The Best Adam Sandler Movies Ranked From Good To Great

Adam Sandler's movies span years of comedy and drama. But which Adam Sandler movie is best? GFR ranks Adam Sandler's movies using unbiased math.

By Henry Hards | Updated 3 months ago

Adam Sandler has had a long and successful career in Hollywood and has appeared in numerous movies over the years. While Sandler has made a name for himself as a comedian alongside Chris Rock, David Spade, and Drew Barrymore, he has also delivered some great dramatic performances.

He’s worked for famous directors like Paul Thomas Anderson and acted opposite icons such as Jack Nicholson.

“It’s always a slam dunk when Adam Sandler drops his doofus routine and really acts.”

While some of Adam Sandler’s movies are certainly better than others, he has proven himself to be a versatile actor, capable of delivering great performances in various genres. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Sandler’s work or just discovering his films for the first time, there’s no denying that he has had a significant impact on the world of comedy and entertainment, particularly with his best movies.

From his early days on Saturday Night Live to his recent work on Netflix, Adam Sandler has remained a beloved and iconic figure in movies and television.

Below is the definitive list of the best Adam Sandler movies of all time, based on our unbiased GIANT FREAKIN MOVIE SCORE calculations.

1. HUSTLE (2022) IS ADAM SANDLER’S BEST MOVIE

The most recent and one of the more popular entries in the comedian’s filmography is the hit film Hustle, directed by Jeremiah Zagar. Similar to many of Adam Sandler’s movies where he plays an unlucky but lovable main character, this film embraces Sandler’s appeal opposite A-listers like Queen Latifah, Ben Foster, and Robert Duvall. Sandler plays Stanley Sugarman, an NBA scout contending with the owners of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Hustle costars real-life Spanish basketball player Juancho Hernangómez as a version of himself, while Stanley takes it upon himself to prepare the phenom for a shot at the NBA draft. Distributed by Netflix, the film contains one of Adam Sandler’s most powerful performances, for which he eventually scored a nomination from the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Although he failed to earn love from the Oscars for his work in Hustle, many critics believe this to be one of Adam Sandler’s best movies. ABC News film critic Peter Travers wrote in his review of the film, “It’s always a slam dunk when Adam Sandler drops his doofus routine and really acts. And here, as a basketball scout who yearns to coach, he infuses every frame of this formulaic crowd-pleaser with a real-deal love of the game.”

2. UNCUT GEMS IS A DARKER ADAM SANDLER MOVIE

Uncut Gems is a thriller directed by the Safdie brothers that stars Adam Sandler in one of his most dramatic movies to date.

Sandler plays Howard Ratner, a jeweler and compulsive gambler who always looks for the next big score. The film follows Ratner as he tries to pay off his debts and stay one step ahead of his enemies while balancing his personal and professional life.

Widely regarded as one of Adam Sandler’s best movies, Uncut Gems is a masterclass in tension and anxiety, with the Safdie brothers expertly ratcheting up the stakes and keeping audiences on the edge of their seats. Sandler delivers a powerhouse performance as Ratner, showcasing his range as an actor and proving that he is capable of more than just comedy.

The film received critical acclaim for its direction, performances, and screenplay, with many critics praising Sandler’s turn as Howard Ratner as one of the best of his career. The Hollywood Reporter echoed this sentiment by noting in their review of the film, “Many will agree that this is Sandler’s best performance.”

3. THE MEYEROWITZ STORIES (2017) IS ALSO ONE OF ADAM SANDLER’S BEST MOVIES

The Meyerowitz Stories is a Netflix dramedy written and directed by Noah Baumbach, starring Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman, and Emma Thompson. The film revolves around the Meyerowitz family, mainly three siblings, and their relationships with each other and their father.

Set in New York City, the movie focuses on the family’s dynamic and dysfunction as they reunite to celebrate their father’s artwork. The elder Meyerowitz is a retired professor and sculptor who has always been more invested in his work than in his family, and this has caused resentment among his children.

As the family comes together for the celebration, old tensions and rivalries resurface, and they are forced to confront their feelings about their father and each other.

