From his comedic beginning with Saturday Night Live, actor Adam Sandler has been entertaining audiences for over 20 years. I remember him as one of my favorites on SNL, and through my early teen years everyone loved his over-the-top comedy roles on screen. To celebrate his bday here is our list of his top ten films… enjoy!
10) Anger Management – 2003
Sandler costars with Jack Nicholson in this slapstick comedy.
9) 50 First Dates – 2004
I loved the use of Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakwiwo’ole in this movie.
8) You Don’t mess with the Zohan – 2008
Sandler plays an Israeli counter-terrorist commando who tires of war and runs away to America to pursue his true passion of hair styling. Bonus point to Sandler (who is Jewish) for attempting to inject a bit of humour into the ever-present Israel-Palestine tensions.
7) Big Daddy – 1999
The actual father of the little boy Sandler’s character takes in turns out to be his friend Kevin, played by comedic newsman John Stewart.
6) Funny People – 2009
Longer in length, and more serious than most Sandler comedy films, but definitely one of his better films in recent years.
5) Punchdrunk Love – 2002
This was Sandler’s first dramatic role outside of comedy, and it earned him his only Golden Globe nomination.
4) The Wedding Singer – 1998
Classis Sandler… this movie was later made into a Broadway musical.
3) The Waterboy – 1998
Stuttering mama’s boy Bobby Boucher learns how to unleash his pent up rage on the football field, and becomes an all-star college linebacker in this classic Sandler flick.
2) Billy Madison – 1995
In his breakthrough film Sandler plays a 27 year old spoiled rich kid who has to repeat grades K-12 to prove to his father that he’s capable of running the family business.
1) Happy Gilmore – 1996
The film that made him a star. Who can ever forget his epic fight with Bob Barker?!