He’s the man of $100 million box office hits. Whether he’s starring in his trademark goofy comedies from his own Happy Madison production company or more ambitious dramedies, Sandler’s been one of the busiest guys in showbiz for years, and one of the most profitable. Here, in time for his latest man-child comedy Grown Ups 2, we take a look at some of the milestones on Sandler’s road to comedy movie superstardom.
Strangely enough, Sandler started off third-string in his first major motion picture, behind early ‘90s star Brendan Fraser and Steve Buscemi. Together, they’re “The Lone Rangers,” a heavy metal group that hijacks a radio station to get more airtime. It’s a sleight film, but one that has lots of cult admirers who enjoy seeing Sandler steal the show as dimwitted rocker Pip.
This early Sandler star vehicle features the comedian doing what he does best – acting the man-child part to the hilt. Here, Sandler’s Billy Madison - an heir to his dad’s corporate empire - is forced to prove himself first by re-taking and passing grades 1-12 in 24 weeks.
Along with Caddyshack, Happy Gilmore is perhaps the greatest golf comedy, and one of Sandler’s most beloved movies. As an unsuccessful hockey player who possesses a powerful swing on the links, Sandler gets to have all kinds of good fun with co-stars Carl Weathers, Christopher McDonald’s “Shooter McGavin” and – in a classic cameo – “The Price Is Right”’s Bob Barker.
Here’s where Sandler the superstar really broke out, playing a wedding singer from the ‘80s who’s not just loud, but also awfully loveable alongside equally adorable waitress Drew Barrymore. The story’s nothing too original, but the soundtrack is spot-on, and the stars have a sweet chemistry.
After the phenomenal success of The Wedding Singer, Sandler scored again in 1998 with the outrageous tale of The Waterboy, a stuttering guy named Bobby Boucher with anger management issues that allow him to transform into a football machine and knock the stuffing out of opposing running backs. Similar to Happy Gilmore, it’s an easy laugher with classic Sandler temper tantrums.
Sandler showed some signs of evolvement with this tale of a man-child who actually has to take care of a real child. Of course, the big daddy in question is really posing as the guardian of his buddy’s kid in order to show responsibility and win back his old girlfriend. But those are minor quibbles, right?
The first real “grownup” role for Sandler was this critically acclaimed P.T. Anderson arthouse dramedy. Sandler stars as a small business owner whose chance at love with a shy family acquaintance is threatened by some bizarre circumstances involving a phone sex hotline. It’s dark, tense entertainment – and well worth watching for Sandler’s intense performance.
Six years after their initial pairing onscreen, Sandler and Drew Barrymore reunited for more romantic hijinx, this time in Hawaii, where Sandler’s lovestruck veterinarian vies for the hand of Barrymore’s art teacher – a woman with a peculiar form of amnesia where she loses her memory every night.
Sandler teamed up with filmmaker James L. Brooks (Terms of Endearment) for this drama/comedy about a well-known chef (Sandler), his wife and two kids, and their relationship with their Mexican housekeeper (Paz Vega) and her kids. It’s leagues away from Happy Gilmore, but as with Punch-Drunk Love, Sandler shows he can handle a punchline and straight-ahead dramatic fare.
While some of its post-09/11 themes are more well-meaning than successfully conveyed onscreen, this tale of loss – a story of a man (Sandler) whose family perished on 09/11, and who reconnects to society with the help of his former college roommate (Don Cheadle) – once again showcases Sandler’s ability, and willingness, to stretch his dramatic chops.
True to his base of admirers who prefer him in more lighthearted projects, Sandler returned to his bread and butter with You Don’t Mess with the Zohan, a movie that recounts the adventures of an ex-Israeli commando known as the Zohan, who journeys to New York to accomplish his lifelong dream of becoming a top hairstylist.
Sort of the middle ground between his juvenile comedies and his “adult” fare, Grown Ups found Sandler mixing it up with literal kids and fellow comedy stars Chris Rock, David Spade, Kevin James and Rob Schneider as childhood friends who get together for a raucous Fourth of July weekend – with their respective clans - and fan bases - in tow.
The all-star comedy cast from Grown Ups returns (with some new additions) for more summertime laughs. Lenny (Adam Sandler) has relocated his family back to the small town where he and his friends grew up. This time around, the grown ups are the ones learning lessons from their kids. Grab tickets here!
Celebrate the rise, the rivalry, and the moments that make legends!