Hailed by critics as one of Adam Sandler’s best movies, The Meyerowitz Stories explores the complexities of family relationships and the influence of past traumas on their present-day interactions. It showcases the talents of its ensemble cast, particularly Adam Sandler in a dramatic role, and is a must-watch for fans of Baumbach’s and Sandler’s movies.

4. ADAM SANDLER STARTED MAKING HIS BEST MOVIES WITH PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE (2002)

One of Adam Sandler’s first movies that balanced comedy and drama, Punch-Drunk Love, gave the actor some of the best reviews of his career up to that point. That’s enough to make it one of Adam Sandler’s best movies. Directed by Magnolia and Boogie Nights helmer Paul Thomas Anderson, Sandler sets the film’s tone as an emotionally unstable man in the San Fernando Valley, California, who suffers from extreme social anxiety.

With a history of uncontrollable outbursts, Sandler’s character of Barry Egan navigates a life of constant bullying from his sisters.

Barry meets a woman named Lena Leonard, played by Emily Watson, and becomes infatuated with her. They begin a tentative romance, but Barry’s past trauma and insecurities threaten to ruin their relationship. At the same time, Barry becomes entangled in a dangerous scam involving a phone sex line and a shady businessman, played by Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Adam Sandler delivers a nuanced and emotional performance in this movie, showcasing his first foray into romantic drama. The film is also visually stunning, with a unique color palette and cinematography that captures the surreal and dreamlike quality of Barry’s world.

5. LEO (2023) IS ADAM SANDLER’S BEST ANIMATED MOVIE

Though it was released on Netflix with little fanfare, this PG rated animated movie was a huge hit with critics and audiences alike. Adam Sandler voices the lead character, Leo.

It’s about an elderly lizard named Leo who has spent his life in a Florida classroom alongside his turtle friend, Squirtle. As Leo faces his final year with only a limited time left to live, he plans to explore the world outside his terrarium.

However, his journey takes a turn as he becomes an emotional support figure to the students, imparting lessons and gaining new perspectives from his interactions with them. In addition to Sandler, the movie’s voice cast includes Bill Burr as Squirtle and Cecily Strong as the strict substitute teacher Ms. Malkin.

6. YOU ARE SO NOT INVITED TO MY BAT MITZVAH (2023) STARS ADAM SANDLER’S DAUGHTER

This coming of age Netflix comedy is primarily designed as a vehicle for Adam Sandler’s teenage daughter, Sunny Sandler, to star in a movie. His wife Jackie Sandler shows up too and along with Adam they play smaller roles as their daughter’s parents.

Centered around Stacy Friedman, a spirited soon-to-be 13-year-old, the film dives into the chaotic waters of middle school friendships. When Stacy’s best friend not only bails on her Bat Mitzvah but also starts dating her brother, it sparks a preteen war just in time for her big day.

Critics loved You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah, which accounts for its high position on this list. Audiences were far less enthusaistic.

7. THE WEDDING SINGER (1998) IS A CLASSIC ADAM SANDLER MOVIE

Adam Sandler might have reinvented romantic comedy movies with the 1980s era The Wedding Singer. That makes it one of the best Adam Sandler movies. Sandler stars as the titular wedding singer, Robbie Hart, who is left at the altar by his fianceé, Linda. Devastated and heartbroken, he meets a waitress, Julia (Drew Barrymore), who is engaged to a wealthy and unfaithful man. Despite their initial differences, Robbie and Julia become friends and eventually develop feelings for each other.

While Robbie helps Julia plan her wedding, he realizes he is still in love with Linda and decides to try to win her back. In the end, Robbie and Julia confess their love for each other, set to a nostalgic soundtrack in front of British rocker Billy Idol.

Adam Sandler gives one of his most heartwarming comedic performances in The Wedding Singer, which helped launch Drew Barrymore’s adult acting career. 

