# Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (2024 film)

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead is a 2024 American coming-of-age black comedy film and remake of the 1991 film. It was directed by Wade Allain-Marcus, written by Chuck Hayward and stars Simone Joy Jones, Ms. Pat, Jermaine Fowler, June Squibb, and Nicole Richie while Joanna Cassidy, Keith Coogan, and Danielle Harris from the original film also appear. It tells the story of a teenage girl who takes care of her siblings after their strict babysitter dies in her sleep while their mother is away and gets a job at a fashion company to make ends meet.
The film was released in the United States on April 12, 2024.

## Plot

Tanya, Kenny, Melissa, and Zack Crandall are left with an elderly strict babysitter named Mrs. Sturak when their mother goes on a retreat following a break-down at work. When Mrs. Sturak dies in her sleep, Tanya is left to take care of the family as she gets a job at a fashion company run by a woman named Rose.

## Cast

* Simone Joy Jones as Tanya Crandall
* Nicole Richie as Rose
* Donielle Hansley Jr. as Kenny Crandall
* Ayaamii Sledge as Melissa Crandall
* Carter Young as Zack Crandall
* Miles Fowler as Bryan
* Iantha Richardson as Caroline
* Patricia "Ms. Pat" Williams as Mom
* June Squibb as Mrs. Sturak
* Tyriq Withers as Rock
* Tyshawn Jones as Jason
* Jermaine Fowler as Gus
* Gus Kenworthy as Bruce
* Danielle Harris as a production executive
* Keith Coogan as Asher
* Joanna Cassidy as a fashion show buyer

## Production

A remake of Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (1991) was announced in May 2020 to be in development by Treehouse Pictures. It was reported to be written by Chuck Hayward with Bille Woodruff attached to direct and was described as a "present-day retelling centered on a black family". In April 2022, Tyra Banks signed on to play Rose.
In late February 2024, it was reported that the film was ultimately developed by BET+. Additionally, Wade Allain-Marcus replaced Woodruff as director. Banks was replaced by Nicole Richie to play Rose, reportedly due to a change in production schedule that did not align with Banks. She served as executive producer and creative advisor through her SMiZE Productions, where she consulted with the film's marketing strategy. June Squibb, Jermaine Fowler, Ms. Pat and Gus Kenworthy, Simone Joy Jones, Donielle Tremaine Hansley, Miles Fowler, Iantha Richardson, and Tyriq Withers round out the main cast. Principal photography took place in Santa Clarita, California in June 2023.

## Release

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead was released theatrically in the United States by Iconic Events Releasing on April 12, 2024. It began streaming on BET+ on May 16, 2024.

## Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 56% of 25 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.3/10. The website's consensus reads: "Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead has some fun with the original film's still-sturdy premise, but it's hard not to wonder whether a remake was really necessary." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 62 out of 100, based on 10 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.