does Tanya realize about adult responsibility over the course of the movie? How do the siblings demonstrate compassion and empathy for one another?
If you've seen the original film, how does this one compare? Which do you like better? Why?
How are gay characters portrayed in the film? Did you notice any stereotypes? How can stereotypes be harmful?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 12, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : November 19, 2024
- Cast : Simone Joy Jones , June Squibb , Donielle T. Hansley Jr. , Ayaamii Sledge , Carter Young , Nicole Richie , Patricia "Ms. Pat" Williams , Jermaine Fowler
- Director : Wade Allain-Marcus
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studios : BET+ , Iconic Events Releasing
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Empathy , Teamwork
- Run time : 99 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : teen drug use, language and some sexual references
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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