10 Best Adam Sandler Movies of All Time
Looking for the best Adam Sandler movies to watch?
This list covers 10 of his top films that fans and critics love most. From laugh-out-loud comedies to heartfelt performances, Sandler has done it all.
Adam Sandler has done everything from silly comedies to love stories and serious dramas. Critics don’t always agree on his movies, but fans love his mix of laughs and emotion.
Here are the top 10 movies of Adam Sandler, ranked by IMDb ratings from highest to lowest.
1. Reign Over Me (2007): IMDb rating ⭐ 7.4/10
Sandler delivers a powerful performance as Charlie Fineman, a man grieving the loss of his family on 9/11. His reunion with an old friend (Don Cheadle) forms the emotional core of this drama.
Sandler steps out of his comedic comfort zone here, showing his depth as an actor.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Mike Binder |
| Genre | Comedy/Drama |
| Running time | 2h 4m |
| Release date | 23 March 2007 (USA) |
Why Watch This Movie? Reign Over Me shows a different side of Adam Sandler, serious, emotional, and real. It’s a powerful story about grief, friendship, and healing after loss.
If you like heartfelt movies that mean something, this one’s worth your time.
2. Happy Gilmore (1996): IMDb rating ⭐ 7.0/10
A hockey reject turned golf sensation, Happy Gilmore is peak Sandler chaos. With iconic one-liners and a legendary fight scene against Bob Barker, this sports comedy remains a fan favorite. It’s loud, absurd, and endlessly quotable.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Dennis Dugan |
| Genre | Comedy/Sport |
| Running time | 1h 32m |
| Release date | 16 February 1996 (USA) |
Why Watch This Movie? Watch Happy Gilmore for a fun, crazy mix of golf and slapstick comedy. Adam Sandler plays a loud, angry hockey player who tries golf, and somehow makes it work.
It’s goofy, unexpected, and full of laughs from start to finish.
3. The Wedding Singer (1998): IMDb rating ⭐ 6.9/10
Set in the ’80s, Sandler plays Robbie Hart, a wedding singer dumped at the altar. His chemistry with Drew Barrymore shines in this rom-com, blending humor and nostalgia. The soundtrack alone is worth the watch.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Frank Coraci |
| Genre | Comedy/Romance |
| Running time | 1h 35m |
| Release date | 13 February 1998 (USA) |
Why Watch This Movie? Watch The Wedding Singer (1998) for a fun mix of love, laughs, and ‘80s music. Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore have great chemistry, and the story is sweet, funny, and easy to enjoy. It’s feel-good entertainment.
4. 50 First Dates (2004): IMDb rating ⭐ 6.8/10
Sandler and Barrymore reunite in this charming tale about a woman with short-term memory loss. It’s sweet, funny, and set against the stunning backdrop of Hawaii. A rare Sandler rom-com that balances laughs with genuine emotion.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Peter Segal |
| Genre | Comedy/Romance |
| Running time | 1h 39m |
| Release date | 13 February 2004 (USA) |
Why Watch This Movie? Watch 50 First Dates because it’s a funny, sweet story about love and patience. Adam Sandler’s character falls for a woman who forgets him every day, and he keeps winning her heart again. It’s heartwarming and entertaining.
5. Blended (2014): IMDb rating ⭐ 6.5/10
Sandler and Barrymore team up for the third time as single parents stuck on a disastrous family vacation in Africa. While critics were mixed, fans loved the duo’s chemistry and the film’s heartwarming moments.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Frank Coraci |
| Genre | Comedy/Romance |
| Running time | 1h 57m |
| Release date | May 23, 2014 (USA) |
Why Watch This Movie? For a funny, feel-good story about two single parents who can’t stand each other but end up on a wild family vacation. It’s light, charming, and perfect for a relaxed night with laughs and heart.
6. Click (2006): IMDb rating ⭐ 6.4/10
A workaholic architect (Sandler) discovers a magical remote that fast-forwards his life. What starts as a comedy takes a dark turn, exploring regrets and family bonds. It’s surprisingly poignant for a Sandler film.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Frank Coraci |
| Genre | Comedy/Fantasy |
| Running time | 1h 47m |
| Release date | 23 June 2006 (USA) |
Why Watch This Movie? Watch Click (2006) for a funny, touching story about a man who gets a remote that controls his life. It’s entertaining, emotional, and reminds you to value time, family, and living in the moment before it’s too late.
7. Big Daddy (1999): IMDb rating ⭐ 6.4/10
Sandler plays a lazy law graduate who adopts a kid to impress his girlfriend. The film mixes slapstick humor (think gorilla masks and messy diapers) with a heartfelt message about responsibility.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Dennis Dugan |
| Genre | Comedy/Family |
| Running time | 1h 33m |
| Release date | 17 June 1999 (USA) |
Why Watch This Movie? It’s a funny, heartwarming story about a lazy guy who suddenly has to raise a kid. It’s got laughs, real emotion, and shows how unexpected responsibility can turn someone into a better person.
8. Spanglish (2004): IMDb rating ⭐ 6.4/10
In this dramedy, Sandler stars as a chef navigating cultural clashes with his Mexican housekeeper (Paz Vega). It’s a quieter, more mature role for Sandler, showcasing his ability to handle nuanced characters.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | James L. Brooks |
| Genre | Comedy/Romance |
| Running time | 2h 11m |
| Release date | 17 December 2004 (USA) |
Why Watch This Movie? For a heartfelt story about family, culture, and communication. It’s funny, emotional, and real, showing how love and misunderstandings shape our lives.
Great acting and a unique story make it worth your time.
9. Anger Management (2003): IMDb rating ⭐ 6.3/10
Sandler plays a mild-mannered man forced into therapy with an eccentric counselor (Jack Nicholson). The duo’s chaotic dynamic drives this comedy, packed with over-the-top gags and Nicholson’s scene-stealing antics.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Peter Segal |
| Genre | Comedy/Drama |
| Running time | 1h 46m |
| Release date | 11 April 2003 (USA) |
Why Watch This Movie? Anger Management is a fun comedy about a calm guy forced into therapy with a wild counselor. It’s full of laughs, unexpected moments, and shows how crazy but funny dealing with anger can be. Great for light entertainment.
10. Funny People (2009): IMDb rating ⭐ 6.3/10
Directed by Judd Apatow, this film stars Sandler as a comedian facing a terminal illness. It’s a meta-commentary on fame and loneliness, blending stand-up humor with raw emotional moments.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Judd Apatow |
| Genre | Comedy/Drama/Dark Comedy |
| Running time | 2h 26m |
| Release date | July 31, 2009 (United States) |
Why Watch This Movie? Watch Funny People (2009) for a mix of real-life struggles and dark humor. It’s about comedians, friendships, and second chances, funny, emotional, and more honest than most comedies.
Honorable Mentions of Best Adam Sandler Movies
Uncut Gems (2019) and Hustle (2022) are critically acclaimed but not ranked here due to lower IMDb scores in the search results.
Classics like Billy Madison (1995) and The Waterboy (1998) also have dedicated fan bases but scored slightly lower.
So, what is your best Adam Sandler movie?
