Adam Sandler is a Hollywood gem who transitioned from a comedian on stage to an actor on the big screen. Adam is known for having great comic timing, a talent that has helped the actor deliver not one but many hits over the years. Of course, there’s a chance that you have heard of the actor right now, and if that’s the case, here are some of the best Adam Sandler movies that should be on your watch list.
10. Grown Ups 2
- Release Date: July 12, 2013
- Director: Dennis Dugan
- Cast: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Salma Hayek, Maya Rudolph, Maria Bello, Nick Swardson
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 5.4/8%
Lenny Feder reignites his childhood after his reunion with his friends in the first movie. So, he doesn’t think twice when given the opportunity to relocate to his hometown and be closer to his friends. Who needs to lead a heartless life in Hollywood when they can be with their loved ones in a small town, right?
Anyway, things do get exciting for Lenny when he moves back to his hometown, but exciting in a complex way. That’s because old rivalries, unfriendly locals, and parenting issues make life a little difficult for Lenny. But hey, all that complexity amounts to a lot of entertaining moments for the fans.
9. You Don’t Mess With the Zohan
- Release Date: June 6, 2008
- Director: Dennis Dugan
- Cast: Adam Sandler, John Turturro, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Nick Swardson, Lainie Kazan, Rob Schneider
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 5.6/38%
What’s the weirdest premise you’ve heard? Well, the narrative based around a terrorist who lets go of his dark side to become a bombastic (pun intended) hairstylist in New York will definitely top anything. But life ain’t that easy, and Zohan realizes that very quickly when some enemies from the past threaten his newly formed hair salon empire.
Zohan is a quirky character, and honestly, no one would have done a better job at portraying the character than Adam Sandler. This is, without a doubt, one of the best Adam Sandler movies out there.
8. Grown Ups
- Release Date: June 25, 2010
- Director: Dennis Dugan
- Cast: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider, Salma Hayek, Maria Bello, Maya Rudolph
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6/10%
We have seen several films playing around with the theme of reunions; however, no one tackles this theme better than Grown Ups. The movie is based on five friends who reunite after the death of their childhood basketball coach. Realizing that they’ve grown up, have families, responsibilities, and financial pressure, these five guys reignite the lightheartedness of their childhood through each other.
Adam Sandler takes on the role of Lenny Feder, a successful agent in Hollywood. The actor does a great job in the role, and he is also joined by a fantastic cast, including Chris Rock, David Spade, Steve Buscemi, and Rob Schneider.
7. The Waterboy
- Release Date: November 6, 1998
- Director: Frank Coraci
- Cast: Adam Sandler, Kathy Bates, Fairuza Balk, Jerry Reed, Henry Winkler
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.2/33%
Adam Sandler has a thing for sports-centric movies, and like in all other projects, the actor is great in The Waterboy. He takes on the role of Bobby Boucher, a 31-year-old washed-up man working as a Waterboy for a college football team. But he’s not a complete failure, as Bobby is an incredible linebacker with his incredible tackling skills. So, Bobby joins the rival football team and uses all that piled-up rage to become famous, successful, and, of course, mess up a lot of things in between.
The Waterboy is surely one of the best Adam Sandler films, and it’s one of those early projects that helped the actor gain more recognition from the industry and fans.
6. Big Daddy
- Release Date: June 25, 1999
- Director: Dennis Dugan
- Cast: Adam Sandler, Joey Lauren Adams, Jon Stewart, Rob Schneider, Cole Sprouse, Dylan Sprouse, Leslie Mann
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.4/39%
The title may make it sound like the movie is based around a gangster who is called “Big Daddy,” but that ain’t the case. The movie is about a burned-out law student who has failed in his career and lost his girlfriend. So, to win her back, Sonny Koufax, the main character, adopts a five-year-old kid, because, you know, adopting a kid is the best way to showcase maturity.
Anyways, the plot thickens when Sonny actually starts caring for the kid, and one way or another, the man gets his life back on track. Adam Sandler, yet again, is amazing in this film, and you’ll love seeing the actor flexing a range of emotions.
