Movie Review | Every Adam Sandler Film Ranked

Adam Sandler is a cultural phenomenon whose filmography is perhaps one of the most polarising in modern Hollywood.

From the juvenile, high-concept comedies that made him a box office titan to the critically acclaimed dramatic roles that reveal a profound depth, his cinematic output is an undulating graph of critical highs and lows. The “Sandman” has built an empire on a simple, enduring formula: hang out with your friends, play a lovable yet irascible man-child, and throw in a surprisingly sweet moment or two. Then, he’ll pivot and deliver a performance that reminds everyone he’s a serious actor capable of Oscar-worthy work.

This exhaustive ranking explores the entire spectrum of the Sandlerverse, evaluating each film based on its cultural impact, critical reception (using a blend of aggregated scores and general consensus), and lasting comedic or dramatic power.

These first films represent the apex of Sandler’s dramatic work, showcasing a range and intensity that silences his harshest critics. They are cinematic achievements that stand tall regardless of genre.

This is, unequivocally, Adam Sandler’s finest hour. Directed by the Safdie brothers, this anxiety-inducing thriller casts Sandler as Howard Ratner, a diamond district jeweler whose crippling gambling addiction propels him through a series of increasingly frantic and self-destructive decisions. It’s a high-wire act of constant tension. Sandler channels the manic energy of his early comedic personas, but strips away the slapstick, leaving a raw, exposed nerve of a performance that is mesmerizing and terrifying. It earned him the best reviews of his career and cemented his status as a serious dramatic actor.

Paul Thomas Anderson saw the bottled-up rage and underlying sweetness in the Sandler comedy persona and turned it into art. As Barry Egan, a socially anxious bathroom supply salesman prone to bursts of violence, Sandler delivers a beautifully wounded, deeply human performance. It’s a surreal, quirky romantic-comedy-drama that uses Sandler’s established tics to convey profound loneliness and tentative hope. It marked a pivotal shift, demonstrating his willingness to collaborate with visionary directors outside the Happy Madison orbit.

A true underdog story, Hustle is a passion project for the basketball fanatic Sandler, who plays Stanley Sugerman, a down-on-his-luck NBA scout. The film is genuine, emotional, and expertly shot, benefiting from a cast filled with real NBA players and personalities. Sandler’s performance is subtle, focused, and deeply resonant—a mature, world-weary character who earns his success through hard work, not hijinks. It’s arguably his most accessible and universally praised dramatic role of the Netflix era.

Noah Baumbach’s dramedy is a wonderfully observed family portrait where Sandler, as the stay-at-home dad Danny, delivers a sensitive, nuanced performance. Alongside Ben Stiller, he explores sibling rivalry and the burden of a difficult father (Dustin Hoffman) with a subtle, affecting melancholy. It’s a prime example of Sandler elevating a character-driven script.

A quintessential ’90s comedy and a true cult classic. Sandler’s performance as the hot-headed, hockey-player-turned-golfer Happy Gilmore is pure id. It solidified his man-child persona and delivered iconic, endlessly quotable moments, most notably the legendary Bob Barker fight. It’s the film where the “yelling Sandler” perfected his rage.

The film that successfully transitioned Sandler from high-concept SNL buffoonery to a lovable, romantic lead. His chemistry with Drew Barrymore is undeniable, setting the template for one of cinema’s most reliable pairings. It’s ’80s nostalgia wrapped around a genuinely sweet, well-structured romantic comedy. It proved Sandler could anchor a film with heart without sacrificing his humour.

A significant dramatic turn where Sandler plays Charlie Fineman, a man who lost his family on 9/11 and has retreated into a world of music and video games. His performance is quietly devastating, capturing profound grief and isolation. It’s a film that demands empathy and offers a poignant exploration of trauma and male friendship (with Don Cheadle).

A bizarre, yet effective, high-concept comedy where Sandler’s Bobby Boucher, a socially inept water boy with a violent temper, becomes a college football star. It’s peak “silly voice Sandler,” a celebration of the underdog, and a financial juggernaut that further cemented his box office dominance.

Judd Apatow’s semi-autobiographical dramedy has Sandler playing a successful but lonely comedian confronting a life-threatening illness. It’s a grounded, often bleak, and surprisingly introspective look at the comedy world. It sits uniquely between Sandler’s dramatic and comedic worlds, offering a self-aware portrait of fame and friendship.

A surprisingly fresh and critically adored Netflix comedy starring Sandler and his real-life family (daughters Sadie and Sunny, and wife Jackie). It’s a charming, grounded coming-of-age story that uses his presence to lend credibility without relying on his usual schtick. A pleasant surprise.

The second and strongest collaboration with Drew Barrymore. A sweet, inventive romantic comedy where Sandler plays a marine veterinarian who falls for a woman (Barrymore) with Goldfield Syndrome, meaning she can’t form new long-term memories. It effectively balances the classic Sandler comedy with genuine emotional stakes.

A foundational Sandler comedy about a slacker who adopts a young boy to impress his ex-girlfriend. It combines his childish humour with a potent, albeit saccharine, theme of fatherhood. It was one of the biggest box office hits of his career.