*GOAT bobblehead bundle is non-refundable. Domestic shipping will be added at checkout. Limited time offer. While supplies last. Movie ticket is non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a bundle. The bobblehead will begin shipping in March. Please use a physical U.S. address where the bobblehead shipment can be delivered. Once carrier confirms delivery, Fandango is not responsible for lost or stolen deliveries. See full terms and conditions at https://redeem.fandango.com/products/goatbobbleheadbundle.
Buy 1 ticket to see the Winter Olympics in theaters, get 1 free (with purchase of ticket of equal or greater price, up to $15 total) with code OLYMPICSBOGO.
Limited time offer. While supplies last. There is a limited quantity of Code redemptions allowed in this promotion. Log into your Fandango account on Fandango.com or via the Fandango app between 1/23/26 and 2/22/26, buy at least one adult ticket to see the Winter Olympics at a participating Fandango theater, and use the Fandango Promotional Code OLYMPICSBOGO (""Code"") to get up to $15 off a second ticket (equal or lesser value, up to $15 total ticket price and associated fees and charges) in the same transaction for the same showtime. Code expires, and can no longer be used, upon the earlier of 11:59pm PT on 2/22/26, or the limit of Code redemptions being reached, or the Winter Olympics no longer being available in theaters. One-time use only. Code must be entered at checkout. Only valid for purchase of movie tickets made at Fandango.com or via the Fandango app and cannot be redeemed directly at any theater box office. If cost of additional movie ticket and associated fees and charges is more than Code's maximum discount, then user must pay the difference. Any price difference between total transaction price and Code's maximum discount will not be refunded. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account to redeem a Code. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. No cash value, except as required by law. Void where prohibited. Not valid with any other offer. Offer valid in U.S. only (excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law). Non-transferable. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. You may have to pay taxes additionally. Limit one Code per person. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer and redemption of the Code are subject to Fandango’s Terms and Policies at www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Not a member? Add FanClub to your Scream 7 IMAX ticket purchase and the offer will be applied automatically, no promo code needed.
The “FanClub Members Get 1 An Exclusive IMAX Upgrade for Scream 7 Promotion” offer (the “Offer”) begins February 9, 2026, while supplies last, and is available to both existing and new Fandango FanClub members, subject to the terms below. Existing Fandango FanClub members may receive one (1) IMAX upgrade (up to $7 off one IMAX ticket) for Scream 7 by entering promo code SCREAM7IMAX at checkout during a qualifying purchase of Scream 7 IMAX movie tickets on Fandango. Discount is limited to one (1) $7 discount per order. Non-members must enroll in a Fandango FanClub membership by adding FanClub to their cart during checkout of a Scream 7 IMAX movie ticket purchase to qualify for the Offer. When FanClub is added to the cart, the Offer will be automatically applied at checkout and no promo code is required. Offer is valid only for IMAX showtimes of Scream 7 and applies as a discount of up to $7 off one qualifying ticket. Any remaining ticket balance, fees, and applicable taxes are the responsibility of the customer. The Offer is non-transferable, has no cash value, and cannot be combined with other offers unless expressly stated. Adjustments to prior purchases are not permitted. Fandango reserves the right to withdraw or modify this Offer at any time, in its sole discretion and without notice. Additional terms and conditions apply. See the Fandango FanClub Program Terms for details at www.fandango.com/policies/fanclub-terms.
Buy a ticket to Homecoming: The Tokyo Series, take 15% off at MLBshop.com!
Limited time offer. While supplies last. There is a limited quantity of MLBShop.com promotional code (“Code”) redemptions available in this promotion. Log into your Fandango account on Fandango.com or via the Fandango app between February 9 and February 24, 2026, and purchase at least one (1) ticket to see Homecoming: The Tokyo Series at a participating Fandango theater. You will receive a post-purchase email containing a Code good for fifteen percent (15%) off a single eligible order at MLBShop.com. Code must be entered at checkout on MLBshop.com to receive discount. Limit one (1) Code redemption per customer. Code valid online only, on qualifying product order of in-stock merchandise. Code expires, and can no longer be used, at 11:59 p.m. ET on April 15, 2026. Discount excludes on sale items, limited quantity items, select jerseys and other brands' merchandise (including, but not limited to, Topps baseball cards); additional exclusions may apply. Not valid for gift certificates, gift cards, taxes, shipping, handling or other services. Cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion. Except where required by law, cannot be redeemed for cash or cash equivalent. Not valid on previous purchases. No cash back. All purchases on MLBshop.com are subject to MLBshop.com terms and conditions, which may change at any time. MLBshop.com also reserves the right to change the terms and conditions applicable to discount codes at any time. Void where prohibited. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account to receive a Code. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer is subject to Fandango’s terms and policies at https://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies and the Code is subject to MLB Shop's terms and policies at https://www.mlbshop.com/promo-exclusions/x-4764
Special offer for EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert!
