Actor, Singer, Songwriter, Filmmaker, and writer; Adam Sandler dons many hats. No matter what the critics say, Adam Sandler is an audience favourite. Starting Billy Madison 1995, he has appeared in 18 films, each of which has earned more than $100 million worldwide.
It’s safe to say that Adam Sandler is a bit of a polarizing figure in the world of film. You either love him, or you hate him. There doesn’t seem to be much middle ground. But whether you’re a fan of his work or not, there’s no denying that he’s had some great films over the course of his career.
In this blog post, we’ll be counting down the best Adam Sandler movies. From light-hearted comedies to more serious fare, there’s something for everyone on this list. So sit back, relax, and enjoy a walk down memory lane with some of the best Adam Sandler movies.
1. Why is Adam Sandler an Audience Favorite?
From Saturday Night Live to Uncut Gems, Adam Sandler has come a long way as an actor. He started as a comedian on Saturday Night Live and has since become one of Hollywood’s most successful comedic actors.
His films have grossed over $3 billion worldwide, and he has starred in some of the most popular comedies of the past few decades, including Happy Gilmore, The Waterboy, Big Daddy, and Grown Ups.
Sandler’s transformation from comedian to dramatic actor began with his role in Punch Drunk Love, for which he received critical acclaim.
He has since gone on to star in a number of films that require a more serious performance, such as Spanglish, Funny People, Reign Over Me, and Men, Women & Children. Sandler proved his dramatic chops once again with his starring role in Uncut Gems, for which he received rave reviews and was even nominated for a Golden Globe.
Whether he’s making you laugh or making you think, Adam Sandler is one of the most versatile actors working today. Check out our list of his 15 best movies below.
2. 15 Best Adam Sandler Movies
Sandler’s movies are filled with laughs and are always entertaining. He has a unique style of comedy that is loved by millions.
He is someone who always puts a smile on your face and is always worth watching. From classics like Billy Madison to more recent hits like Uncut Gems, these are the 15 best Adam Sandler movies you need to see.
2.1 The Waterboy
In The Waterboy, Sandler stars as Bobby Boucher, a water boy for a college football team who has never really left his small Louisiana town.
After being fired, he takes a job at a local farm where he meets and falls in love with the owner’s daughter, Vicki. Bobby’s newfound happiness is short-lived when Vicki’s father finds out about their relationship and forbids them from seeing each other.
Bobby decides to leave home and go to live with his Uncle Mongo, who runs a wrestling school in New York City. There, Bobby meets Otto, a former wrestler who agrees to train him. With Otto’s help, Bobby learns how to wrestle and eventually becomes a professional wrestler known as The Waterboy.
While The Waterboy may not be one of Sandler’s best comedies, it is an enjoyable film with some laughs.
One of the funniest scenes in The Waterboy is when Bobby fights with a referee during a football game. He is so angry that he doesn’t even realize that he’s covered in mud from head to toe. It’s a hilarious moment that had audiences rolling on the floor laughing.
Sandler co-wrote the film with Tim Herlihy. The Frank Coraci-directed movie stars Fairuza Balk, Jerry Reed, Henry Winkler, and Rob Schneider in the lead roles.
Sandler said he was open to producing a sequel to The Waterboy in September 2022. Even though the actor admitted that he hasn’t yet worked out the plot, he was excited to return to the lead role at some point.
2.2 The Wedding Singer (1998)
Another Frank Coraci film by Tim Herlihy, The Wedding Singer, stars Adam Sandler as a wedding singer who falls in love with Julia Sullivan, a bride-to-be. The movie stars Alexis Arquette, Angela Featherstone, Christine Taylor, Drew Barrymore, and Steve Buscemi. The movie marked the first pairing of Sandler and Drew Barrymore, who gave some electric performances in movies like Blended and 50 First Dates.
Robbie Hart (Adam Sandler), a wedding singer in Ridgefield, New Jersey, is prepared to wed Linda. Meanwhile, one day, he runs across waitress Julia Sullivan in the reception hall where he works. Hart promises to perform at her wedding. However, Julia’s fiancé is cheating on her.
