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!
Buy a ticket to The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, get The SpongeBob SquarePants Triple Feature bundle for $7.99 on Fandango at Home!
Limited time offer. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app and purchase, between 12:01am PT on 11/24/25 and 11:59pm PT on 12/26/25, at least one movie ticket to ‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants'. Purchaser will receive a post-purchase email containing 1 Fandango at Home Promotional Code (“Code”) that is good for the purchase (and not the rental) of The SpongeBob SquarePants Triple Feature bundle for $7.99 in My Offers in your account on http://fandangoathome.com and via participating Fandango at Home apps. 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. Code expires on (and must be used by) 12/30/25 at 11:59pm PT. Limit one per transaction. You may have to pay taxes additionally. One-time use only. Void where prohibited. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. No cash value, except as required by law. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. Offer valid in the U.S. only (excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law). You must have a Fandango at Home account to redeem your Code on Fandango at Home. Fandango at Home is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to open a Fandango at Home account. Credit card may be required for transactions on fandangoathome.com. 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 Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Get the Search for SquarePants Starter Set for a ticket for The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants and an exclusive LED Patrick Star popcorn bucket.
*Search for SquarePants Starter Set 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. Popcorn not included. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a bundle. The LED Patrick Star Popcorn Bucket will begin shipping in December. Please use a physical U.S. address where the popcorn bucket shipment can be delivered. Once carrier confirms delivery, Fandango is not responsible for lost or stolen deliveries. Valid only in the U.S. and D.C., excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law. Not valid with any other offer. See full terms and conditions at https://redeem.fandango.com/products/search-for-squarepants-starter-set
Get the "Pandango Pin Bundle" and receive a Zootopia 2 ticket and an exclusive mystery pin of Nick and Judy, Flash or Gary!
*Pandango Pin Bundle is non-refundable. While supplies last. Domestic shipping will be added at checkout. Movie ticket is non-refundable and non-exchangeable. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a bundle. The Official Disney Exclusive Collectible Pin will begin shipping in the month of November. Please use a physical U.S. address where the item can be delivered. Once carrier confirms delivery, Fandango is not responsible for lost or stolen deliveries. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. See https://redeem.fandango.com/products/pandango-pin-bundle for full terms and conditions.
Take one last trip to Oz with the For Good Collector’s Pack, featuring a Movie Ticket and a Limited-Edition Costume Sketch Poster by Paul Tazewell.exclusive sketch of Academy Award-winning designer Paul Tazewell’s original costume design!
*For Good Collector’s Pack is non-refundable. While supplies last. Domestic shipping will be added at checkout. 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 Poster Print will begin shipping in the month of November. Please use a physical address where the item 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/for-good-collectors-pack . Universal Pictures Marketing and its affiliates are not sponsors of this bundle.
Love classic films? Love someone who loves classic films? Check out Turner Classic Movies Film Festival exclusive holiday gifting items through Fandango FanStore.
Buy a ticket to Wicked: For Good, get Wicked for $9 on Fandango at Home!
Limited time offer. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app and purchase, between 5am PT on 10/8/25 and 11:59pm PT on 12/7/25, at least one movie ticket to ‘Wicked: For Good’. Purchaser will receive a post-purchase email containing 1 Fandango at Home Promotional Code (“Code”) that is good for the purchase (and not the rental) of ‘Wicked’ for $9 in My Offers in your account on http://athome.fandango.com and via participating Fandango at Home apps. 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. Code expires on (and must be used by) 12/10/25 at 11:59pm PT. Limit one per transaction. You may have to pay taxes additionally. One-time use only. Void where prohibited. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. No cash value, except as required by law. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. Offer valid in the U.S. only (excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law). You must have a Fandango at Home account to redeem your Code on Fandango at Home. Fandango at Home is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to open a Fandango at Home account. Credit card may be required for transactions on fandangoathome.com. 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 Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Buy a ticket between 11/20-11/29 to opening weekend (12/4-12/7) for Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair and be the first to receive a Gogo Yubari Fortnite outfit!
"Movie ticket is non-refundable. Fortnite outfit will be provided on 11/30/25. Limited time offer. While supplies last. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app between 12:00am ET on 11/20/25 and 11:59pm PT on 11/29/25 and purchase at least one movie ticket to ‘Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair’ for an opening weekend showtime (showtimes between 12/4/25 and 12/7/25). On 11/30/25, purchaser will receive a post purchase email containing one (1) Fortnite Promotional Code (“Code”) that is good for one (1) Gogo Yubari Fortnite outfit. Code expires, and must be redeemed at https://www.fortnite.com/redeem by, 4:00pm PT on 12/31/25. Code is one time use only. Limit one Code per Fandango account and Fortnite account. 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. An Epic Games account is required to play Fortnite and redeem a Code. 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 http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies. Redemption of the Code is subject to Epic Games’ Terms of Service, at https://legal.epicgames.com/en-US/epicgames/tos.
Buy tickets to see the film three times in IMAX, get a limited-edition Avatar: Fire and Ash print
Limited time offer. While supplies last. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app between 6:00am PT on 11/17/25 and 11:59pm PT on 1/23/26 and purchase at least three (3) IMAX tickets to three (3) different IMAX showtimes of ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ (purchases must be made in separate transactions). Purchaser will receive an email on 1/25/26 containing one (1) Promotional Code (“Code”) that is redeemable for one Avatar: Fire and Ash limited-edition IMAX print, while supplies last. Limited-edition print will ship in February. There is a limited quantity of Codes available in this promotion. Codes will stop being distributed on the earlier of (i) the Code distribution limit being reached, (ii) Avatar: Fire and Ash no longer being in theaters, or (iii) 11:59pm PT on 1/26/26. There is a limited quantity of Code redemptions available in this promotion. Code expires, and can no longer be used, when the limit of Code redemptions has been reached, or at 11:59pm PT on 2/1/26, whichever comes first. Limit one Code per transaction. You may have to pay taxes additionally. One-time use only. Void where prohibited. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. No cash value, except as required by law. Non-transferable. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. Offer valid in the U.S. only. 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 Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy at Terms and Policies at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Embark on a final journey to Pandora with the Collector’s Print Bundle, featuring one Movie Ticket and a Limited-Edition Print!
*Collector’s Print Bundle is non-refundable. Domestic shipping will be added at checkout. Limited time offer. While supplies last. Movie tickets are 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 Collectible Mini Print will begin shipping in December. Please use a physical U.S. address where the poster 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/collectors-print-bundle.
Let the games begins. Don’t miss all your favorite Superstars at WWE Survivor Series: WarGames!
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