**A stupid teen comedy, but still funny enough.** Teenage films are not exactly my “cup of tea”, but I confess that this little comic film pleased me: after being abandoned by his girlfriend who, deep down, didn't like him and was just trying to be the girlfriend of the most popular boy in the neighborhood, a young…
6.6/10Comedy · Romance
Better Off Dead...
“Insanity doesn't run in the family, it gallops.”
- 1985
- 1h 37m
- PG
- EN
- Released
The story
What Better Off Dead... is about
High school student Lane Meyer sinks into suicidal depression when his girlfriend dumps him for jock Roy Stalin, the high school ski racing champion. Meanwhile, he has to deal with his eccentric family, a tenacious paperboy and an obnoxious neighbor whose mother is hosting a beautiful French exchange student named Monique.
Better Off Dead... is a comedy and romance film from 1985, directed by Savage Steve Holland. It runs 1h 37m and is rated PG in the US. It was produced by A&M Films and CBS Theatrical Films, with production in United States of America.
The main cast is led by John Cusack, Amanda Wyss, Diane Franklin, Aaron Dozier. The screenplay was written by Savage Steve Holland. Reported worldwide gross stands at $10.3M.
Why it matters: Better Off Dead... currently holds 6.6/10 from 575 TMDB user ratings and has taken $10.3M worldwide against a $3.5M budget. Figures move as more ratings and box-office updates arrive.
Editor’s note
Should you watch Better Off Dead...?
Better Off Dead... is best suited to a relaxed night. At 1h 37m, it fits a single evening without a break. The draw is John Cusack and Amanda Wyss, directed by Savage Steve Holland.
575 TMDB users have rated it 6.6/10. That is a solid sample, though scores can still move as more people watch.
TMDB tags the film with themes including duck, nerd, paperboy and suicidal.
The US certification is PG: suitable for most viewers, with some parental guidance for younger children.
If you like this, try Forrest Gump, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge or A Dog's Will.
Auto-generated from TMDB data (runtime, cast, ratings, keywords, certification). Last updated November 4, 2026.
Availability
Where to watch Better Off Dead...
30 official sources across 5 regions. Rows with a direct link open this exact title on the provider’s own site; the others open that provider’s own search for the title, where price, video quality and audio options are confirmed before you pay.
United States8 options
Rent
4 sources
Prime VideoWatch on Prime VideoOpen ↗
Apple TVOpen on Apple TVOpen ↗Google TV & PlayOpen on Google TVOpen ↗
YouTubeOpen on YouTubeOpen ↗Buy
4 sourcesPrime VideoWatch on Prime VideoOpen ↗Apple TVOpen on Apple TVOpen ↗Google TV & PlayOpen on Google TVOpen ↗YouTubeOpen on YouTubeOpen ↗United Kingdom6 options
Canada9 options
Stream
3 sources
fuboTVCheck optionsOpen ↗Rent
3 sourcesPrime VideoWatch on Prime VideoOpen ↗Apple TVOpen on Apple TVOpen ↗YouTubeOpen on YouTubeOpen ↗Buy
3 sourcesPrime VideoWatch on Prime VideoOpen ↗Apple TVOpen on Apple TVOpen ↗YouTubeOpen on YouTubeOpen ↗Australia6 options
India1 option
Checked 4 November 2026. Listings from TMDB / JustWatch data and they change daily; the provider page always shows the final price. Compare every option on JustWatch. MovieState links only to licensed services.
Who is in it
Better Off Dead... cast
Character names follow the film's credits. Open a name to see that person's other work on MovieState.
Behind the camera
Direction and crew
DirectorSavage Steve Holland
WritersSavage Steve Holland
ProducersAndrew Meyer, Gil Friesen
MusicRupert Hine
CinematographyIsidore Mankofsky
EditingAlan Balsam
Audience reaction
Ratings and reviews
6.6/10575 ratings
Better Off Dead... sits at 6.6 out of 10 from 575 user ratings. For context, the film's worldwide gross is $10.3M.
Scores show TMDB user ratings at the time of publishing and shift as new votes arrive.
The facts
Better Off Dead... key details
| Original title | Better Off Dead... |
|---|---|
| Status | Released |
| Release date | August 23, 1985 |
| Runtime | 1h 37m |
| Certification | PG in United States, 15 in United Kingdom |
| Original language | EN |
| Spoken languages | English |
| Country | United States of America |
| Budget | $3.5M |
| Worldwide gross | $10.3M |
| Studios | A&M Films, CBS Theatrical Films |
| Also known as | Sapore di hamburger, Jobb ha hulla vagy, やぶれかぶれ一発勝負 |
Release information
Release dates by country
| Country | Date | Cert |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Aug 23, 1985 | PG |
| United Kingdom | Jan 26, 1986 | 15 |
| Australia | Aug 21, 1986 | PG |
Official trailer for Better Off Dead..., via HD Retro Trailers. Open on YouTube
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Who directed Better Off Dead...?
Better Off Dead... was directed by Savage Steve Holland.
Who is in the cast of Better Off Dead...?
The main cast includes John Cusack, Amanda Wyss, Diane Franklin, Aaron Dozier, Curtis Armstrong.
How long is Better Off Dead...?
Better Off Dead... runs 1h 37m.
When was Better Off Dead... released?
It was released in the United States on August 23, 1985. Release dates vary by country — see the table above.
What is Better Off Dead... rated?
Certification depends on the country: PG in United States, 15 in United Kingdom. Always check your local rating before watching with family.
Where can I watch Better Off Dead... online?
Availability changes by region and by week. The table above lists the streaming, rental and purchase services reported for major markets. Check the provider page for today's price and quality.
Can I watch Better Off Dead... in HD or 4K?
Most digital stores offer Better Off Dead... in HD, and newer releases are often available in 4K. Check the quality label on the provider's page before you pay.
How much did Better Off Dead... earn?
Reported worldwide gross is $10.3M against a budget of $3.5M. Box office figures update over time.
Keep watching
More films like Better Off Dead...
Data sources: TMDB (titles, cast, crew, release dates, provider listings and user ratings). Availability and box office figures change over time; this page was last rebuilt on November 4, 2026. We publish information only; we do not host or stream video files.
Exact record pages: IMDb record · TMDB record
At a glance: Better Off Dead... runs 1h 37m, opened in US cinemas on August 23, 1985, has 30 licensed options across 5 regions tracked here.