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Fantasy comedy

A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting (2020): Cast & Ratings

A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting (2020) movie poster

A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting is a 2020 fantasy comedy directed by Rachel Talalay, starring Cameron Bancroft as Pete Ferguson, Crystal Balint and Tamara Smart. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes. Critics gave it 68% on Rotten Tomatoes and 31 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10.

IMDb rating
5.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
68%
Echo Score
64
Metascore
31
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A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 38m (98 min)
Director
Rachel Talalay
Genres
Fantasy , Comedy , Family
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting About?

The premise of A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A high school freshman, Kelly Ferguson, unexpectedly discovers a hidden world when she joins a team of babysitters who fight monsters. Recruited to help them, Kelly must use her intelligence and bravery to confront the Grand Guignol's monstrous forces and protect the children under their care. The adventure unfolds on a Halloween night filled with ghouls and unexpected challenges.

A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting Themes & Keywords

· 19 tags
  • child
  • halloween
  • babysitter
  • close up of eyes
  • high school
  • halloween costume
  • halloween party
  • monster
  • nightmare
  • cat costume
  • sleep
  • secret club
+7 more
  • math whiz
  • boogieman
  • slimehouse
  • holiday horror
  • abduction
  • horror for children
  • hypnotized woman
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Cast & crew

A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting Cast & Characters

Cameron Bancroft leads the cast as Pete Ferguson, with Crystal Balint as Alexa Ferguson and Tamara Smart as Kelly Ferguson. Directed by Rachel Talalay; 15 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting

· 11 more
From the director

More from Rachel Talalay

More films directed by Rachel Talalay, best-rated first: Tank Girl, Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare, Doctor Who: The Star Beast and Doctor Who: Twice Upon a Time.

Full filmography
Ratings

A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting 68% on Rotten Tomatoes and 31 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 64/100, strongest in sensory experience (68) and weakest in story & flow (55).

64 /100

A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting offers a lighthearted family fantasy that is visually imaginative but uneven in its execution. While the premise and production design are often praised for their creativity and Halloween appeal, the film’s pacing and narrative focus receive criticism for feeling derivative and underexplored. Performances deliver moments of charm, particularly from the supporting cast, yet lack consistent emotional depth. Ultimately, the movie provides modest entertainment for younger audiences despite its structural shortcomings.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 65

    In terms of art and craft, the film showcases imaginative production design and settings that evoke a playful Halloween atmosphere. Some viewers highlight the creative creature design and cohesive visual motifs, while others note that the effects occasionally feel low budget. Direction and editing establish a brisk visual rhythm, but aesthetic inconsistencies can distract from immersion. Overall, the art direction balances inventive flair with technical limitations.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character and emotion, the cast delivers sporadic charm but lacks consistent depth. The ensemble offers moments of playful chemistry, particularly in the central teens’ banter, and Tom Felton’s villainous portrayal adds vivid energy. Critics note underdeveloped motivations and uneven emotional stakes, while some family viewers appreciate the lighthearted rapport. In summary, character engagement fluctuates between engaging glimpses and superficial interactions.

  • Story & Flow 55

    In terms of story and flow, the film presents a unique premise that many find engaging but offers a derivative execution. References to resilience over revenge resonate with family audiences, yet critics mention a cheap veneer that undercuts narrative exploration. Pacing swings between brisk action sequences and underdeveloped connective scenes, resulting in occasional stagnation. Overall, the storyline balances inventive setup with inconsistent coherence and originality.

  • Sensory Experience 68

    When considering sensory experience, the visual style is vivid and well-suited to a Halloween setting. Imaginative creature design and a playful color palette receive consistent praise, while sound design and musical cues support the lighter horror tone without generating real scares. Some note that effects occasionally appear low budget, which can undermine immersion. In sum, the sensory elements succeed in crafting an entertaining atmosphere despite constraints.

  • Rewatch Factor 62

    Regarding rewatch factor, the film offers occasional appeal for its campy holiday mood and family-friendly tone. Many cite its lighthearted approach and occasional humor as reasons to revisit, especially around seasonal celebrations. However, structural inconsistencies and limited emotional stakes reduce its lasting impact for older viewers. Overall, the replay value rests primarily on its festive charm rather than narrative depth or memorable character arcs.

Plot

A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting Plot Summary

What happens in A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Rhode Island teenager Kelly Ferguson, often called “Monster Girl” due to an attack by a monster in her childhood, finds herself in a whirlwind of chaos one Halloween night. Although she had plans to attend a senior Halloween party, her mother convinces her to babysit her son Jacob Zellman, leaving Kelly with strict instructions from Ms. Zellman about what to do and what to avoid. When Kelly arrives, Jacob shares his fears of monsters, showing her his drawings as evidence of their hauntings.

Full summary

The whole story of A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting Trailers & Videos

The trailer of A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting.

A Babysitter's Guide To Monster Hunting | Official Trailer | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting?

9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 9

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered

What nickname did Kelly earn from her high school classmates?

Details

A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting Also Known As

23 alternative titles, including “Guía de una niñera para cazar monstruos” and “Guida per babysitter a caccia di mostri”.

Also known as
  • Guía de una niñera para cazar monstruos
  • Guida per babysitter a caccia di mostri
  • Οδηγός Καταδίωξης Τεράτων για Μπέιμπι Σίτερ
  • Посібник няні з полювання на монстрів
  • Руководство для нянь: Как поймать монстра
  • 베이비시터를 위한 몬스터 사냥 가이드
  • Manual de Caça a Monstros
  • Consejos de una canguro para cazar monstruos
  • Útmutató bébiszittereknek szörnyvadászathoz
  • מדריך הבייביסיטר לציד מפלצות
  • 完全獵魔攻略
  • Bestiář mladé chůvy
+11 more
  • Petit guide de la chasseuse de monstres
  • Monsterjakt för barnvakter
  • 完全猎魔攻略
  • Poradnik łowczyni potworów
  • Hướng Dẫn Săn Quái Vật
  • Beštiár mladej pestúnky
  • ベビーシッターのモンスターハンティング・ガイド
  • Bebek Bakıcısının Canavar Avlama Rehberi
  • คู่มือล่าปีศาจ ฉบับพี่เลี้ยง
  • آموزش ‌های یک پرستار بچه برای شکار هیولا
  • Ghidul unei dădace pentru vânătoarea de monștri

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FAQ

A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting, each answered in a sentence.

How long is A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting?

A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).

When was A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting released?

A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting was released on October 15, 2020.

Who directed A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting?

A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting was directed by Rachel Talalay.

More films by Rachel Talalay

Who is in the cast of A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting?

A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting stars Cameron Bancroft as Pete Ferguson, Crystal Balint as Alexa Ferguson and Tamara Smart as Kelly Ferguson, among 15 credited actors.

How is A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting rated?

A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting has 5.4/10 on IMDb, 68% on Rotten Tomatoes, 31 on Metacritic and 62% on TMDB.

Does A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting have a post-credit scene?

No. A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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