Unfortunately, only about half of the many jokes and gags in the film are actually funny.
Comment
07/24/07
Better Off Dead (1985)
81
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
Reviews Counted:21
Fresh:17
Rotten:4
Average Rating:7/10
Consensus: Better Off Dead is an anarchic mix of black humor and surreal comedy, anchored by John Cusack's winsome, charming performance.
Runtime: 1 hr 38 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: Lane Myer's (John Cusack) dreams are shattered when his girlfriend Beth (Amanda Wyss) decides she prefers the company of a sleazy ski jock over his own. This disheartening news leads Lane to... [More]
Starring: John Cusack, Curtis Armstrong, David Ogden Stiers, Amanda Wyss
Director: Steve Holland
Reviews for Better Off Dead
perhaps the greatest movie of all time
07/19/07
Hilarious and brilliantly deadpan.
09/23/06
No review available.
05/15/06
I've rarely met anyone who didn't secretly love it passionately.
12/06/05
No review available.
08/21/05
No review available.
03/08/05
Forget Citizen Kane. As a matter of history, this seminal film is unquestionably the finest work of cinema ever made. Required viewing for all students and fans of the art form.
08/12/03
strives to be offbeat and sometimes works itself into a sweat doing so. The humor often hits the bullseye, however...
07/31/03
Better Off Dead's charm stems from its imagination and attitude.
07/10/03
The film doesn't seem to have much of a focus. But it doesn't seem to want one, either.
05/20/03
Top CriticJohn Cusack launched his career as a lovable loser at love with this teen comedy about a guy who gets dumped when his girlfriend decides to trade up.
03/10/03
No review available.
11/13/02
No review available.
09/12/02
No review available.
08/30/02
A unique, kooky gem.
08/08/02
Although the plot is sweet and simple, the laughs are what make this movie stand out.
08/08/02
It's a sure bet you're gonna have fun.
08/08/02
Latest News for Better Off Dead
February 21, 2006:
Bob Clark Gets "Spring Broke" while Stern Readies "Porky's" Redo
Director Bob Clark ("Porky's," "A Christmas Story") has announced that he will go back to his teen-sex-comedy roots to direct "Spring Broke," which... More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Fresh Links
Featured
RT on YouTube 
Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.
RT on Twitter
Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.
IGN RSS Feeds