8. REIGN OVER ME (2007) IS ALSO ONE OF ADAM SANDLER’S BEST MOVIES

The drama Reign Over Me stars Adam Sandler alongside veteran actor Don Cheadle. Sandler plays Charlie Fineman, a man who lost his family in the September 11th terrorist attacks and has been struggling with PTSD and depression ever since. Cheadle plays Alan Johnson, a former college roommate of Charlie’s who runs into him by chance and tries to reconnect with him.

As Alan spends more time with Charlie, he begins to understand the extent of his pain and its toll on his life. Charlie refuses to confront his grief and instead uses video games to escape. However, through their friendship, Alan helps Charlie to open up and face his trauma.

While often regarded as one of Adam Sandler’s best movies, Reign Over Me was not a hit at the box office when it was theatrically released in March 2007, grossing about $22 million against a budget of $20 million. The film is notable as the last big screen performance of actor Melinda Dillon, who plays Charlie’s mother-in-law prior to her retirement from the acting profession.

As one of the best Adam Sandler movies, it is a poignant and powerful portrayal of grief, loss, and the healing power of human connection.

9. FUNNY PEOPLE (2009) IS AN ADAM SANDLER MOVIE THAT IS A BIT META

Adam Sandler stars in director and friend Judd Apatow’s Funny People, a dramedy about a successful comedian diagnosed with a terminal illness. Feeling alone and unfulfilled, George (Sandler) hires a struggling young comedian, Ira (Seth Rogen), as his personal assistant and subsequent opening act.

As George prepares for a final stand-up tour, he begins to reconnect with old friends and family, including his ex-girlfriend (Leslie Mann), who is now married with children.

When George and Ira’s friendship deepens, they both confront their issues and learn to support each other through difficult times. Funny People is a hilarious and heartfelt exploration of mortality, friendship, and the power of laughter. The film features a star-studded ensemble cast, including Jonah Hill, Eric Bana, and Jason Schwartzman.

10. HAPPY GILMORE (1996) WAS ADAM SANDLER’S FIRST SPORTS MOVIE

The average moviegoer would probably pick Happy Gilmore as Adam Sandler’s best movie. As one of his most iconic movies, the sports-themed Happy Gilmore has provided a lot of comedy for its loyal fanbase for the past 25 years.

Sandler portrays the title character, Happy Gilmore, a failed hockey player with a quirky talent for golf. Desperate to save his grandmother’s house from foreclosure, Happy enters a golf tournament and becomes a sensation despite his unorthodox approach to the game.

As Happy’s success grows, he faces off against his nemesis, a skilled golfer named Shooter McGavin, played in the movie by actor Christopher McDonald. Shooter McGavin will stop at nothing to win, while Happy finds love with a golf course employee, Virginia, portrayed by future Modern Family star Julie Bowen.

With its hilarious quotes and unforgettable characters, Happy Gilmore is a classic comedy that has become a cult favorite among fans of Adam Sandler’s movies.

12. HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3: SUMMER VACATION (2018) IS ADAM SANDLER’S BEST OF THIS FRANCHISE

Only a few animated features come to mind when you think of the best Adam Sandler movies. But the actor and voice talent has starred in a franchise worth its weight in box office gold. Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation is the third installment that stars Sandler as the voice of Dracula.

In this iteration of the Hotel Transylvania franchise, Dracula decides to take a break from running his hotel and goes on a summer cruise with his family and friends. While on board, he falls in love with the ship’s captain, Ericka (voiced by Kathryn Hahn), who is hiding a dangerous secret.

As Dracula tries to win Ericka’s heart, his daughter Mavis (voiced by Selena Gomez) becomes suspicious of Ericka’s true intentions. With its colorful animation and hilarious characters, Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation is the highest-ranked movie of the franchise and a rare family-friendly film for Adam Sandler.

13. HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 (2015) DID LESS WELL

Adding to the trend of Adam Sandler’s best-animated movies to hit this list is Hotel Transylvania 2, the second installment of the famous franchise for kids. As the first sequel to the 2012 original, it also stars Adam Sandler as Dracula’s voice. 

