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Comedy

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (2024): Cast & Ratings

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (2024) movie poster

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead is a 2024 comedy starring Simone Joy Jones as Tanya Crandell, Donielle T. Hansley Jr. and Carter Young. It runs 1 hour 39 minutes. Critics gave it 54% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.2/10.

IMDb rating
4.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
54%
Echo Score
53
Metascore
62
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Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 39m (99 min)
Genre
Comedy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead About?

The premise of Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

After a mother unexpectedly leaves town, Tanya finds herself with a surprise babysitter and the unexpected loss of her grandmother. Suddenly on her own, Tanya must learn to manage a summer of independence and unexpected responsibility, all while trying to avoid any trouble.

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead Themes & Keywords

· 26 tags
  • nasty woman
  • based on film
  • coming of age
  • african american
  • fashion
  • deception
  • boss
  • fashion show
  • corpse
  • babysitter
  • babysitting
  • female babysitter
+14 more
  • summer job
  • evil
  • family relationships
  • teen angst
  • teenager
  • death
  • responsibility
  • nanny
  • employer employee relationship
  • party
  • dead woman
  • the truth
  • demanding an explanation
  • teen movie
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Cast & crew

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead Cast & Characters

Simone Joy Jones leads the cast as Tanya Crandell, with Donielle T. Hansley Jr. as Kenny Crandell and Carter Young as Zack Crandell.

Also Starring in Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead

· 15 more
Ratings

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead 54% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 53/100, strongest in character & emotion (60) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

53 /100

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead Echo Score Breakdown

The remake generates a mixed consensus, balancing moments of genuine humor and cultural nuance with noticeable shortcomings in execution. Critics commend its nostalgic charm and occasional strong performances, yet many point to formulaic direction, undercooked pacing, and technical missteps. User feedback mirrors this split, highlighting both enjoyable family dynamics and glaring issues such as miscasting and an overbearing soundtrack. Overall, the film offers sporadic entertainment but fails to coalesce into a consistently compelling experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 55

    In terms of direction and visual craftsmanship, the film shows flashes of inventive cultural nuance praised by some critics, but it is also described as formulaic and undercooked by others. Reviewers note that the cinematography does not markedly elevate the material, and the editing choice to foreground loud music detracts from clarity. While a few commend the respectful update, the consensus points to a modestly effective but uneven artistic execution.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When examining acting and character depth, Simone Joy Jones receives consistent praise for holding the narrative together, and several users commend the chemistry among the siblings. Conversely, multiple critics and viewers criticize miscasting and uneven performances, especially in supporting roles. The emotional resonance is therefore mixed: strong central portrayals are offset by moments of unconvincing delivery, resulting in an overall moderate character assessment.

  • Story & Flow 50

    Storywise, the remake oscillates between nostalgic appeal and structural weaknesses. Critics cite a convoluted plot and pacing that whiffs, while others acknowledge a sweet, snappy premise that engages certain audiences. User opinions echo this division, with some enjoying the retained original beats and others finding the narrative rushed or underdeveloped. The aggregate view is that the plot provides occasional engagement but lacks consistent coherence.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    Sensory elements such as soundtrack and sound design generate divergent reactions. Some reviewers appreciate the energetic music and visual style, noting it contributes to the film's charm. However, a prominent criticism focuses on the soundtrack's volume overwhelming dialogue, indicating a flaw in audio mixing. Visual presentation is generally deemed adequate but not distinctive. Consequently, the sensory experience is assessed as moderately effective with notable room for improvement.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    Regarding rewatch value, the film offers nostalgic moments that may entice repeat viewings for fans of the original, yet many critics and users describe it as forgettable and lacking lasting appeal. The uneven execution and technical distractions diminish its potential to become a staple. While a subset of viewers enjoys the cameo appearances and humor, the overall replayability is limited, reflecting a modest rewatch factor.

Plot

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the sweltering heat of her 17th summer, Sue Ellen “Swell” Crandell finds herself in a predicament, trapped at home while her friends embark on exciting European adventures. Just as she hoped for a liberating summer with her siblings Kenny, Zach, Melissa, and Walter, their plans are dashed as their mother leaves for an exhilarating trip to Australia with her new partner. In her absence, the children are left under the watchful eye of the seemingly kind-hearted Mrs. Sturak, who quickly reveals herself to be a tyrant, igniting rebellion among the siblings.

Full summary

The whole story of Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser and 1 clip.

Trailer
  • Teaser Teaser
  • Clip The Dishes are Done!
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's 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

  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
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Swell's full name?

Details

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead Also Known As

11 alternative titles, including “No Le Digas A Mamá Que La Niñera Ha Muerto” and “Mos i thuaj mamit që bebisiteri ka vdekur”.

Also known as
  • No Le Digas A Mamá Que La Niñera Ha Muerto
  • Mos i thuaj mamit që bebisiteri ka vdekur
  • Не говори маме, что няня умерла
  • 别告诉妈妈保姆死了
  • Viva! A Babá Morreu
  • No le cuentes a mamá que la niñera ha muerto
  • No le digas a mama que la niñera a muerto
  • Ljeto bez dadilje
  • Nie mów mamie, że niania nie żyje
  • Nu-I Spune Mamei că Bona A Murit
  • ドリーム・ガール/ママにはないしょの夏休み

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FAQ

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead?

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead runs 1 hour 39 minutes (99 minutes).

When was Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead released?

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead was released on April 12, 2024.

Who is in the cast of Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead?

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead stars Simone Joy Jones as Tanya Crandell, Donielle T. Hansley Jr. as Kenny Crandell and Carter Young as Zack Crandell, among 19 credited actors.

How is Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead rated?

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead has 4.2/10 on IMDb, 54% on Rotten Tomatoes, 62 on Metacritic and 57% on TMDB.

Does Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead have a post-credit scene?

No. Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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