Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

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

Timeline

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (1991) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1991 · 102 min · English
JustWatch #4,087 22
Directed by
Stephen Herek
Starring
Josh Charles, John Getz, David Duchovny, Christina Applegate, Jayne Brook, Joanna Cassidy

While their mother is out of town, two teenage girls throw a wild party and accidentally kill their babysitter. Suddenly left to clean up the mess and cover up the incident, the sisters must navigate a chaotic situation. One sister unexpectedly finds herself working in the fast-paced world of fashion, quickly learning that adulthood comes with its own set of challenges and responsibilities, far beyond the allure of glamour.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (13)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead
  6. 6 Categories
  7. 7 Every angle

Where to watch

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

Where can you watch Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

Streaming availability powered by JustWatch

13 events in order · contains spoilers

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (1991) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Summer Plans Disrupted

    Swell, a high school graduate, is excited about her summer plans with friends in Europe. However, she learns she can't join them as her mother leaves for Australia with her boyfriend, altering her expectations for a carefree summer.

    Where
    Los Angeles
  2. The Arrival of Mrs. Sturak

    With their mother away, the Crandell kids meet their new babysitter, Mrs. Sturak, who initially appears kind and capable. Soon, however, her tyrannical nature becomes evident, leading to conflicts with the siblings.

  3. Tragedy Strikes

    Chaos ensues when Mrs. Sturak suffers a heart attack after discovering inappropriate decorations in Kenny's room. Swell finds her lifeless body, sparking panic about how to handle the situation without involving the authorities.

  4. A Comedic Cover-Up

    In a desperate attempt to avoid trouble, the Crandell kids devise a plan to hide Mrs. Sturak's body in a trunk. They even send it to a local mortuary with a humorous note, but they inadvertently lose their mother's cash in the process.

  5. Taking on a Job

    With cash in short supply after the mishap, Swell begins working at the fast-food restaurant Clown Dog. She quickly catches the attention of a colleague named Bryan, but her job ends in frustration due to their rude manager.

    Where
    Clown Dog
  6. A New Opportunity

    Swell fabricates a résumé to land a receptionist job at General Apparel West (GAW), impressing executive Rose Lindsey from her very first day. This new role allows her to navigate responsibilities while feeling the pressures of adulthood.

    Where
    General Apparel West
  7. Complications of Love

    As Swell adjusts to her job, her relationship with Bryan faces challenges when she discovers he is the brother of Carolyn, her coworker who feels threatened by her presence. Their budding romance is tested by jealousy and misunderstandings.

  8. Office Jealousy

    Carolyn, feeling insecure, conspires with Bruce to undermine Swell at work. Meanwhile, Swell struggles with unwanted advances from Gus, a charming executive who complicates her job situation further.

    Where
    General Apparel West
  9. Launching a New Line

    When GAW faces bankruptcy, Swell takes the initiative to propose a new clothing line. With Rose's encouragement, she organizes a fashion show to showcase the creations, involving her siblings as part of the event.

  10. Tensions Mount

    The fashion show begins, and tensions rise when Rose discovers Gus's disloyalty. Carolyn tries to sabotage Swell but fails; Rose dismisses Carolyn's actions as mere jealousy during the event.

  11. Confrontation and Confession

    As the fashion show picks up momentum, Bryan arrives to mend things with Swell, only to find Carolyn's interference complicating matters. Just then, their mother unexpectedly returns home, prompting Swell to confess her entire deception.

  12. A New Beginning

    Rose understands Swell's situation and offers her a role as a personal assistant, but Swell decides to focus on her education instead. The two share a heartfelt moment as Swell reconciles with Bryan, rekindling their romance.

  13. Humorous Closure

    In a comedic twist during the credits, two mortuary workers discuss a potential trip to Las Vegas with the cash discovered with Mrs. Sturak's body. The gravestone humorously reads, 'Nice Old Lady Inside, Died of Natural Causes'.

    Where
    Cemetery

Last updated: November 08, 2024 at 01:35

Was this helpful?

Timeline questions answered

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (1991): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Mrs. Sturak die in the movie?

Mrs. Sturak dies of a heart attack after she discovers risqué posters and garish decorations in Kenny's room. The shock of seeing the inappropriate materials triggers her cardiac arrest, and Swell finds her lifeless body on the floor.

  • mrs sturak death
  • heart attack
  • babysitter dies
Q2

How do the kids get rid of Mrs. Sturak's body?

The kids devise a plan to hide Mrs. Sturak's body in a trunk and deliver it to a local mortuary. They send it with a comical note reading 'Nice Old Lady Inside, Died of Natural Causes.' Unfortunately, the cash their mother left for the babysitter goes with the body by accident.

  • body disposal
  • mortuary
  • trunk
  • cover up
Q3

Why does Swell need to get a job at General Apparel West?