In this flick, Dracula is concerned that his half-human, half-vampire grandson, Dennis (voiced by child actor Asher Blinkoff), is not showing signs of being a vampire. To help bring out his vampire side, Dracula enlists the help of his monster friends to put Dennis through a monster-in-training boot camp.

Meanwhile, Dracula’s old-school father, Vlad (comedy icon Mel Brooks), arrives at the hotel unexpectedly, causing chaos and conflict among the monsters. Hotel Transylvania 2 is an enjoyable and entertaining movie demonstrating Adam Sandler’s pull with younger viewers.

It’s assisted by its ensemble voice cast that includes Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James, Steve Buscemi, Keegan-Michael Key, Molly Shannon, and Jon Lovitz.

14. SPANGLISH (2004) GOT CRITICAL ACCLAIM

In an attempt to work with a notable director of critical acclaim to create one of his best, Adam Sandler chose to star in the movie Spanglish for helmer James L. Brooks of As Good As It Gets fame.

The film is touching and insightful by showcasing the importance of communication and understanding in building meaningful relationships. Sandler plays one-half of a Los Angeles affluent couple named the Claskys alongside Tea Leoni, who hires a housekeeper, played by actor Paz Vega. 

Vega’s character of Flor struggles to communicate with the Claskys, as she doesn’t speak English fluently, but she forms a close bond with their daughter, who struggles with identity issues. Flor’s parenting style differs from the Clasky’s, leading to communication conflicts. Meanwhile, Sandler’s character, John is a chef who develops feelings for Flor as they connect over their shared love of food and culture.

The film was a box office bomb when it debuted in 2004 but was heralded for its performances by the ensemble cast, particularly Adam Sandler, who departs from his usual comedic roles to deliver a nuanced and emotional performance.

15. 50 FIRST DATES (2004) WAS AN ADAM SANDLER MOVIE THAT GOT THE ROM-COM MOSTLY RIGHT

Head trauma and comedy don’t always go hand in hand, but somehow, Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore’s chemistry onscreen has made 50 First Dates one of their greatest movies. Released in the same year as Spanglish and taking place in Hawaii, the film depicts Barrymore as a woman with a rare form of short-term memory loss who forgets everything she experienced the day before.

Sandler’s womanizing Henry Roth falls in love with Barrymore’s Lucy, much to the initial disapproval of her family (Sean Astin and Blake Clark).

A premise ripe for comedic moments, 50 First Dates has become one of several romantic comedies Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore have made together.

The film was a financial success with a box office gross of close to $200 million against a budget of $75 million. The movie costars Kevin James, Rob Schneider, Dan Aykroyd, Allen Covert, Amy Hill, Missi Pyle, and a walrus named Jocko.

16. HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA (2012) STARTED THE FRANCHISE

16. Spaceman (2024) Makes Adam Sandler The Loneliest Man In The Galaxy

In Spaceman, Adam Sandler stars as a Czech astronaut named Jakub on a solo mission to study a mysterious cloud near Jupiter. Six months into the mission and nearing the halfway point, his pregnant wife back on Earth leaves him, making the loneliest man in the universe more alone than ever.

At his lowest moment, an alien creature inexplicably appears aboard Jakub’s ship. The creature looks a lot like a giant tarantula, but it quickly establishes itself as kind, gentle, and well-meaning.

The spider alien’s intention is to learn more about humans, or so it claims. It says it was affected by observing Jakub’s loneliness and wants to help him.

Spaceman debuted on Netflix as a Netflix original film. The movie was heavily anticipated initially, but after being screened for critics, the mixed reactions started pouring in. When audiences saw it, their reactions were similarly mixed.

Do the math, and that leaves Spaceman somewhere in the middle of our list of Adam Sandler movies. It’s better than his worst but far from his best.

17. HUBIE HALLOWEEN (2020) CELEBRATED THE HOLIDAY ON NETFLIX

Adam Sandler has had a Netflix deal for many of the movies he’s starred in over the past few years. It has amounted to a variety of projects from different genres. Spooky season will never be the same after Sandler’s Hubie Halloween premiered on the streamer in 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Costarring Sandler and many of his frequent collaborators like Kevin James, Julie Bowen, Rob Schneider, and Steve Buscemi, the movie has since become a must-watch in the month of October.

