Adam Sandler is a famous American actor, comedian, producer, singer, and writer who started his career on the sketch comedy show “Saturday Night Live” (SNL).
After leaving SNL, Sandler starred in many comedy films, such as “Billy Madison”, “Happy Gilmore.” He also ventured into more dramatic roles, such as in “Punch-Drunk Love”, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination. And “Uncut Gems”, which won him an Independent Spirit Award and a Critics Choice Award nomination. He has also been nominated for five Emmy Awards, four for SNL (three for writing and one for guest acting), and one for his stand-up special “100% Fresh”.
Here are the Top 10 Adam Sandler Movies to watch:
10. Anger Management (2003)
Screenshot of Anger Management movie/ via Movieclips
In this comedy, Dave Buznick (Adam Sandler) is a calm businessman who faces his hidden fury after a series of bizarre incidents on a plane trip. He is charged with air rage and ordered to attend anger management therapy with Dr. Buddy Rydell (Jack Nicholson), a famous therapist. But Dave's therapy sessions with a group of truly troubled people -- including nervous ex-con Chuck (John Turturro), fanatical sports fan Nate (Jonathan Loughran), simmering Lou (Luis Guzman), self-centered Andrew (Allen Covert), and bisexual porn stars Gina and Stacy (Krista Allen and January Jones) -- make him more uneasy than before. Anger Management also stars Marisa Tomei as Dave's girlfriend, Linda. The film features cameo appearances by Woody Harrelson, John C. Reilly, Ray Liotta, Heather Graham, and Harry Dean Stanton.
9. Spanglish (2004)
Screenshot of Spanglish movie/ via Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers
In Spanglish, a movie by James L. Brooks, Adam Sandler plays John Clasky, a chef who tries to balance his work and family life. His wife Deborah (Téa Leoni) is a neurotic and selfish woman who mistreats him and their children. John finds comfort in Flor (Paz Vega), a Mexican maid who works for them and has a daughter named Cristina (Shelbie Bruce). The movie explores the cultural and emotional clashes between the two families, as well as John's attraction to Flor.
8. Billy Madison (1995)
Screenshot of Billy Madison movie/ via Best Movie Quote
Billy Madison is the first major hit of Adam Sandler's post-SNL career, and it establishes the formula of his future roles. He plays a rich and immature (or innocent, depending on your perspective) heir to a hotel empire, who has to prove himself worthy of taking over the business by completing all 12 grades of school in six weeks. He discovers that he was never really educated, thanks to his father's influence and money.
The film follows Adam Sandler's signature formula of blending humor, sentimentality, and overcoming obstacles, while also showcasing a more mature and genuine aspect of his character as he tries to improve himself.
7. Funny People (2009)
Screenshot of Funny People movie/ via Movieclips
Adam Sandler plays George Simmons, a megastar of comedy who finds out he has a rare and fatal blood disease at the beginning of the movie. He decides to go back to his roots and perform standup comedy, something he hasn't done for a long time because of his successful movie career. He meets Ira Wright (Seth Rogen), a struggling standup comedian, and hires him to be his joke writer and personal assistant. Ira gets a glimpse of the glamorous life of a celebrity but soon realizes how selfish and egotistical his boss is. The movie features cameo appearances by many famous comedians as themselves.
6. Happy Gilmore (1996)
Screenshot of Happy Gilmore movie/ via Best Movie Quote
Happy Gilmore is a comedy film about a hockey player who becomes a golf sensation. Happy (Adam Sandler) is a frustrated hockey fan who discovers he has a talent for hitting golf balls with incredible force. He joins the pro tour to save his grandmother's house from foreclosure. However, he faces opposition from Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald), a snobbish and arrogant golfer who wants to stop Happy's unconventional style. Along the way, Happy falls in love with Virginia (Julie Bowen), a public relations director who helps him improve his image. Happy must overcome his anger issues and learn to respect the game of golf if he wants to defeat Shooter and win the championship.
5. The Meyerowitz Stories (2017)
Screenshot of The Meyerowitz Stories movie/ via kramerkaroe judy
Noah Baumbach is an American filmmaker who specializes in witty and intellectual comedies set in New York City. He often collaborates with Greta Gerwig, Adam Driver, and Wes Anderson. One of his acclaimed films is The Meyerowitz Stories (2017). It stars Adam Sandler as Danny Meyerowitz, the neglected son of a pretentious artist played by Dustin Hoffman.
Danny is a divorced father who struggles with his self-esteem and his relationship with his father and his half-brother, played by Ben Stiller. The film explores the themes of family, art, and identity with humor and emotion. Sandler's performance as Danny is praised for using his comedic persona to create a complex and sympathetic character.
4. Hustle (2022)
Screenshot of Hustle movie/ via Haemosu
Hustle is a film starring Adam Sandler as Stanley Sugerman, a basketball scout who finds a talented player named Bo Cruz in Spain and tries to get him into the NBA. The film is a comedy-drama that shows the challenges and opportunities that Stanley and Bo face as they pursue their dreams. The film also features Queen Latifah, Ben Foster, Robert Duvall and Juancho Hernangómez. Hustle was released on Netflix in 2022 and received positive reviews from critics and audiences.
3. Punch-Drunk Love (2002)
Screenshot of Punch Drunk Love movie/ via Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailer
Punch-Drunk Love is a 2002 romantic comedy-drama film starring Adam Sandler as Barry Egan, a lonely and socially awkward man who falls in love with Lena Leonard, a woman he meets through his sister. Barry is also harassed by a phone sex operator and her violent boyfriend, who extort money from him. He tries to cope with his emotions and his troubles by exploiting a loophole in a promotion for frequent flyer miles. The film explores themes of loneliness, love, family, and redemption.
2. The Wedding Singer (1998)
Screenshot of The Wedding Singer movie/ via Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailer
The Wedding Singer is a 1998 romantic comedy film starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. It follows the story of Robbie Hart, a wedding singer who falls in love with Julia Sullivan, a waitress who is engaged to a cheating businessman. Robbie and Julia bond over their shared love of music and their dissatisfaction with their current relationships. They eventually realize that they are meant for each other and try to stop Julia's wedding before it is too late.
1. Uncut Gems (2019)
Screenshot of Uncut Gems movie/ via A24
Uncut Gems is a 2019 crime thriller film starring Adam Sandler as Howard Ratner, a New York City jeweler and gambling addict who is in debt to various loan sharks. The film follows Howard's frantic attempts to pay off his debts by selling a rare Ethiopian opal that he acquired through a smuggling scheme. Along the way, he faces numerous obstacles and dangers, such as his estranged wife, his mistress, his angry clients, and his ruthless creditors. The film is a tense and unpredictable ride that explores the themes of greed, addiction, and fate.
In addition, the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, a prestigious honor in the field of comedy, went to Sandler in 2023. He received the award on March 26 at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall in Washington, DC. In this video, you can watch Adam Sandler receive the prestigious award and deliver a hilarious and heartfelt speech. Check it out.