Better Off Dead...
“Insanity doesn't run in the family, it gallops.”
Synopsis
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.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Better Off Dead... (1985) ORIGINAL TRAILER [HD 1080p]
Type: Trailer • Published 2018-11-08
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →
John Cusack
Lane Meyer
Amanda Wyss
Beth Truss
Diane Franklin
Monique Junot
Aaron Dozier
Roy Stalin
Curtis Armstrong
Charles De Mar
David Ogden Stiers
Al Meyer
Kim Darby
Jenny Meyer
Demian Slade
Johnny Gasparini
Laura Waterbury
Mrs. Smith
Dan Schneider
Ricky Smith
Yuji Okumoto
Yee Sook Ree
Brian Imada
Chen Ree
Scooter Stevens
Badger Meyer
Chuck Mitchell
Rocko
Frank Burt Avalon
Roy's Ski Buddy #1
Vincent Schiavelli
Mr. Kerber
Taylor Negron
Mailman
E. G. Daily
Elizabeth Daily
Release History & Theatrical Window
August 23, 1985
Wide Cinema Exhibition
January 1, 1997
Physical Home Media
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$3.5M
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$10.3M
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
2.94x
+$6.8M net gain
Theatrical Status
Profitable
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Savage Steve Holland
- Screenplay & Story
- Savage Steve Holland
- Original Score
- Rupert Hine
- Original Title
- Better Off Dead...
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 37m
- Production Budget
- $3.5M
- Worldwide Gross
- $10.3M
- Production Studios
- A&M Films, CBS Theatrical Films
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Savage Steve Holland
Savage Steve Holland
Rupert Hine
Isidore Mankofsky, Frank M. Holgate
Alan Balsam
Gil Friesen, Michael Jaffe, Andrew Meyer
Department Leadership Roster
Savage Steve Holland
Writer
Savage Steve Holland
Director
Herman F. Zimmerman
Production Design
Rupert Hine
Original Music Composer
Isidore Mankofsky
Director of Photography
Brad R. Loman
Costume Design
Michael Jaffe
Producer
Alan Balsam
Editor
Fred Lerner
Stunt Coordinator
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
PG: Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
International Certification Matrix
Parental Guidance — Recommended for mature viewers.
Suitable only for 15 years and over.
Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Better Off Dead....
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Better Off Dead....
My Movies
Master List In Progress
Essential Comedy
Movies That I have watched all
All of my ratings are the movies that I have seen.
Movies
Comedy
80's-90's rare stuff
80 and 90 and sometime 70's too
Similar Titles to Better Off Dead...
Movies sharing stylistic DNA, tone, and thematic storytelling
5.9
6.4
5.9
10.0
5.2
6.4
5.5
4.8
6.3
7.6
7.6
7.3
6.7
6.9
6.7
6.4
6.6
5.8
6.5
6.6
More Like Better Off Dead...
Recommended titles matching themes, cast, and genres.
Frequently Asked Questions About Better Off Dead...
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Better Off Dead... 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.
Who directed Better Off Dead...?
Better Off Dead... was directed by Savage Steve Holland.
Who stars in Better Off Dead...?
The principal cast of Better Off Dead... includes John Cusack, Amanda Wyss, Diane Franklin, Aaron Dozier, Curtis Armstrong.
When was Better Off Dead... released and how long is it?
Better Off Dead... was released in 1985 with a total runtime of 1h 37m.
What was the box office and production budget of Better Off Dead...?
Better Off Dead... had a reported production budget of $3.5M and grossed $10.3M at the worldwide box office (2.94 return on budget, classified as a commercial hit).
Who composed the musical score for Better Off Dead...?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Better Off Dead... was composed by Rupert Hine.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Better Off Dead...?
Better Off Dead... holds official age classifications: AU: PG (Parental Guidance — Recommended for mature viewers.); GB: 15 (Suitable only for 15 years and over.); US: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.).