The movie was a hit with critics and audiences and is considered one of Sandler’s best comedies. The movie is set in the 1980s. Its music was much appreciated. It is one of Sandler’s most heartfelt and charming performances, and the film is an utter delight.
2.3 Happy Gilmore
Happy Gilmore is one of Adam Sandler’s funniest movies. It tells the story of a man who discovers that he has a talent for golf and decides to become a professional player.
The film is filled with hilarious scenes and quotable lines. It also has a great soundtrack featuring songs by artists like Green Day and Bob Dylan. Even Adam’s pals Bob Barker helped him with this movie.
While many of Sandler’s movies are full of crude humor, plenty of moments will have you laughing out loud. Happy Gilmore features one of the funniest scenes from Adam Sandler’s movies: When Happy Gilmore first tries to play golf, he has no idea how to swing a club.
However, he quickly learns he can hit the ball hard by using his hockey skills. This scene is funny and endearing as we watch Happy struggle to learn a new game. The film has developed a cult following in the golf community.
Sandler and his writing partner Tim Herlihy wrote the film’s script. Apart from Sandler, it also features Julie Bowen, Carl Weathers, and Christopher McDonald.
Sandler said he intends to make a sequel in September 2022 finally. The actor said the character would take part in a senior golf tour, adding that he has been brainstorming ideas for a sequel.
2.4 Big Daddy
Another Tim Herlihy and Adam Sandler collaboration, Big Daddy stars Sandler, Joey Lauren Adams, Jon Stewart, Rob Schneider, Dylan and Cole Sprouse and Leslie Mann. It is one of his funniest and most touching films.
The story revolves around 32-year-old law school graduate Sonny Koufax, who his lover ditches for refusing to take responsibility.
Then, Sonny tries to behave responsibly by adopting Julian, a five-year-old boy who shows up on his doorstep after his mother dies. The film is full of hilarious scenes but also has a lot of heart. Sandler’s performance is great, and the film is sure to make you laugh and cry.
The director, screenwriter, Sandler’s best buddy Rob Schneider, and his wife, Jackie Sandler, all had cameo appearances in the movie. Jackie was featured as the waitress who served root beer to Julian (Cole and Dylan Sprouse). This began the tradition of having wife cameos; Jackie now appears in practically every Adam Sandler movie.
Big Daddy gained notoriety for its absurd opening credits, which read: This movie is dedicated to our fathers. Thanks for putting up with all our crap. We love you.
The movie is well-known to have won director Paul Thomas Anderson over, who counts it among his favorites.
2.5 Mr. Deeds
Most people think of Adam Sandler and his early comedy classics like Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore. But one of his best films is 2002’s Mr. Deeds, in which he plays a small-town man who inherits a billion-dollar corporation.
Sandler is at his finest in this film, playing a simple man, Longfellow Deeds, who is thrust into the world of big business and has to navigate through all the greed and corruption that comes with it.
Deeds is a pizzeria owner and poet whose world turns upside down when his uncle Preston Blake, a media baron dies leaving him a fortune of $40 billion.
The supporting cast is also excellent, including Winona Ryder as Deeds’ love interest and John Turturro as the slimy CEO of the corporation.
Rob Schneider, Sandler’s best friend, returned to play the delivery driver role, the same character he played in Big Daddy. Steven Brill directed the movie.
If you’re looking for a heartwarming comedy with plenty of laughs, then Mr. Deeds is the perfect Adam Sandler movie.
2.6 Punch Drunk Love
In Punch Drunk Love, Sandler stars as Barry Egan, a man with severe anxiety, anger management issues, and OCD who develops an obsession with phone sex operator Lena Leonard (played by Emily Watson), who an abusive ex-boyfriend is threatening.
Barry is a bachelor who runs a business that sells novelty things like themed toilet plungers. He leads an isolated life marked by anger outbursts and social anxiety since he has seven controlling sisters who frequently make fun of and emotionally abuse him.
The film also features Philip Seymour Hoffman, Luis Guzman, and Mary Lynn Rajskub. Touted as one of Sandler’s best films, Punch Drunk Love (2002), was directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. It’s a quirky and offbeat romantic comedy. Punch Drunk Love is weird and wonderful, and Sandler is terrific in it.
