Adam Sandler has now been in the movie industry for more than 30 years, has made billions of dollars at the box office, and is one of the most bankable actors in history. And though that brings in to question why the quality of his movies are so spotty, Sandler has had just as many movies that are criminally underrated.
Though the actor is critic-proof, as no matter how much negative criticism his movies receive they are still box office hits, there times when critics take a shine to him in his dramatic roles, albeit few and far between. Between Sandler’s goofy voiced 2000s characters and his odd dramatic turns, it’s easy to separate his career into two different camps.
Comedy: Happy Gilmore
Being one of his early films and part of what makes up his production company’s name, Happy Madison, Happy Gilmore is one of Sandler’s best, as it follows the titular character apply his hockey skills to the game of golf.
It’s expectedly ludicrous, features an amazing cameo from Ben Stiller, and it’s even one of the best golf movies, though that might not be much of an accolade.
Drama: Spanglish (2005)
Off the heels of a string of comedic successes, Sandler dove back into the world of drama, fully embracing himself in the themes of the movie, as his co-star, Paz Vega, couldn’t actually speak English during production.
Though it isn’t Sandler’s highest-rated drama of the lot, Spanglish comes with a lot of prestige, as it was directed by James L. Brooks, who helmed Terms of Endearment, and the movie was even scored by Hans Zimmer
Comedy: 50 First Dates
As 50 First Dates is one of three collaborations between Sandler and Drew Barrymore, their follow up to The Wedding Singer is easily their best movie together.
This film is one of the cleverer movies of the actor’s comedies. And though it was widely negatively received, the movie is now looked at as a classic.
Drama: The Meyerowitz Stories
From the mind of Noah Baumbach, The Meyerowitz Stories is a Netflix original movie and at the time of release, it was a relieving break from the relentless slapstick movies like The Ridiculous 6.
The movie co-stars Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman, and Emma Thompson, it has become one of Sandler’s highest-rated movies, and it was even in the running to win the Palm D’Or at Cannes Film Festival.
Comedy: Anger Management
Being an unlikely duo, Sandler teams up with none other than three-time Academy Award winner Jack Nicholson for a comedy in which a passively aggressive Adam Sandler gets anger management from an even angrier lunatic.
Nicholson essentially plays an exaggerated version of his real-life self and it has become one of Nicholson’s most successful movies. He and Sandler make a surprisingly great comedy duo, and it’s unfortunate that it was the only time they ever teamed up.
Drama: Click
Click is one of the few high concept movies Sandler has made, as it follows a typically Sandler-esque character who finds a universal remote in every sense of the word.
The remote allows the user to alter their life however they please. Looking back at the movie, it actually has a lot more depth than critics originally gave it credit for, and it has an amazing supporting role from Christopher Walken.
Comedy: Funny People
Funny People is one of the few of Sandler’s comedy movies that underperformed at the box office, even despite being one of his best movies according to Rotten Tomatoes.
The movie is hilariously self-referential as Sandler plays a fictionalized version of himself, mocking himself for starring in dumb movies. As the character suffers from cancer and there isn’t really any happy ending, as he burns all of his bridges to his friends and relationships, Funny People is actually as much of a drama as it is a comedy.
Drama: Punch Drunk Love
Though Sandler is known for his silly characters in ridiculous comedies, every now and then he surprises people with unlikely collaborations. Punch Drunk Love is written and directed by celebrated director Paul Thomas Anderson, also known for the melodramatic epics There Will Be Blood and Magnolia.
The result is one of the director’s best movies and Sandler’s role as Barry is one of the most memorable performances in a Paul Thomas Anderson movie, even going up against the likes of Daniel Day-Lewis.
Comedy: Big Daddy
One of the most well-known movies of Sandler’s early days, Big Daddy is the most Adam Sandler movie to ever exist. It’s based in New York, full of heartfelt gooey-ness, and features appearances from all of Sandler’s best friends at the time.
The movie features Steve Buscemi, Rob Schneider, Peter Dante, and so many others, and Sandler’s relationship with the child he reluctantly becomes the carer for is equally hilarious and sincere.
Drama: Uncut Gems (2019)
The fact that Adam Sandler wasn’t nominated for an Academy Award for his role 0f Howard is absolutely outrageous and possibly the biggest snub in the ceremony’s history.
Uncut Gems is the most heart-stopping thriller of the 21st century and every single viewer will endure anxiety and clammy hands while watching. As Howard makes one mistake after another, Sandler portrays the character brilliantly and it’s undoubtedly his best dramatic performance.