Top 10 Adam Sandler movies that’ll have you laughing, crying, and quoting for days

Adam Sandler Movies | Images via Netflix
Adam Sandler Movies | Images via Netflix

Adam Sandler built his career on being funny, but his finest films revealed that he can make his fans laugh, cry, and remember him in quotations many years later. Many were surprised when Sandler began delivering heartfelt and emotional performances. He was one of the best comedians for his silly and slapstick roles.

Whether it was romantic comedies or grim dramas, he was much more diverse than fans expected during the early stages of his career. This list examines ten iconic Adam Sandler films that, in addition to making people laugh, also convey emotion, pain, joy, and growth. All of the movies emphasized Sandler's ability to make even the most bizarre or comical films sincere.

Disclaimer: This article is solely the writer's opinion. Reader's discretion is advised.


Here is the list of the top 10 Adam Sandler movies that’ll have you laughing, crying, and quoting for days:

10. Spanglish (2004)

Adam Sandler as John Clasky in Spanglish | Image via Netflix
Adam Sandler as John Clasky in Spanglish | Image via Netflix

In Spanglish, Adam Sandler plays John Clasky, a cheerful cook and single dad who makes friends with his Mexican housekeeper and her adolescent daughter. After Cristina complains about her new private school, John consoles her with a home-cooked meal, capturing a poignant moment.

The audience laughs at his failed attempt to communicate in Spanish, cries every time the mother-daughter relationship gets stronger, and repeats John’s simple truths. Fans’ reactions were fairly mild, but Sandler's endearing transition into drama won praise from critics. He softly mentors Cristina into her feelings and states,

“What you want for yourself matters”

It is also one of the quotations that can be heard many times after the film.


9. 50 First Dates (2004)

Adam Sandler as Henry Roth in 50 First Dates | Image via Netflix
Adam Sandler as Henry Roth in 50 First Dates | Image via Netflix

Adam Sandler plays the part of Hawaiian veterinarian Henry Roth in the film 50 First Dates. Every night, he meets Lucy, who doesn’t recognize him each day due to her memory loss. Henry strengthens their bond by waking her up every morning and starting over.

One of the fan-favorite moments is when Henry arranges a date on a boat. Every morning, he welcomes Lucy with joy, creating new memories. It is hilarious, lovable, and heartwarming as he reminds her every day. The audience giggles at his persistence, sobs when he feels pain, and chants the phrase that he repeats every morning. The film's heartwarming and original love story has won praise from some Reddit users. It is straightforward, naive, and highlights Sandler's endearing qualities in a romantic comedy.


8. Big Daddy (1999)

Adam Sandler as Sonny Koufax in Big Daddy | Image via Netflix
Adam Sandler as Sonny Koufax in Big Daddy | Image via Netflix

In Big Daddy, Adam Sandler portrays Sonny Koufax, a reckless man who adopts a child to win over his fiancée. Baby Julian is brought into Sonny's chaotic life. One of the scenes that you will remember is when Sonny is teaching Julian, and they play soccer in the park using a car. Sonny's love is still evident despite the game's complete failure and a few humorous mishaps.

Viewers laugh at the ridiculous parenting. Sonny mentions the heartfelt care in the scenes, which brings tears to people's eyes. The reason why fans still speak of the way Sonny cares and errs is to make the movie relatable. It demonstrates how Sandler combines a funny actor and a caring character in a light-hearted family movie.


7. Billy Madison (1995)

Adam Sandler as Billy Madison | Image via Prime Video
Adam Sandler as Billy Madison | Image via Prime Video

Adam Sandler portrays a pampered Billy Madison in Billy Madison, a spoiled heir who must repeat the school's grades 1–12 as a rite of inheritance. In one of the story's most memorable scenes, a shampoo and a conditioner engage in a boisterous argument while singing to a swan that resembles a faucet. At this ridiculousness, the audience erupts in uncontrollable laughter and mimics phrases like

“Stop looking at me, Swan!”

The cheesy supporting characters, such as Juanita and Mrs. Lippy, whose antics fans love, are also memorable for their one-liners. The content is wacky, heartwarming, and worth watching again.


6. Happy Gilmore (1996)

Adam Sandler in Happy Gilmore | Image via Netflix
Adam Sandler in Happy Gilmore | Image via Netflix

Adam Sandler plays the lead role of Happy Gilmore, a hockey player who decides to play professional golf in an attempt to preserve his grandmother's house. One of the legendary scenes is the fight against the game show host who transforms into a golfer. Happy loses it, and the fight brings not only an unexpected shock but also humor.

Fans cheered when he defended himself and continued to do so when he yelled at the crowd, but it was the unexpected battle that made them laugh out loud. Fans praise Sandler's energy while repeatedly watching the fight scene on Reddit. It's a scene from the past that combines comedy and sports with some heartwarming sentiments about helping family members.


