Adam Sandler is often considered to be one of the funniest actors in Hollywood today. Whether he is in front of the camera, producing or writing Sandler has been involved in a handful of the most hilarious and heartwarming movies in recent memory. A majority of his films might not be the most critically acclaimed, but audiences still loved Sandler’s performance. Today on his birthday we are going to take a look at some of Sandler’s greatest films and (regardless if the critics liked them) if they are worth watching.
Billy Madison. While he had acted for a long time prior to this 1995 film, it is often regarded as Sandler’s first major staring hit. He stars as Billy Madison, an irresponsible young heir to a Fortune 500 hotel company. When it is revealed he didn’t really pass school (any of them) and his father is considering passing him over for a greedy company man, Billy decides to enroll back in school and complete all 12 grades to prove he can take over the company. Much like most of his films on this list (and some that are not) this was not well liked by critics. That being said audiences loved the movie and Sandler’s film career has not slowed down.
Happy Gilmore. Some could almost easily compare this with Billy Madison, but this 1996 film still has its moments. Sandler plays Happy Gilmore, a hockey obsessed man who discovers his talent for golf. When his grandmother’s home is being repossessed Happy joins the Pro Golf Tour to earn enough money to help her; however his anger issues may cost him everything. Critics may have called the film forgettable, and filled with product placement, but it seems audiences remember this movie very well. The fight scene between Sandler and Bob Barker is iconic.
The Wedding Singer. One of the few well liked Sandler films by audiences and critics. In this 1998 romantic comedy Sandler portrays Robbie Hart, a wedding singer who is left on his own wedding day. In order to help him Julia Sullivan (Drew Barrymore) a waitress he befriends at wedding asks him to help her plan her own wedding to the horrible Glenn Gulia (Matthew Glave.) The two fall in love, but become conflicted because of Glenn. The Wedding Singer showcases a more romantic side of Sandler, as well as his musical talents. It was also the first of three films Sandler and Barrymore would do together; their chemistry and friendship is often praised by critics.
The Waterboy. This 1998 film is pretty iconic in Sandler’s career (good or bad depends on one’s interpretation). Here he is Bobby Boucher, a 31 year old man with limited social problems and a stutter. He lives at home with his over-protective mother (Kathy Bates) and works as a water-boy for the University of Louisiana. When he is fired after being bullied, Bobby is hired at a water-boy for the underdog South Central Louisiana State University. When he gets angry and tackles the quarterback for bullying him, the coach puts Bobby on the team. Many thought Sandler’s character was a throwback to one of his old SNL skits, but at the same time it is said unless you are a massive Sandler fan this one might not be worth watching.
50 Firsts Dates. Once again Sandler brings out his romantic side with his friend Drew Barrymore, but not in the way fans expected. This 2004 film has Sandler staring as Henry Roth who falls in love with a woman named Lucy. However because of an accident Lucy has short term memory loss and cannot remember anything from the previous day. Henry is determined to help Lucy fall in love with him every day. This is probably the more memorable films of Sandler and Barrymore’s films, as well as the more romantic. A perfect date night movies.
Click. Many fans of Sandler have said that this 2006 film was his last great hit (not that his films are bad but there are more misses than hits nowadays.) Sandler portrays Michael Newton; a guy who has seems to be stuck in life. He is pushed around at his job and doesn’t spend a lot of time with his family. One day he purchases a universal remote, only to discover it is an ordinary one. Instead of for a TV this remote can control life. Newton uses this for his advantage, but soon realizes it comes with a cost. The film is the only Sandler film to be nominated for an Oscar, and is often regarded as a heartwarming comedy.
Bedtime Stories. Critics may not have liked this 2008 Disney film of Sandler’s, but it is still fun to watch. Sandler stars as Skeeter Bronson who works at a hotel as the maintenance man and longs to one day own it, having been promised one day by the man who bought the hotel from Skeeter’s father. When his sister goes away to look for a job, Skeeter takes care of his niece and nephew along with her friend Jill (Keri Russell) whom Skeeter detests at first. Skeeter makes up bedtime stories, but allows the kids to join in. The next day Skeeter is shocked when the stories he tells actually come true for him, but only the parts the kids tell. It is definitely a cute movie and is nice to know Sandler can do a kids movie without a lot of toilet humor.
Hotel Transylvania series. With three hit animated movies this might be Sandler’s more successful movies in recent memory. He voices Dracula, the famous vampire who runs a monsters only hotel, and goes on some wacky adventures. In the first film, released in 2012, Drac has to cope with his daughter Mavis (Selena Gomez) falling in love with Johnny (Andy Samberg) a human. The second one released in 2015 has Drac and his friends trying to prove that Mavis and Johnny’s son (Drac’s grandson) Dennis is a vampire. The third, released in 2018 has Drac, his family and friends going on a cruise where he falls in love with the daughter of his longtime enemy Van Helsing. Sandler would not reprise Dracula in the fourth installment. The films have been well received by audiences, many praising Sandler’s voice acting as the vampire Count Dracula. Regardless which film it is they are perfect family friendly movies.
With these hits under his belt, Adam Sandler is one of Hollywood’s favorite funny men, and he is not slowing down anytime soon. Happy birthday Adam Sandler!
Is there an Adam Sandler film I missed on here? What is your favorite Adam Sandler movie? Please comment below.
Photo courtesy of IMDB. No copyright infringement is intended.
Films or Television Worth Watching 