Hubie Halloween stars Adam Sandler as the titular Hubie Dubois, a Salem deli employee often mocked for his love of Halloween by his historic town’s adult and child residents. Some strange things start happening in Salem on Halloween night, which propels Hubie to investigate the danger that is afoot.

Nostalgia, Halloween-themed gags, and a star-studded cast, including Maya Rudolph and Ray Liotta, help lift Hubie Halloween into a new classic.

18. MURDER MYSTERY IS AN UNDERRATED ADAM SANDLER MOVIE

Like Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Aniston has enjoyed a lengthy career opposite friend and fellow actor Adam Sandler in many of his best movies. The Netflix film Murder Mystery saw Aniston and Sandler play off one another in a comedy mystery project that scored a sequel that will be released later this month.

While the movie had mixed reviews from critics and audiences, it stands as one of the pinnacle films that combine the likable qualities of both of its leading stars.

Murder Mystery finds Adam Sandler playing Nick Spitz, a police officer from New York who is married to Jennifer Aniston’s Audrey, a hairdresser. Devoted to reading her favorite mystery novels, Audrey joins Nick on a European vacation, where they get framed for the murder of an elderly billionaire.

Hijinks ensue when the couple goes on the run in a foreign land as their marriage receives a much-needed spark.

19. ANGER MANAGEMENT (2003) PAIRED HIM WITH A LEGEND

After the success of Adam Sandler’s work in the drama Punch-Drunk Love, the former Saturday Night Live cast member decided to return to his comedy roots by starring in director Peter Segal’s Anger Management.

The film costars heavyweight actors Jack Nicholson, Marisa Tomei, Woody Harrelson, John Turturro, and Luis Guzmán. The film was a hit at the box office due to its ensemble cast, grossing over $195 million against a budget of $75 million.

Adam Sandler plays Dave Buznik, a businessman sentenced to complete an anger management program led by the aggressive Dr. Buddy Rydell, portrayed by Jack Nicholson. While not a critically acclaimed movie like many of Nicholson’s previous works, Anger Management is notable for its various cameos from real-life figures.

John McEnroe, Derek Jeter, Bob Knight, Roger Clemens, and New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani all play themselves in the film.

20. BILLY MADISON (1995) IS ONE OF THE MOST-QUOTED ADAM SANDLER MOVIES

Billy Madison might be the most talked about of all of Adam Sandler’s best movies, primarily because it debuted just as the actor was leaving his five-year stint on Saturday Night Live.

While not as critically heralded as some of his later projects, Billy Madison helped launch Adam Sandler as a bonafide leading man and box office talent. It has become an often quoted movie as part of his legacy onscreen and developed into a cult film appreciated by Sandler’s devoted fanbase.

Billy Madison stars Adam Sandler as the titular character, a spoiled adult heir to a hotel conglomerate owned by his wealthy father. Billy drinks every day with his buddies, has no ambition to speak of, and is a likable nuisance to his father’s business partners. Not trusting Billy to take over the company, his father chooses the weasely Eric Gordon (Bradley Whitford) to take over.

Billy discovers that his father bribed all of his former teachers to give his son a passing grade in order to graduate, which means Billy has never earned anything in his life. He comes up with a compromise for his father to let him go back and finish school all over again, and if he does everything on his own without assistance, he can take over the hotel company. 

Billy Madison‘s ridiculous premise makes for a stunning comedy full of some of Adam Sandler’s signature moments and a cast that includes Darren McGavin, Bridgette Wilson, Norm Macdonald, and Steve Buscemi.

21. BIG DADDY (1999) MADE A LOT OF MONEY, EVEN IF IT’S NOT ADAM SANDLER’S BEST

Riding a wave of comedies that helped to put Adam Sandler on the map, director Dennis Dugan’s Big Daddy introduced Sandler’s fans to a more family-friendly premise. Besides the animated movies as part of the Hotel Transylvania franchise, Big Daddy is Adam Sandler’s highest-grossing of all of his movies and was the seventh highest-grossing film of 1999 when the movie was released.

