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Better Off Dead...
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Better Off Dead...

1985
Romance
Comedy
1h 37m
A teenager has to deal with his girlfriend dumping him among family crises, homicidal paper boys, and a rival skier. (imdb)
Directed by:
Savage Steve Holland Savage Steve Holland
Written by:
Savage Steve Holland Savage Steve Holland
Starring:
David Ogden Stiers David Ogden Stiers John Cusack John Cusack Taylor Negron Taylor Negron Vincent Schiavelli Vincent Schiavelli Amanda Wyss Amanda Wyss Kim Darby Demian Slade Scooter Stevens Diane Franklin Diane Franklin Curtis Armstrong Curtis Armstrong Dan Schneider
More
Genres:
Romance, Comedy
Country:
USA
Language:
English
imdb More information at IMDb
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Better Off Dead...

1985
Romance
Comedy
1h 37m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 55.87% from 1043 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

(1043)
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beedubBeeDub
Rated 02 Aug 2020
92
84th
Surreal, absurd, and hilarious '80s teen comedy packed with memorable characters and quotes. When the movie's most romantic scene involves claymation hamburgers (and it actually works), you know you're watching something special.
Rated 02 Aug 2020
paxtonPaxton
Rated 11 Mar 2013
100
99th
I could not love this movie more. There are so many great characters, and true to life situations. If you've ever gone through a break-up, you'll relate to the cold nature of an ex, the new boyfriend, and little things like only hearing break-up songs on the radio. Amanda Wyss is so bitchy as his ex-girlfriend that I almost always follow this movie with a skip to her horrible murder in Nightmare on Elm Street. But, then again, I'm a sentimental guy.
Rated 11 Mar 2013
joseywalesjoseywales
Rated 22 Sep 2008
71
60th
"Now its a real shame when people be throwing away a perfectly good white boy like that."
Rated 22 Sep 2008
groovysoulsGroovy_Souls
Rated 16 Mar 2020
80
73rd
Oh man, I actually really liked this. It's kind of a precursor to movies like Ferris Bueller. Strange absurdist comedy with a style and attitude that are pure 80's. I don't think there were a lot of movies that were this good at predicting the comedy of the 00's and 10's back then, but Better Off Dead does a pretty good job, all while making itself memorable enough to be remembered nowadays.
Rated 16 Mar 2020
battletoadBattleToad
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
76th
Better Off Dead is a very interesting and unique comedy. It's very strange at times with a lot of very surreal moments, but it's very funny. John Cusack fans will love him as the uneasy, nearly-suicidal teen with a crazy family and other absurd problems. Really good!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
desertpunkDesertPunk
Rated 23 May 2013
86
89th
This movie is pure, unleaded 80's comedy with an amazing touch of surrealism and absurdity. John Cusack is great when he's able to take himself less seriously, and this is a good example. Goofy fun.
Rated 23 May 2013
recklessmessrecklessmess
Rated 02 Nov 2023
88
94th
This movie got me through high school, and while I love John Cusack, I have to wonder about his beef with it. He walked out at the premier because it wasn't the movie he thought he was making. What movie did he think he was making? Was he like Danny from the Shining, who had no idea it was a horror flick? Come on John, Booger is your best friend and he's snorting real snow. WTF
Rated 02 Nov 2023
vheujgevheujge
Rated 03 Jun 2011
50
30th
There are a few amusing moments (like the ways that the main character's suicide attempts are interrupted), but for the most part this is just average. The movie also has a superficial message that makes every ugly person a 'bad guy'...which makes me wonder if the writers had the mindsets of cliche high school jocks themselves. And the main character is more annoying than sympathetic.
Rated 03 Jun 2011
saucyjacksaucyjack
Rated 04 Jun 2007
74
56th
One of the many great teen movies Cusack made in the 80s.
Rated 04 Jun 2007
actionbergActionberg
Rated 14 Aug 2007
65
38th
This is pure snow!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
movieguy1920movieguy1920
Rated 14 Aug 2007
86
46th
I more than "enjoyed" this film. This movie set the tone for my teenage years in High School.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
ofallpiecesofallpieces
Rated 13 Jun 2008
67
20th
We actually watched this in my ninth grade English class. I wasn't ever sure why we watched it, but it was entertaining and you have to love the scene where John's character attempts to hang himself.
