Adventures in Babysitting
Performance & Direction: Adventures in Babysitting Review
Last updated: January 26, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Adventures in Babysitting (1987) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.9/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Adventures in Babysitting features a noteworthy lineup led by Elisabeth Shue . Supported by the likes of Maia Brewton and Keith Coogan , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Adventures in Babysitting (1987) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 6.9/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: Adventures in Babysitting
Quick Plot Summary: Adventures in Babysitting is a Comedy film that brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. When plans with her boyfriend fall through, high school senior Chris Parker ends up babysitting the Anderson kids, Brad and Sara. What should be a quiet night in, however, turns into a series of ridiculous exploits, starting when they leave the house to pick up Chris' friend Brenda. Soon, Brad's buddy Daryl is involved, and the group must contend with car thieves, blues musicians and much more. The film finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks and running gags that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Ending Explained: Adventures in Babysitting
Ending Breakdown: Adventures in Babysitting concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Adventures in Babysitting reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Adventures in Babysitting?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Box Office Collection: Adventures in Babysitting
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $7.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $34.4M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Adventures in Babysitting Budget
The estimated production budget for Adventures in Babysitting is $7.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Adventures in Babysitting
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Adventures in Babysitting Online?
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YouTubeFandango At HomeAdventures in Babysitting Parents Guide & Age Rating
1987 AdvisoryWondering about Adventures in Babysitting age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Adventures in Babysitting is 102 minutes (1h 42m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.9/10, and global performance metrics, Adventures in Babysitting is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1987 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Adventures in Babysitting worth watching?
Adventures in Babysitting is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 6.9/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Adventures in Babysitting parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Adventures in Babysitting identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Adventures in Babysitting?
The total duration of Adventures in Babysitting is 102 minutes, which is approximately 1h 42m long.
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How Adventures in Babysitting Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Adventures in Babysitting
RELEASED IN 1987 and directed by Chris Columbus, “Adventures in Babysitting” (aka "A Night on the Town") is a teen dramedy about 17 year-old babysitter, Chris (Elisabeth Shue), from the suburbs of Chicago who has no choice but to take the siblings she’s babysitting (Keith Coogan & Maia Brewton) and their friend (Anthony Rapp) into the big city whereupon they have many misadventures. Penelope Ann Miller plays Chris’ geeky friend (at the bus station), Calvin Levels a car thief, John Davis Chandler the main heavy and George Newbern a helpful college dude with eyes for Chris. I was surprised at how entertaining this movie is. It has the tone of an Indiana Jones flick, but with teen protagonists and taking place in a modern USA city. The Thor element was a unique surprise and the little girl is cute and spry. The protagonists are likable and you can sense the warmth in their relationships, e.g. Brad’s infatuation with Chris. Unfortunately, the movie fumbles the ball on the female front a little bit. There are quality women in the cast, for sure, but the director never milks these resources for their worth (and I’m not tawkin’ bout nudity or sleaze). Take Shue, for example (who was 21 during filming); she’s dressed in a looong sweater or jacket that covers her figure the entire film. Compare this with her role in “The Karate Kid” (1984) where her beauty is well displayed and tastefully so. THE FILM RUNS 1 hour & 42 minutes and was shot in Toronto and the Chicago area. WRITER: David Simkins GRADE: B+/A-
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This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