The film concerns lazy law school graduate Sonny (Sandler), who becomes an unlikely foster parent to a young boy (played by twins Dylan and Cole Sprouse). Adam Sandler has basically made an entire acting career from playing lovable losers, and Big Daddy is no different.

The heartwarming film is successful due to Sandler’s interactions with the Sprouse twins, aided by the hilarious cast that includes Joey Lauren Adams, comedian Jon Stewart, Rob Schneider, and Leslie Mann.

22. MURDER MYSTERY 2 (2023) REUNITES SANDLER AND ANISTON

Murder Mystery 2 brings Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston back together for another one of Adam’s Netflix work/vacation movies.

The sequel follows the return of Nick and Audrey Spitz as they embark on a new adventure as full-time detectives. After their escapade in Europe, they find themselves at the center of an international abduction at a friend’s wedding on a private island. The couple must navigate a fresh set of suspects and motives to solve the case and clear their names.

23. MEN, WOMEN & CHILDREN (2014) WAS DIRECTED BY JASON REITMAN

Writer and director Jason Reitman hit it big in the late 2000s with films like Up in the Air and Juno. A critical darling for much of his directing career, Reitman went a different direction in 2014 when he helmed the dramedy Men, Women & Children. Classified as one of Adam Sandler’s only supporting roles in recent memory, the movie was a box office bomb and suffered from lackluster reviews upon its release. It’s not Adam Sandler’s best movie, but people do like it.

Men, Women & Children stars a large ensemble cast that explores the impact of technology on relationships and the human experience. The movie interweaves several interconnected storylines of high school students and their parents, examining how technology influences their relationships, self-worth, and personal connections.

Adam Sandler portrays a father who uses the internet as an escape from his unhappy marriage, leading to unintended consequences.

The movie only grossed $2 million at the box office against a budget of $16 million, despite its impressive cast. Along with Adam Sandler, the film features performances from Jennifer Garner, Dennis Haysbert, Judy Greer, Ansel Elgort, Kaitlyn Dever, J.K. Simmons, Timothée Chalamet, and Emma Thompson as the narrator.

24. SHAKES THE CLOWN (1992) IS A MOSTLY UNKNOWN ADAM SANDLER MOVIE

If you haven’t heard of Shakes the Clown, don’t worry because few have. Shakes the Clown is a 1991 comedy film directed by Bobcat Goldthwait and starring the comedian as himself. It is an early movie in Adam Sandler’s career and one of his only supporting roles aside from Men, Women & Children. 

Shakes the Clown is a dark comedy that follows the story of Shakes the Clown (Goldthwait), a depressed and alcoholic party clown in a world where clowns are the dominant form of entertainment. When Shakes is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, he sets out to clear his name and discovers a sinister conspiracy among the clown community. Adam Sandler plays Dink the Clown, a rival of Shakes. 

The movie is supposed to be a satirical take on American culture and the entertainment industry, but it didn’t resonate well with audiences at the time of its release. Shakes the Clown is notable for showcasing comedians in minor roles, including Sandler, Kathy Griffin, and Robin Williams.

25. CLICK (2006) FEATURES CHRISTOPHER WALKEN

Click arrived in theaters at a time of significant change within the technology industry when television was changing away from the old network model. The movie follows Adam Sandler as Michael Newman, a workaholic architect who neglects his family in favor of his career. While searching for a universal remote control, he comes across an eccentric inventor, played by Christopher Walken, who gives him a remote that can control time.

At first, Michael uses the remote to fast-forward through unpleasant moments in his life, but he discovers that the remote has a mind of its own and begins to skip over important events in his life. He finds himself unable to control the remote, and it begins to fast-forward through entire years of his life, causing him to miss important moments with his family.

As Michael struggles to regain control of his life and undo the damage he has caused, he realizes the importance of cherishing the moments with his loved ones and learns that life is too short to fast-forward through.