Rated 13 Jun 2008
fudgiebfudgieb
Rated 12 Aug 2009
95
89th
One of the great movies of the 1980's. So familiar yet so original and strange. This is the one that really made Cusack a star and it is so full of memorable lines, images, and characters that it could never get all of the credit it deserves.
Rated 12 Aug 2009
lifeandalllifeandall
Rated 18 May 2007
45
12th
I would have been "better off" seeing a different movie. I'm not sure which element was the worst: the psycho newspaper boy, the Asian racing announcers, or the dancing cheeseburgers. Either way, this movie depended on lots of cheap gimmicks to try and get through the story, and it still didn't work.
Rated 18 May 2007
thedenizenTheDenizen
Rated 31 Jan 2008
60
40th
Wacky teen comedy/fantasy. Pretty formulaic, but Cusack is JUST charismatic enough to carry it off.
Rated 31 Jan 2008
dziekieldziekiel
Rated 16 Dec 2008
90
52nd
Vintage 80's comedy. Cusack and Booger at their best. Very quotable, very funny.
Rated 16 Dec 2008
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 12 Dec 2006
32
1st
Not my kind of humor, I guess. There are too many non-sequitors and too much absurdity simply for its own sake.
Rated 12 Dec 2006
wetwillieswetwillies
Rated 26 Sep 2011
90
80th
This zany teen comedy is one of the best from the 80's. What other movie can claim to have a threatening paperboy, singing hamburgers and a Japanese guy that speaks Howard Cosell? (two times)
Rated 26 Sep 2011
hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 21 Sep 2010
68
65th
While obviously dated and flawed I loved Cusack and the overwhelming strangeness of the film.
Rated 21 Sep 2010
rubbersocksrubbersocks
Rated 12 Feb 2012
90
12th
Most Under-Rated 80's Comedy
Rated 12 Feb 2012
pyrosexualpyrosexual
Rated 06 Jan 2016
75
43rd
Apparently Cusack didn't like this movie and told Savage Steve Holland he would never trust him as a director again after seeing it. However, I would say there's nothing really lacking in the direction, cinematography, or editing. The only thing that's glaringly subpar is Cusack's performance and I'm pretty unconvinced there's a director alive that can make that guy's acting seem adequate. In spite of his lameness this still might be one of my top 3 80's teen comedies, for what that's worth.
Rated 06 Jan 2016
yiannosYiannos
Rated 19 Mar 2017
45
13th
Cusack's 80's comedies hit the right nostalgic buttons for certain Gen X's, but Better Off Dead did not stand the test of time for this viewer. It is easy to appreciate Holland's vision; even by 80's standards it has some pretty offbeat elements, but his lack of experience shows, and the slightly surreal moments seem more childish than clever and clash with the utterly conventional coming of age story. Cusack plays awkward adolescence well, but the lame screenplay betrays him at every turn.
Rated 19 Mar 2017
murravenerMurravener
Rated 19 Mar 2008
82
69th
Another well done film by Cusack. Although it isn't one of his more serious films to date it was very fun to watch and just shows another element of a very likable actor.
Rated 19 Mar 2008
braddad68braddad68
Rated 05 Sep 2012
85
15th
Just quirky and original enough to land a higher rating. John Cusack shows moments of a very good physical comedian here as well.
Rated 05 Sep 2012
perrystroikaPerryStroika
Rated 03 Oct 2020
59
36th
In the canon of 80's teen comedies, I put this sweetly goofy movie ahead of any of John Hughes' overrated oeuvre, but behind Cusack's other vehicles like The Sure Thing or Say Anything.
Rated 03 Oct 2020
bryan314bryan314
Rated 28 Oct 2007
97
96th
"Gee, I'm real sorry your mom blew up, Ricky."
Rated 28 Oct 2007
bellamyrbellamyr
Rated 03 Jun 2010
41
16th
The title says it all ..