The film that launched the “Sandlerverse” cinematic universe. It’s an SNL-inspired movie that set the template: an immature man-child must complete a ridiculous task to inherit his fortune. Its juvenile and absurd humour is a ’90s comedy touchstone.

The first Netflix sequel that actually justified its existence. Reuniting with Jennifer Aniston, Sandler plays a cop who takes his wife on a European vacation that turns into a murder investigation. It’s a breezy, fun, and successful homage to classic detective novels, benefiting greatly from the Sandler-Aniston chemistry.

A remake of the 1974 film, this prison football comedy is elevated by a strong supporting cast. It’s a perfectly serviceable, sports-centric vehicle for the classic Happy Madison ensemble.

The premise of Sandler being forced into anger management with Jack Nicholson as his therapist is gold, but the execution is uneven. Nicholson’s scenery-chewing is a highlight, but the film ultimately feels like a wasted opportunity for a truly great dark comedy.

This high-concept fantasy comedy, about a workaholic architect who gains a universal remote that controls his life, takes a surprisingly dark, emotional turn. It’s a messy film, but its third act provides one of Sandler’s most heartfelt dramatic moments, exploring the cost of taking life for granted.

A bizarre fantasy comedy about the son of the Devil (Sandler’s titular character) sent to Earth. It’s got a weird charm (although not for everyone), it has developed a small cult following for its unique strangeness.

A return to the “silly voice” characters of his youth, this Netflix comedy is a love letter to Halloween and his old SNL collaborators. It’s harmless, nostalgic comfort food, if aggressively juvenile.

The first and better of the two Grown Ups films. It’s less a movie and more an expensive summer vacation for Sandler and his comedy friends (Chris Rock, Kevin James, David Spade, Rob Schneider). It’s low on actual plot but high on chemistry and easygoing laughs for its built-in audience.

A remake of Mr. Deeds Goes to Town. Sandler’s Longfellow Deeds is a small-town man who inherits a massive fortune. It contains a few classic Sandler moments but is otherwise forgettable, relying heavily on its “fish-out-of-water” setup.

Another enjoyable pairing with Jennifer Aniston. It’s a standard-issue romantic comedy with an overly convoluted plot, saved only by the chemistry of its two leads and its beautiful Hawaiian backdrop.

An R-rated comedy with Andy Samberg that pushed the envelope into crude and uncomfortable territory. It features a surprisingly committed performance from Sandler, even if the humour is often mean-spirited and the plot ridiculous.

A comedy attempting to tackle themes of homophobia and gay rights, it’s hampered by a reliance on dated jokes and stereotypes. It has moments of sincerity, but its message is buried under broad, often clumsy humour.

A bit of a bogey, this one, with Sandler reprising one of his most famous roles. The tired alcoholic routine fails to adhere to the outlandish (and mostly unfunny) new-age golf plot.

This tier is where the bulk of Sandler’s most negatively reviewed work resides. These films are generally regarded as lazy, uninspired, and creatively stagnant, yet many remain hugely popular with audiences.

The final Drew Barrymore team-up, this film is a weak entry in their generally strong collaboration. It’s a standard family comedy set in Africa that is mostly forgettable.

James L. Brooks’ film is a tonal mess, yet Sandler is surprisingly good as the kind-hearted, beleaguered chef caught between his neurotic wife (Téa Leoni) and his family’s new, beautiful housekeeper (Paz Vega). A critical “what if” in his dramatic career.

A dramatic fantasy film about a shoemaker who can magically transform into his customers. Despite a decent central concept, it’s executed in a drab, meandering fashion, wasting its dramatic potential.

A forgettable Disney family comedy. It’s the cleanest, most family-friendly film in his catalogue, which unfortunately translates to its being the most sanitised and least engaging.

A rare sequel for Sandler, and a truly unnecessary one. It is a collection of skits and cameos masquerading as a movie, entirely lacking a coherent plot or purpose.

Sandler’s first original film for Netflix and a low point for his brand. A Western parody that drew controversy for its offensive humour and is often cited as one of the laziest films ever made.

A generic buddy comedy with David Spade. Its plot is convoluted, relying on cheap jokes and a massive case of mistaken identity. The epitome of low-effort streaming content.

Famously one of the worst-reviewed films of all time, with Sandler playing both a man and his obnoxious twin sister, Jill. It’s an exhausting, grating comedy that won every Razzie Award it was nominated for.

Adam Sandler’s filmography is a fascinating dichotomy. For every universally praised dramatic triumph like Uncut Gems, there are a dozen low-brow, critically reviled comedies. Yet, it’s the comedies that made him a megastar and gave him the freedom to pursue the passion projects and auteur collaborations that deliver the Masterpieces.

The success of a “Sandler film” is less about critical acclaim and more about the cultural contract he has with his audience: a promise of familiar faces, comfort-food humour, and a good time for the whole gang. While critics may scoff at his lowest-ranked films, they remain hugely watched and profitable, a testament to the enduring loyalty of the millions who grew up with the Sandman.

He doesn’t need to make the “best” movies; he just needs to make movies that his fans—and his friends—enjoy. And in that, he has succeeded wildly, forever securing his reign as the king of cinematic comfort food, occasionally punctuated by a breathtaking performance of genuine dramatic genius.