Click was a box office smash for Adam Sandler and is one of his more successful movies if not his best, with a gross of $240 million. It is a heartwarming and thought-provoking movie that explores the themes of family, work-life balance, and the importance of living in the present moment.

While reviews have been mixed on the film, it is aided by its supporting cast, including Kate Beckinsale and Christopher Walken.

26. THE LONGEST YARD (2005) IS AN ADAM SANDLER MOVIE THAT WAS A REMAKE

The Longest Yard is a sports comedy film, a remake of the 1974 movie of the same name, directed by Adam Sandler’s frequent collaborator Peter Segal. Like the original, the film costars actor Burt Reynolds and plays off the chemistry between Reynolds and Sandler. This remake version follows the story of Sandler’s character of Paul Crewe, a former football player who is sent to prison.

While in prison, Paul is recruited by the warden (James Cromwell) to assemble a team of inmates to play against the guards in a football game. The Longest Yard was not as well received as the 1974 original but has a talented supporting cast of Chris Rock, Nelly, Courteney Cox, William Fichtner, and Joey Diaz.

Even though the movie earned Burt Reynolds a nomination at the Razzie Awards for Worst Supporting Actor, it was still a hit with audiences when it grossed over $191 million at the box office. 

27. THE WATERBOY (1998) IS VIEWED BY SOME AS ADAM SANDLER’S BEST MOVIE, BUT DOESN’T HOLD UP

Adam Sandler might be a lovable comedian who audiences have embraced for his ability to make them laugh, but he, unfortunately, has some stinkers in his filmography. When we talk about some Adam Sandler movies that don’t hold up with time, the 1998 flick The Waterboy is chief among them. The film costars Kathy Bates, Henry Winkler, and Fairuza Balk.

Adam Sandler plays Bobby Boucher, a socially awkward waterboy for a college football team who is constantly picked on and belittled by the players and coaching staff. However, when Bobby discovers a hidden talent for tackling, he becomes a key player for the team and helps lead them to success.

Sandler delivers a memorable performance as Bobby, bringing a unique charm and physicality to the role. But despite the movie’s popularity at the time, it has subsequently been criticized for its problematic portrayal of a character with mental and social disabilities. Often, these disabilities are played for laughs, which has proven to be offensive to some.

28. YOU DON’T MESS WITH THE ZOHAN (2008) IS SORT OF A MESS

Another one of Adam Sandler’s movies, directed by his frequent collaborator Dennis Dugan, You Don’t Mess with the Zohan, is sort of a mess of a project for its lead star. The 2008 film is about the titular Zohan, played by Sandler, an Israeli Special Forces soldier who dreams of becoming a hairdresser. In order to escape his military life, Zohan fakes his death and moves to New York City to pursue his passion for hairdressing.

You Don’t Mess with the Zohan is a comedy that somehow found an audience when it was released, grossing over $204 million at the box office against a budget of $90 million.

It is one of the films of Sandler’s career that scored a Razzie nomination, most likely due to its wild premise that incorporates its cast, which includes John Turturro and Emmanuelle Chriqui. It is over-the-top and ridiculous at times, as Adam Sandler attempts to blend cultural commentary with absurdity.

29. CONEHEADS (1993) ONLY HAS ADAM SANDLER IN A SMALLER ROLE

Coneheads is a science fiction comedy that features the iconic Saturday Night Live characters of the same name. The movie stars Dan Aykroyd and Jane Curtin as Beldar and Prymaat Conehead, a married couple from the planet Remulak who are stranded on Earth and must adapt to life as humans.

Adam Sandler has a small role in the movie as Carmine, a friend of the Conehead family who helps them navigate life on Earth. While Sandler’s role is small, he delivers some hilarious one-liners and comedic moments that add to the overall comedic tone of the film.

The cult classic features a talented cast who all deliver strong comedic performances, including Phil Hartman, Jason Alexander, Chris Farley, and Ellen DeGeneres.

GFR Score calculated using averages of audience and critical reactions across multiple platforms.

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