Rated 03 Jun 2010
m3tanm3tan
Rated 08 May 2014
45
37th
Meh. Never a John Cusack fan. Didn't love it when it came out and now it's dated too.
Rated 08 May 2014
thegrayghostthegrayghost
Rated 10 Jun 2009
90
90th
That paperboy is tenacious!
Rated 10 Jun 2009
mdenuzziomdenuzzio
Rated 14 Aug 2007
87
79th
Cute teen flick
Rated 14 Aug 2007
stainStain
Rated 06 Jun 2007
0
8th
Totally witless teenager movie. As if there weren't enough totally witless teenager movies
Rated 06 Jun 2007
war_machineWar Machine
Rated 13 May 2022
75
65th
Lolboilbacon+lolobsessed+boththoughtsomethinginnose:P+trynabang/tiresstolen:P+lolhisdrawingdiss+lolfallsherclothesoff+singersoundslikeEGdaily+evenbarneygumbleaskintotakeoutex:P+asianlearnedenglishfromsports:P+frenchexchangeneighborgirl/helpsski+bikekidkeepstrynaget$2lool+winsbutgoestoex+backtoher
Rated 13 May 2022
stflyst_fly
Rated 24 Aug 2007
65
60th
Good
Rated 24 Aug 2007
croweycrowey
Rated 18 Nov 2021
65
54th
Singing hamburgers make this a keeper.
Rated 18 Nov 2021
bizortbizort
Rated 15 May 2018
44
20th
It gets some points for trying to be strange and somewhat different, I suppose, but it's just boring
Rated 15 May 2018
fenixdownfenixdown
Rated 04 May 2014
77
62nd
Ferris Bueller's redneck cousin. TWO DOLLARS!
Rated 04 May 2014
easydiffeasydiff
Rated 19 Apr 2007
79
87th
"Savage" Steve Holland really should've gotten famous over this.
Rated 19 Apr 2007
ashwilliamsAshWilliams
Rated 02 Dec 2008
80
65th
Outrageously good 80's comedy with a dozens of inspired moments. You have to love this buy-time excuse: "My little brother got his arm stuck in the microwave. So my mom had to take him to the hospital. My grandma dropped acid this morning, and she freaked out. She hijacked a busload of penguins. So it's sort of a family crisis. Bye!"
Rated 02 Dec 2008
ytadelYtadel
Rated 23 Nov 2007
5
57th
It bleeds 80s from every orifice, but the retro vibe, the surrealism, the black comedy, and John Cusack keep things really lively and funny.
Rated 23 Nov 2007
jenks101jenks101
Rated 25 Sep 2008
89
76th
More than 20 years later, and this movie still makes me laugh!
Rated 25 Sep 2008
spikycactusSpikyCactus
Rated 31 Mar 2019
75
65th
Top badass moment? French exchange student Monique invents the sport of lemon throwing, the point of which seems to be to destroy road signs. With hindsight I can see why it never made it into the Olympics. A waste of lemons too, they cost 35p at Sainsbury’s. Incidentally, skiing is really boring. It takes ages to get to the start, all for a few moments of fun. A metaphor for life, it’s basically just a broken ankle waiting to happen. 1 cat (grey and fluffy), no chainsaws or decapitations.
Rated 31 Mar 2019
biedronskiBiedronski
Rated 22 Feb 2008
88
88th
Rediculously 80's movie. I've watched it so many times. there's just too many great characters in this movie. And the french girl was way hotter than John Cusack's other girl, so way to go
Rated 22 Feb 2008
beardmilkBeardMilk
Rated 04 Feb 2010
84
55th
Great oddball 80s cheese. I WANT MY TWO DOLLARS.
Rated 04 Feb 2010
kasperlKasperL
Rated 20 Oct 2017
40
19th
It's mostly rather awful, but I'll award it 10 extra points for being one of the weirder mainstream movies, I've seen.
Rated 20 Oct 2017
actlikealadyactlikealady
Rated 17 Nov 2012
85
76th
It's good. A classic 80s teen movie. Love the hamburger scene.