5. Blended
- Release Date: May 23, 2014
- Director: Frank Coraci
- Cast: Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Kevin Nealon, Terry Crews, Wendi McLendon-Covey
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.5/15%
What’s the worst that can happen after a failed blind date, right? Well, getting stuck with the same person in the African Safari resort will definitely make this “worse.” Adam Sandler takes on the role of Jim Friedman, who can’t even look straight at Lauren Reynolds. Yes, they hate each other so much. But they are both divorced, have children, and are disasters as parents. So, after giving fans several gags, one thing leads to another, and Jim and Lauren start to find comfort in each other’s company.
Blended is more than just a quirky comedy; it’s a movie about parenting, attachment, and finding the strength to love again.
4. The Wedding Singer
- Release Date: February 13, 1998
- Director: Frank Coraci
- Cast: Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Christine Taylor
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.9/72%
What’s the best thing a man can do if his fiancée breaks off the marriage at the altar? Maybe he can find love in another woman and break up her marriage with another man? I’m kidding; that’s no way to move on. Regardless, that’s the main plot of The Wedding Singer. Adam Sandler takes on the role of Robbie Hart, who, after getting his heart broken at the altar, finds love in Julia Sullivan.
Robbie is a wedding singer, so he is tasked with helping Julia plan a beautiful marriage. However, the man focuses on confessing his love to Julia and breaking up her marriage. Evil? Maybe, but that gives us a funny, beautiful, and entertaining movie. So, in the end, it’s all worth it.
3. Hotel Transylvania Franchise
- Release Date: September 28, 2012- January 14, 2022
- Director: Genndy Tartakovsky (1-3), Derek Drymon and Jennifer Kluska (4)
- Cast: Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James, Fran Drescher, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 7/45%
There’s a chance that you haven’t watched any other Adam Sandler movie, but I can’t help but judge you if you haven’t watched the Hotel Transylvania film. I mean, how can you ignore an animated film series that shows Dracula running a hotel for other monsters? It’s a great film franchise that is full of love and laughter, and yes, Adam Sandler takes on the role of Dracula. So, it’s your only chance of seeing the actor not wearing shorts and t-shirts.
2. Happy Gilmore
- Release Date: February 16, 1996
- Director: Dennis Dugan
- Cast: Adam Sandler, Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen, Carl Weathers
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 7/63%
Here we are talking about another great film starring Adam Sandler. No, wait, here we are talking about another great sports-centric film starring Adam Sandler. That’s right, in Happy Gilmore, Adam takes on the role of a washed-up Hockey player who strives to become relevant again. And well, the man finds that opportunity through Golf. But the transition from Hockey to Golf ain’t that easy, as Happy has to go through several other players who don’t want him to succeed. However, Happy’s unorthodox attitude is what helps him find success in the sport.
Happy Gilmore is a film about finding purpose and confidence, and of course, the movie teaches us to never let go of our ambition to be great. And of course, Adam is incredible in the movie, so it’s no wonder that the cast is returning with a sequel movie very soon.
1. Uncut Gems
- Release Date: December 13, 2019
- Director: Josh Safdie
- Cast: Adam Sandler, LaKeith Stanfield, Julia Fox, Kevin Garnett, Idina Menzel, Eric Bogosian
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 7.4/91%
We have seen Adam Sandler taking on several romantic and comedic roles, but it’s rare to see the man acting all serious and depressed on the big screen. Well, that’s what we get to see from Sandler in the Uncut Gems movie. Adam takes on the role of Howard Ratner in the film. Howard is a gambling addict who has lost everything to his addiction, and when it was time for him to get out, he put everything at stake yet again. What happens next? Well, Howard is chased by loan sharks, and he loses almost everything and everyone he loves.
Uncut Gems is a great film that tells a great story, but more than that, it gives Adam Sandler a different kind of role. And as expected, the actor does an incredible job at that.
That’s it for the best Adam Sandler movies. Of course, there are several other great films from the actor, but hey, let’s not be greedy, okay? Watch these ten great films first, and we’ll surely update the article by including more amazing movies starring Adam in the lead roles.
Ajith Kumar
