Better Off Dead (film)

Better Off Dead
Theatrical release poster by Drew Struzan
Directed by	Savage Steve Holland
Written by	Savage Steve Holland
Produced by	Michael Jaffe
Starring	John Cusack David Ogden Stiers Diane Franklin Kim Darby
Cinematography	Isidore Mankofsky
Edited by	Alan Balsam
Music by	Rupert Hine
Production companies	A&M Films CBS Theatrical Films
Distributed by	Warner Bros.
Release date	August 23, 1985 (1985-08-23)
Running time	97 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$3.5 million
Box office	$10.3 million

Better Off Dead is a 1985 American black comedy film written and directed by Savage Steve Holland. It stars John Cusack as high school student Lane Meyer, who becomes suicidal after his girlfriend breaks up with him shortly before Christmas.

Initially met with mixed to negative reviews on release, it has since developed a cult following for its unconventionally surreal and absurdist humor.