Rated 17 Nov 2012
chemical404chemical404
Rated 02 Sep 2011
61
62nd
Fun, sometimes absurd, teen movie romp. Gotta love blond villain jock whose name is Stalin. One of those movies best watched with a bowlful bong and some chocolate cookies.
Rated 02 Sep 2011
djfntstquedjfntstque
Rated 14 Aug 2007
82
76th
Cusack's funniest movie.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
gorejunkygorejunky
Rated 22 Aug 2010
90
66th
Classic teen comedy that holds up really well for a 25 year old movie. Extremely funny and clever cinematography from Savage Steve Holland. Look for some clever animation sequences as well.
Rated 22 Aug 2010
tinysausagetinysausage
Rated 16 Oct 2011
64
22nd
This is really quite a strange film, made in a very personal and often absurd style. They don't make 'em like this any more.
Rated 16 Oct 2011
psimpsim
Rated 29 Jun 2018
70
29th
A fun 80s romp that is surreal, funny and occasionally a bit too slapsticky.
Rated 29 Jun 2018
jimharshjimharsh
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
0th
Hilarious. Family Guy referenced it last week.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
ab_i_hayaAb-ı Haya
Rated 13 Mar 2022
75
43rd
Feb 26, 2021 Sarıgül
Rated 13 Mar 2022
thea70thea70
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
40th
"Two dollars!" -- Many of the jokes are beyond lame, but the ones that hit the mark still live in my memory and its been years since I've seen it.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
jakeaestheteJakeAesthete
Rated 09 Oct 2014
14
12th
Has a certain amount of charm as a "weird"/absurd/dark take on John Hughes' unabashed sentimentalism (although Heathers did the exact same thing much better), but for every cute idea there are like five awful gags like the Asian racers or the fucking bike kid (oh boy does that joke get old). Ultimately it feels kind of mean-spirited, like an underdog comedy that half sides with the bullies. Also, it could have used a lot more of the likable French girl...
Rated 09 Oct 2014
shmendrekShmendrek
Rated 23 Feb 2008
3
61st
At first glance, it looks like any other teen comedy from the 80s, but its absurd humor won me over.
Rated 23 Feb 2008
auritechauritech
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
83rd
Brilliantly absurd at moments which drags a bit in the last third of the film but is nonetheless a hilarious film.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
jsoundsJSounds
Rated 11 Apr 2023
70
55th
Actually really funny - although it feels like the main character's obsessive behaviour gets dropped halfway through the movie. it seems like a much bigger deal in the first 20 minutes but then he resumes to be a fairly normal teenager. But otherwise it's a good laugh.
Rated 11 Apr 2023
tvfilm_hubTV+Film-Hub
Rated 08 Sep 2010
7
40th
Fun movie. Much better than Say It Isn't So. Not great though. John Cusack really only got quiet idiotic roles after his first film.
Rated 08 Sep 2010
jeanie72Jeanie72
Rated 11 Jun 2007
77
37th
Silly...watch when you are down. You'll feel better afterwards. :)
Rated 11 Jun 2007
mechatiggerMechatigger
Rated 10 Dec 2009
71
50th
Imaginative, often funny teen comedy. Nothing new plotwise, but mix of low-key gags and broadly caricatured characters keep this peppy until a disappointingly conventional windup.
Rated 10 Dec 2009
nuotionuotio
Rated 31 Jan 2007
48
26th
This has a good reputation and I can see why, but the over the top style just didn't really work that well for me and most of the jokes were misses. For example, the animations took me away from the film and could have been scrapped. Cusack is being Cusack which is cool, and the script leans more towards black humor than your average 80's teen comedy which makes it stand out a bit, but it doesn't really go into e.g. Heathers territory and ends up following the same tired cliches as it's peers.
Rated 31 Jan 2007
dustydDustyd
Rated 16 Sep 2007
65
49th
Watchable 80's Cusack comedy.
Rated 16 Sep 2007
medikolaynmedikolayn
Rated 11 May 2017
83
84th
savage adadadadadad
Rated 11 May 2017

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