Though the film was a box office bomb, it was nominated for Palme d’Or, at the Cannes International Film Festival and director Paul Thomas Anderson won the Best Director award at the same festival. Meanwhile, Sandler’s performance won him a Best Actor Golden Globe nomination.
2.7 Spanglish
In Spanglish, Adam Sandler features as John Clasky, a successful chef who hires a beautiful Mexican woman named Flor (played by Paz Vega) to be his housekeeper.
Flor is a single mother to twelve-year-old Cristina ( played by Shelbie Bruce) , and has moved to Los Angele n search of a better life. The two quickly develop a close bond, but their language barrier leads to some hilarious misunderstandings.
The film also features Téa Leoni as John’s wife Deborah, and Sarah Steele as their daughter Bernice.
Spanglish is one of Adam Sandler’s funniest and most heartwarming films. The chemistry between Sandler and Vega is undeniable, and the film’s clever use of both English and Spanish makes for some truly laugh-out-loud moments.
If you’re a fan of Adam Sandler, or just looking for a feel-good comedy, Spanglish is definitely worth checking out. The rom-com is written and directed by James L. Brooks. It is also noted for its musical score by Hans Zimmer.
Brooks had held 13 preview shows to gauge the audience reaction, and taking audience feedback, two new scenes were added to the climax that many found unsatisfactory.
2.8 Click
Click is a 2006 American science fiction comedy-drama film written by Steve Koren and Mark O’Keefe, and directed by Frank Coraci.
The film stars Adam Sandler as Michael Newman, a man who finds a universal remote control that allows him to fast forward and rewind to different parts of his life and control reality.
The film also features Kate Beckinsale as Donna Newman, Michael’s wife; Christopher Walken as Morty, Michael’s father-in-law; David Hasselhoff as himself; and Henry Winkler as Mr. Futch, Michael’s boss.
Director Frank Coraci makes a cameo appearance as the nurse who tries to sedate Michael in the hospital but sedates himself instead.
Columbia Pictures, who made Click on a budget of $82.5 million, grossed $240.7 million. The film also won Favorite Movie Comedy at the 33rd People’s Choice Awards.
2.9 Uncut Gems
In Uncut Gems, Sandler stars as a New York City jeweler who makes a series of risky decisions in an effort to pay off his debts. The film was directed by brothers Benny and Josh Safdie, and also features Idina Menzel and Lakeith Stanfield.
Uncut Gems is a wild ride from start to finish, with Sandler giving one of his career’s most unhinged and unpredictable performances.
This is it if you’re looking for a movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The movie uses the word “fuck” 560 times– the 4th highest in film history.
After reading the script and watching Good Time, Adam Sandler’s wife persuaded him to accept the part. Sandler’s performance, touted as his best by the critics, won the Best Actor award by the National Board of Review.
For the part, Adam Sandler wore dentures and a prosthetic black mole on his right cheek.
2.10 Funny People
In this Judd Apatow-directed flick, Sandler plays a successful comedian who is diagnosed with cancer and must reassess his life.
Funny People features Adam Sandler as George Simmons is a seasoned stand-up comedian and actor. Diagnosed with a terminal illness, he employs newbie comedian Ira Wright as his friend and assistant and embarks on a journey to develop him into a professional.
Adam Sandler essays the role of George Simmons. The movie also stars Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann and Eric Bana.
The soundtrack to the movie includes songs from each of The Beatles’ solo albums. At roughly the film’s midway point, Sandler plays a rendition of John Lennon’s song “Real Love” during his paid jam session.
2.11 50 First Dates
In this heartwarming romantic comedy, Adam Sandler plays Henry, a marine veterinarian who falls for Lucy, an art teacher. Lucy, played by Drew Barrymore, has short-term memory loss. Henry must find creative ways to make every day feel like their first date.
50 First Dates is a favorite among romcom fans and was remade in many languages. The movie directed by Peter Segal stars Rob Schneider, Andy Samberg, Sean Astin and Dan Aykroyd in supporting roles.