5. The Wedding Singer (1998)

Adam Sandler as Robbie Hart in The Wedding Singer | Image via Max
Adam Sandler as Robbie Hart in The Wedding Singer | Image via Max

Adam Sandler plays Robbie Hart, a bereft wedding singer who falls in love with Julia, a waitress, in the film The Wedding Singer. Shortly after they met on a plane, he is shown singing "Grow Old with You" as a genuine way to pop the question. His voice broke with emotion, and his followers sobbed and laughed. One person on Reddit wrote:

“I cried my eyes out when he started to sing ‘growin’ old with you’… it was so beautiful, funny and sweet.”

Comment lines, such as “They were Coooneeeeess!!” are still quoted by the fans in modern times.


4. The Meyerowitz Stories (2017)

Adam Sandler as Danny Meyerowitz in The Meyerowitz Stories | Image via Netflix
Adam Sandler as Danny Meyerowitz in The Meyerowitz Stories | Image via Netflix

Adam Sandler plays Danny Meyerowitz, a stay-at-home dad and struggling musician in The Meyerowitz Stories. The scene that touches many people depicts him yelling at traffic due to frustration. It is humorous at first, but then it shows his severe stress. Its sincerity causes people to laugh at the explosive situation, cry, and discuss it.

In addition to Sandler's humorous character, critics were impressed by his portrayal of an actor's real anguish and wrath. Online followers claim that this is a poignant point in his dramatic career, as he uses anguish and laughter to help him heal.


3. Hustle (2022)

Adam Sandler as Stanley Sugerman in Hustle | Image via Netflix
Adam Sandler as Stanley Sugerman in Hustle | Image via Netflix

Hustle is an Adam Sandler movie where he stars as Stanley Sugerman, an NBA scout who diligently looks to salvage his job. One particular scene, in which he is giving an uplifting speech to Bo Cruz, one of his raw finds in Spain, is particularly noteworthy. Stanley motivates Bo to fully commit to the NBA dream.

The audience experienced a range of emotions while watching Sandler. They found themselves laughing at his dry humor and felt moved to tears by his heartfelt passion. Many were motivated to consider how, in their own lives, diligence and hard work can be more significant than innate talent.

Fans rated his performance on Reddit, with one saying it was so inspiring, captivating, and charismatic that it moved them to tears. Critics also pointed out that this is one of his best performances, as he conveys both pathos and sincerity. This is an older and more serious Sandler.


2. Uncut Gems (2019)

Adam Sandler as Howard Ratner in Uncut Gems | Image via Netflix
Adam Sandler as Howard Ratner in Uncut Gems | Image via Netflix

In Uncut Gems, Adam Sandler does a turnaround into the role of Howard Ratner, who is an anxious jeweler and gambler. The dramatic moment is when Howard is seated in his office, broken after losing thousands. He falls on a chair and weeps as Julia tells him that she has him tattooed on her body—his love and sorrow meet. The viewers were tense, anxious, and emotional. On Reddit, fans dub it

"Possibly Adam Sandler’s best film"

and recommend the door buzzer scene to induce panic. The line "I grew to love the man" explains why the performance had such an impact on Sandler.


1. Punch-Drunk Love (2002)

Punch-Drunk Love—one of Adam Sandler's top movies | Image via Netflix
Punch-Drunk Love—one of Adam Sandler's top movies | Image via Netflix

In Punch-Drunk Love, Adam Sandler plays Barry Egan, an anxious man who falls in love with a woman named Lena. After buying as much pudding as he can, Barry joyfully dances down a supermarket aisle in one such scene. The scene is sly and awkward, but as Barry lets go of all his tensions, it undoubtedly transforms into a righteous joy. He fooled people with his unusual gestures, got viewers to shed a tear or two when he struck an emotional chord, and made people remember that crazy dance and reference it in the days to come.

The critics were applauding the performance that ventured into a personal depth of nervousness and love that is normally not associated with the character portrayed by Sandler. His awkwardness and courage make his fans adore the fact that the path of wayward Barry is frequent and vulnerable. This movie made Sandler a reputable actor.


It is concluded that this compilation of Adam Sandler's movies revealed that he was a profoundly poignant storyteller in addition to being a comic. Viewers were moved by these parts, quoting phrases that stuck with them months after the credits rolled, and laughing at unexpected moments. Sandler left an impression by portraying a man who falls in love, a loving parent, and a broken jeweler, one day at a time.

Both fans in forums and critics alike realized that he could juggle comedy with pathos. Despite a somewhat negative image from these movies, Adam Sandler managed to turn his image around and gain both love and respect as a comedian with more to offer as an actor.

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Edited by Sezal Srivastava