Better Off Dead... (1985): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Better Off Dead... is a 1985 romantic comedy directed by Savage Steve Holland, starring David Ogden Stiers and John Cusack. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes and earned $10.3 million worldwide. Critics gave it 51 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 37m (97 min)
- Director
- Savage Steve Holland
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Warner Bros.
- After the credits
- Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
What Is Better Off Dead... About?
The premise of Better Off Dead... without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Two determined women, a prosecutor and a justice advocate, find their differing viewpoints challenged by a surprising revelation. As they reconsider their beliefs, they discover unexpected common ground and forge an unlikely connection. The story unfolds as an offbeat comedy, exploring themes of justice, conviction, and the complexities of human relationships.
Better Off Dead... Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- teenage boy
- french girl
- teen drama
- two dollars
- skiing
- exchange student
- high school
- teen comedy
- teen angst
- newspaper boy
- boyfriend girlfriend relationship
- nerd
+38 more Show fewer
- attempted suicide
- bedroom
- bed
- photograph
- framed photograph
- photo wall
- black and white photograph
- radio alarm
- goggles
- boy in bed
- blow dryer
- walk in closet
- shower
- boy in a shower
- rubber duckie
- undressing
- bathroom
- taking a shower
- man and woman share a bed
- husband wife relationship
- bicycle
- dream
- broken glass
- garage
- automatic garage door opener
- breakfast
- looking at oneself in a mirror
- obsession
- abandoned vehicle
- indoor plant
- announcement
- ended relationships
- beating
- anger
- angry man
- blonde girl
- danger sign
- downhill skiing
Better Off Dead... Cast
David Ogden Stiers leads the cast, with John Cusack. Directed by Savage Steve Holland.
- Director Savage Steve Holland
More from Savage Steve Holland
More films directed by Savage Steve Holland, best-rated first: One Crazy Summer, Malibu Rescue: The Next Wave, Malibu Rescue and Rufus 2.
Better Off Dead... Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Better Off Dead... 51 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 51 Metascore
User score 6.9
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 66% User score
See on TMDB
Better Off Dead... Plot Summary
What happens in Better Off Dead... from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
High school student Lane Meyer begins a Saturday morning, a few weeks before Christmas, readying himself for the ski team tryouts at his school. His mind is consumed by thoughts of his girlfriend, Beth, played by Amanda Wyss, as he packs his gear into the family’s aging jalopy station wagon. Little does Lane know, Beth has her own plans—she intends to break up with him in favor of Roy Stalin, characterized by the formidable Aaron Dozier, the school’s ace skier and captain of the team. Stalin is the only one capable of conquering the perilous K-12 slope, notorious for its history of painful injuries to aspiring competitors.
Full summary
The whole story of Better Off Dead..., scene by scene
Better Off Dead... Box Office
Better Off Dead... grossed $10.3 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$10.3M
- US & Canada
- $10.3M
Better Off Dead... Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Better Off Dead....
How Well Do You Know Better Off Dead...?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What sport is Lane Meyer trying out for?
Cars in Better Off Dead...
26 cars on screen, including the 1973 Ford LTD Wagon and the 1967 Chevrolet Camaro.
-
1973 Ford LTD Wagon Main role -
1967 Chevrolet Camaro Important role -
1965 Ford Falcon Important role -
1973 Chevrolet Caprice Estate Minor role
Seen Better Off Dead...?
Movies Like Better Off Dead...
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Better Living, Never Goin' Back and Better Off Single.
Better Off Dead... FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Better Off Dead..., each answered in a sentence.
How long is Better Off Dead...?
Better Off Dead... runs 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).
When was Better Off Dead... released?
Better Off Dead... was released on October 11, 1985.
Who directed Better Off Dead...?
Better Off Dead... was directed by Savage Steve Holland.
More films by Savage Steve Holland Who is in the cast of Better Off Dead...?
Better Off Dead... stars David Ogden Stiers and John Cusack.
How much did Better Off Dead... make at the box office?
Better Off Dead... grossed $10.3 million worldwide.
How is Better Off Dead... rated?
Better Off Dead... has 51 on Metacritic and 66% on TMDB.
Does Better Off Dead... have a post-credit scene?
Yes. Better Off Dead... has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.
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