The MTV Movie & TV Awards presented Sandler and Barrymore with the Best On-Screen Team award. The movie is loved by Adam Sandler fans for one more reason.
It is dedicated to his father Stan Sandler, who passed away while the movie was being made.
2.12 Grown Ups
Adam Sandler’s early career is defined by his work in comedies like Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore. While fans still love these movies, Sandler has also shown his range as an actor in more recent years.
In the 2010s, he starred in several hit movies, including Grown Ups and Pixels. Grown Ups directed by Dennis Dugan, was co-written by Sandler and Fred Wolf, and stars Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider, Salma Hayek, Maria Bello, and Maya Rudolph.
The 2010 comedy follows a group of childhood friends who reunite after the death of their basketball coach. After thirty years, each of them has grown up to be an adult with issues and difficulties:
Marcus is an alcoholic. Rob has three daughters whom he doesn’t often see. Eric is unemployed and overweight.
Kurt’s wife and mother-in-law pick on him for being a househusband. Lenny’s two sons take their status for granted, with three children and a prominent Hollywood agent for a wife. Watch the movie to figure out where this reunion is headed.
The movie was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $271 million at the box office. It has a sequel Grown Ups 2.
2.13 Murder Mystery
A comedy mystery directed by Kyle Newacheck and written by James Vanderbilt, Murder Mystery stars Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, and Luke Evans.
The film centers on a married couple who become embroiled in a homicide investigation on a billionaire’s yacht. Nick Spitz (played by Adam Sandler) is a police officer and his wife Audrey (played by Jennifer Aniston) is a hairdresser in New York.
As Nick had vowed at their wedding, Audrey desires to go to Europe but believes they would never be able to.
After their 15th wedding anniversary party, Audrey and Nick leave for Europe. Audrey meets billionaire Charles Cavendish on the plane, and the two of them are invited to a party on his family yacht to celebrate the impending nuptials of Charles’s elderly uncle. However, things don’t go as planned.
Murder Mystery is the fifth-most-watched Netflix original movie. It was revealed in October 2019 that Sandler and Aniston would be returning for a sequel.
The filming of Murder Mystery 2 is set in Paris and the Caribbean. Jeremy Garelick was brought on board in August 2021 to serve as director and revise the script.
2.14 Billy Madison
Billy Madison is an American comedy film released in 1995 starring Adam Sandler as the titular character shot with Happy madison productions.
It is Directed by Tamra Davis, written by Tim Herlihy, and produced by Robert Simonds. The film follows Billy, a 27-year-old man whose father orders, Brian (Darren McGavin), to repeat all 12 grades of schooling to receive his inheritance.
The film was a box office success, grossing $26.4 million in its opening weekend and $127 million worldwide.
In one scene from Billy Madison, Adam Sandler’s character tries to teach a group of elementary school students about math. However, he quickly realizes they are not interested in what he’s saying. So, he starts making up funny stories about dinosaurs, much to their amusement.
2.15 The Meyerowitz Stories
American comedy-drama The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected), directed and written by Noah Baumbach, was released in 2017.
The movie, which features Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman, Elizabeth Marvel, and Emma Thompson, centers on a dysfunctional set of adult siblings who are attempting to live in their father’s shadow.
The film was much appreciated for Noah’s direction and the performances of Sandler and Elizabeth Marvel. At the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, The Meyerowitz Stories was chosen to compete for the Palme d’Or in the main competition section and earned the Palm Dog award.
Closing Thoughts
One of Adam Sandler’s movies is sure to deliver if you’re in the mood for a good laugh. adam sandler character been making comedies since the early ’90s, and while some are better than others, they’re all worth watching if you’re a fan of his brand of humor.
Some of comedic sandler films include “Happy Gilmore,” “The Waterboy,” “Big Daddy,” “50 First Dates,” and “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan (2008).” If you’re looking for a more sentimental comedy, try “Click” or “Punch-Drunk Love.” And if you want to see Sandler at his most ridiculous, check out “Grown Ups” or “That’s My Boy.”
No matter what kind of movie you’re in the mood for, there’s an adam sandler’s career film that will fit the bill. So go ahead and try one of his comedies – you won’t be disappointed.
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