The Top 10 Funny Adam Sandler Movies

From Billy Madison to Pixels, and everything in between.

In the comedy world, few performers are as polarizing as Adam Sandler. Some people love him; others hate him with the heat of a thousand fiery suns. Granted, some of Sandler's movies are undeniably awful - who else remembers the abomination that was I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry? However, there are a few diamonds in the rough that fit solidly into the comedy film canon. These movies might not be good enough to win an Academy Award or anything like that, but they're still solidly entertaining and have some great, enduring jokes that are still in circulation over a decade later.

Here's a list of the ten best Adam Sandler movies ever made (so far!).

01
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"Billy Madison" (1995)

Via Playbuzz.

I love silly, cartoonish movies and this one has a perfect premise: to gain a fortune, a man must go back to school, repeating grades 1-12. 

Anyone who has ever maneuvered their way through a public school education will recognize the funny, and ridiculous, characters you meet along the way. There are quotable bullies ("O'Doyle rules!"), slacker friends, a very odd Kindergarten teacher, and even a beautiful love interest (Modern Family's Julie Bowen).

02
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"The Wedding Singer" (1998)

Via IMDB.

This is a cute film with numbing by-the-numbers plot which slogs through 1985 settings to name drop for easy jokes, while Adam wins Drew Barrymore. High points: cameos by Jon Lovitz, crooning "Ladies Night," and Steve Buscemi's frilly pink tuxedo shirt with turquoise bowtie. 

Speaking of awkward and bizarre weddings... you have to see 20 Of The Weirdest Wedding Photos Ever Taken!

03
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"Happy Gilmore" (1996)

Via IMDB.

Foul-mouthed, hot-tempered hockey player transforms himself into foul-mouthed, hot-tempered golfer in a picture which fancies itself as another "Caddyshack," but is more like a divot. Bob Barker's bit may be the funniest in any Sandler comedy ever.

"The price is WRONG, b*tch!"

You just haven't fully lived until you've experienced an octogenarian beating up Adam Sandler with a golf club.

04
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"The Waterboy" (1998)

Via NFL.com.

As usual with Adam's films, supporting actors (Kathy Bates as Mama!) and maybe a rare scripted idea provide the laughs in this tale of a mumbling, bumbling innocent, whom after 18 years as a career waterboy, suddenly finds himself as the new football ace. 

Normally football movies aren't something I'd go out of my way for, but The Waterboy, with its silly puns and many quotable lines, is the exception to the rule.

05
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"Little Nicky" (2000)

Via IMDB.

Adam goes to Hell, on purpose. He's the son of Satan in an overblown special effects flick with a lazy grab bag of comedy.

This is one of those movies that might make you feel a bit embarrassed for enjoying it so much, but don't worry. Your secret is safe with us.

06
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"Big Daddy" (1999)

Via Fans Share.

Adam Sandler plays a grown up who acts more like a kid, until his girlfriend breaks up with him. Then he decides that the best way to become an instant adult is to adopt a six year-old kid... so that's what he does. Unfortunately, kids don't come with a return policy, so Adam is not only forced to grow up, but he is also forced to learn a few valuable life lessons.

07
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"Mr. Deeds" (2002)

Via DVD Covers.

This remake of "Mr. Deeds Goes To Town" (1936) stars Sandler as a nice guy from New Hampshire (a big stretch for this real-life nice guy from New Hampshire) who suddenly inherits tons of money from an uncle he didn't know existed. 

Adam's usual cast of friends all get roles here, including Rob Schneider's now-iconic "You can do it!" guy.

08
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"50 First Dates" (2004)

Via Wikipedia.

Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler team up again to play Lucy, a woman whose short term memory loss is so bad that her family and friends find it easier to just pretend to live the same day over and over again, rather than upset her. When Sandler falls in love with her, it becomes clear that it's time to move on for Lucy. 

09
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"Grown Ups"  (2010)

Via DVD Release.

Adam assembles his usual group of guy friends for this romp of a movie that appeals to both the young, and the young at heart. When their childhood basketball coach dies, Sandler and his friends Steve Buscemi, Kevin James, and Chris Rock reunite with their respective families and discover that age doesn't always bring wisdom.

These Grown Ups movies are all a thinly-disguised reason for Sandler and his friends to take a vacation. And that's okay.

10
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"Pixels" (2015)

Via IMDB.

Okay, so the premise is far-fetched, but bear with us. Aliens are attacking the world, and they're doing so by imitating 1980s video game characters! Only one man has the Atari-honed skills to take them on, and that man is... Adam Sandler, of course. (You were expecting someone else?)

If you can get past the fact that Kevin James plays the President of the United States of America (I'll wait until you stop laughing), and you enjoy 80s gaming nostalgia, you will thoroughly enjoy this silly movie.

11
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BONUS MOVIE: Blended (2014)

Via IMDB.

Sandler teams up with his favorite female costar, Drew Barrymore, for yet another "paid vacation" film. This time, the usual crew heads to Africa for a safari-themed movie about blended families. Barrymore brings her usual likeable, goofy persona to the table, while Sandler sticks with what works: playing himself. The excellent Terry Crews brings a whole new level of humor to this goofy family film. It's worth the watch for Crews' musical numbers - yes, really! - alone.

This article was edited and updated by Beverly Jenkins on January 30, 2017.

That's gotta hurt!