After the kids accidentally send the babysitter's money along with Mrs. Sturak's body to the mortuary, the family is left with no money. Swell takes on adult responsibilities to support her siblings, first working at Clown Dog before landing the receptionist job at General Apparel West.

  • swell job
  • general apparel west
  • money problems
Q4

How does Swell land the job at General Apparel West?

Swell creates a fake résumé claiming to be a Vassar graduate. This elaborate lie helps her secure a receptionist position at General Apparel West, and she impresses executive Rose Lindsey on her first day, much to the disappointment of Carolyn, the previous candidate.

  • fake resume
  • vaspar
  • receptionist job
  • lie
Q5

Why does Swell's relationship with Bryan fall apart?

Swell discovers that Bryan is Carolyn's brother, the coworker who resents Swell for getting the job she wanted. This connection creates tension between Swell and Bryan, and a heated argument drives them apart, complicating their budding romance.

  • bryan
  • carolyn
  • relationship
  • brother sister
Q6

Why does Carolyn try to sabotage Swell at work?

Carolyn feels threatened by Swell because she lost the receptionist position to her. Fueled by jealousy, Carolyn conspires with colleague Bruce to undermine Swell at General Apparel West, and later tries to reveal Swell's age during the fashion show.

  • carolyn jealousy
  • sabotage
  • workplace rivalry
Q7

How does Swell save General Apparel West from bankruptcy?

When GAW faces potential bankruptcy, Swell takes the initiative to propose a new clothing line. With Rose's support, she organizes a fashion show to showcase the designs, which attracts fashion buyers and turns the company's fortunes around.

  • fashion show
  • bankruptcy
  • clothing line
  • ga saves
Q8

Why does Rose forgive Swell's deception at the end?

When Mrs. Crandell returns home early and Swell confesses everything, Rose understands Swell's situation. She recognizes the success stemming from the fashion show and the genuine effort behind Swell's work, so she offers Swell a personal assistant role instead of firing her.

  • rose forgives
  • confession
  • fashion show success
Q9

What happens to the money meant for Mrs. Sturak?

When the kids send Mrs. Sturak's body to the mortuary in a trunk, the cash their mother had left for the babysitter goes along with the body by accident. The mortuary workers later find the money, as revealed in the comedic closing scene where they discuss taking a trip to Las Vegas.

  • money
  • mortuary
  • cash
  • babysitter payment
Q10

Why does Mrs. Crandell come home early?

Mrs. Crandell returns home earlier than expected during the fashion show, which forces Swell to confess her entire deception about the babysitter's death and her fake job. The unexpected arrival creates the climactic confrontation in the movie.

  • mrs crandell returns
  • early
  • fashion show
  • confession

Movie threads

More Movies Like Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Chaotic Come-of-Age Farce Movies like Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead

Teenagers faking adulthood, leading to escalating workplace and home-front chaos. If you liked the hilarious chaos of Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead, you'll enjoy these comedies about teens in over their heads. This list features fast-paced stories of teenage deception, workplace shenanigans, and the comedic struggle to fake adulthood. Find similar movies with energetic pacing and lighthearted takes on responsibility.

  • chaotic
  • irreverent
  • playful
  • satirical
  • farce
  • energetic
  • Tone: light, irreverent, playful
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically starts with a disruptive event that forces teenagers to take on adult roles, often involving a cover-up or deception. The plot then escalates through a series of comedic blunders as they juggle their real lives with their fabricated personas, usually culminating in a public revelation and a happy resolution that validates their unexpected competence.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared focus on the comedic gap between teenage impulsivity and adult responsibility. They feature a fast-paced, energetic tone where the stakes are high enough to be funny but never genuinely threatening, creating a consistently light and playful viewing experience centered on growth through chaos.

Summer of Sibling Shenanigans Movies like Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead

Siblings left to their own devices, turning a summer into an unforgettable, chaotic adventure. Looking for more movies like Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead about siblings causing summer chaos? This collection features comedies centered on brothers and sisters left home alone, leading to wild adventures and unexpected responsibility. Discover similar films with a playful tone, themes of teenage independence, and the chaotic energy of a memorable summer.

  • summer
  • sibling
  • chaotic
  • fun
  • playful
  • independence
  • Tone: light, fun, playful
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot is triggered by the absence of parents, leaving siblings to manage a household and themselves. This newfound freedom quickly leads to escalating antics and a central problem they must solve together. The journey strengthens their relationship as they learn to rely on each other, blending slapstick humor with a core message about family.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a core setup (parent-free siblings), a specific setting (often summer), and a mood of playful, chaotic energy. The similarity comes from the dynamic between the characters, the tone of lighthearted rebellion, and the narrative arc of moving from pure fun to shared responsibility and back to a happy resolution.

If you liked this

Movies Like Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead

Similar movies to Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Categories

Movie Lists Featuring Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead appears in these hand-built movie categories. Each one groups movies by a specific mood, theme or story type, with their plot summaries and endings explained.

View all movie categories

Every angle

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (1991) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app