Limited time offer. Log in to your Fandango account on Fandango.com or via the Fandango app between 1/22/26 and 2/27/26, and buy one (1) or more tickets to see Baz Luhrmann’s EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert at a participating Fandango theater. You will receive a post-purchase email containing a promotional code (“Code”) that is good for 20% off your purchase of the official soundtrack album, available on vinyl or CD. Code is redeemable until March 1, 2026, via the redemption link https://Elvis.lnk.to/EPiCFandango. No cash value; non-transferable; may not be resold, refunded, or exchanged. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account to receive a Code. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer is subject to Fandango’s Terms and Policies at www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Start your Anime Nights adventure! Get a ticket to Fruits Basket -prelude- and Collectible Hime pin.
*Fruits Basket -prelude- Pin Bundle is non-refundable. Domestic shipping will be added at checkout. Limited time offer. While supplies last. Movie tickets are non-refundable, non-exchangeable and available for select locations only (please visit here for a list of locations). Movie tickets are only valid for Fruits Basket -prelude- on February 16, 2026. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a bundle. The Collectible Hime Pin will begin shipping in February. Please use a physical U.S. address where the Collectible Hime Pin shipment can be delivered. Once carrier confirms delivery, Fandango is not responsible for lost or stolen deliveries. See full terms and conditions at https://redeem.fandango.com/products/fruitsbasket-prelude-pinbundle
Buy a ticket to "Wuthering Heights", get an exclusive discount for Charli xcx's Wuthering Heights vinyl.
Limited time offer. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app between 9am PT on 1/14/26 and 11:59pm PT on 2/15/26 and purchase at least one movie ticket to "Wuthering Heights." Purchaser will receive a post purchase email containing a link (“Link”) to the Atlantic website that is good for 15% off the purchase of the Charli xcx Wuthering Heights vinyl. Link expires, and can no longer be used, at 11:59pm PT on 2/18/26. Limit 1 purchase per Link. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account to receive the Link. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. This offer is subject to Fandango’s terms and policies at https://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies and the Link is subject to Atlantic's terms and policies at https://www.atlanticrecords.com/terms-of-use.
Get the Pond Crew Pin Bundle and receive one movie ticket to Hoppers ticket plus one exclusive character pin featuring Mabel, Tom, or King George!
*Pond Crew Pin Bundle is non-refundable. Domestic shipping will be added at checkout. Limited time offer. While supplies last. Movie ticket is non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a bundle. Official Disney Exclusive Collector Pin will begin shipping in February. Please use a physical U.S. address where the Official Disney Exclusive Collector Pin shipment can be delivered. Once carrier confirms delivery, Fandango is not responsible for lost or stolen deliveries. See full terms and conditions at https://redeem.fandango.com/products/pondcrewpinbundle
Draft your team and bring your starting lineup to GOAT! Buy 4 tickets, get 1 free (equal or lesser price, up to $15) with code GOATB4G1.
Limited time offer. While supplies last. There is a limited quantity of Code redemptions allowed in this promotion. Log into your Fandango account on Fandango.com or via the Fandango app between 6:00am PT on 1/21/26 and 11:59pm PT on 4/30/26, purchase at least four (4) tickets to see GOAT, and use the Fandango Promotional Code GOATB4G1 (“Code”) to get up to $15 off one (1) additional ticket for the same showtime (equal or lesser value, up to $15 total ticket price and associated fees and charges). Code must be entered at checkout. Code expires and can no longer be used after 11:59pm PT on 4/30/26, or when GOAT is no longer in theaters, or when the limit of Code redemptions is reached, whichever comes first. Only valid for purchase of movie tickets made at Fandango.com or via the Fandango app and cannot be redeemed directly at any theater box office. You must have a Fandango account, and be logged into your account, to use the Code. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. No cash value, except as required by law. Void where prohibited. Not valid with any other offer. Offer valid in U.S. only (excluding U.S territories and where prohibited by law). Non-transferable. One-time use only. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. You may have to pay taxes additionally. If cost of the ticket (and associated fees and charges) obtained through the Code is more than Code’s maximum discount, then you must pay the difference. Any price difference between total transaction price and Code’s maximum discount will not be refunded. Limit 1 Code redemption per person. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer and redemption of the Code are subject to Fandango’s Terms and Policies at www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.