Adventures in Babysitting
A stranded teenage babysitter leads three children through a wildly dangerous Chicago night that turns reluctant responsibility into comic adventure.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- breezy
- energetic
- lazy sunday
- 1980s nostalgia night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film sweet, energetic, and amiable, while noting unrealized social possibilities and limited awareness.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Chris and the children leave their safe suburban surroundings for a dangerous, unpredictable night in downtown Chicago.
The babysitter and children encounter car thieves, a chop shop, a criminal gang, and a blues club during a comic night of danger.
Chris must protect three children while rescuing Brenda and managing increasingly serious problems far from home.
The entire expedition unfolds as an unexpectedly eventful night that repeatedly raises the stakes of a simple babysitting job.
Films like Adventures in Babysitting, and why
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
shared teen misadventure structure, suburban protagonists, escalating urban chaos, and buoyant 1980s comedy
Risky Business
shared teenage fish out of water premise, nightlong urban escapades, comic danger, and coming-of-age energy
The Goonies
shared youthful protagonists, improvised adventure, comic peril, and warm ensemble chemistry
The Baby-Sitters Club
shared babysitting premise, child-centered chaos, and fast-moving family-friendly adventure comedy
Movie Details
- Director
- Chris Columbus
- Release Date
- 1987-07-01
- Runtime
- 102 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (797)
Cast
- Elisabeth Shue
- Keith Coogan
- Maia Brewton
- Anthony Rapp
- John Davis Chandler
- Calvin Levels
- Penelope Ann Miller
- George Newbern
- John Ford Noonan
- Bradley Whitford
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Disney Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Adventures in Babysitting about?
- A stranded teenage babysitter leads three children through a wildly dangerous Chicago night that turns reluctant responsibility into comic adventure.
- What is Adventures in Babysitting like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Adventures in Babysitting as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Adventures in Babysitting violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Adventures in Babysitting as mild.
- What did critics think of Adventures in Babysitting?
- Critics broadly found the film sweet, energetic, and amiable, while noting unrealized social possibilities and limited awareness.
- Which films are like Adventures in Babysitting?
- Films with a similar feel include Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Risky Business, The Goonies, and The Baby-Sitters Club.
- How long is Adventures in Babysitting?
- Adventures in Babysitting runs 102 minutes.
- Where can I watch Adventures in Babysitting?
- In United States, Adventures in Babysitting streams on Disney Plus.
