For decades, Adam Sandler has brought his comedic genius to the big screen, delighting audiences with his unique style of humor. Yet, when it comes to pleasing film critics, the “Saturday Night Live” alum has had a notoriously rocky road. His films have been panned by critics time and time again, prompting Sandler to take a step back and stop reading reviews altogether.
While his movies may not always receive glowing reviews from critics, they often find a devoted fan base who appreciate the actor’s comedic timing and relatable characters. Here are some of the movies with Adam Sandler that the critics hated, but audiences loved.
We searched through the Rotten Tomatoes archives and carefully selected the movies that Adam Sandler directed, wrote, or starred in, which were ruthlessly 10 Adam Sandler movies critics hate but audiences love by critics but adored by audiences.
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‘Mr. Deeds’ (2002)
Critics score: 22%
Audience score: 62%
Synopsis: Deeds (Adam Sandler) inherits a fortune from his late uncle and moves to New York City to run his uncle’s massive media corporation. While there, he is pursued by ambitious reporter Babe Bennett (Winona Ryder) who is looking for a scoop on the small-town hero’s sudden wealth.
The 2002 comedy ‘Mr. Deeds’ received a lukewarm reception from critics, who deemed it a forgettable and formulaic remake of the 1936 classic ‘Mr. Deeds Goes to Town’. Critics found the film’s humor to be lazy and uninspired, with many noting that Sandler was simply coasting on his established on-screen persona. However, audiences found much to enjoy in Sandler’s portrayal of small-town hero Longfellow Deeds.
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‘Click’ (2006)
Critics score: 32%
Audience score: 64%
Synopsis: The story follows a workaholic architect named Michael Newman (Sandler), who comes across a universal remote control that allows him to fast-forward, pause, and rewind his life. However, he soon realizes that his actions with the remote control have unintended consequences, leading him to reconsider what truly matters in life.
Despite receiving poor reviews from critics, “Click” (2006) was a hit with audiences thanks to its blend of humor and heart. The film, which explores the consequences of taking life for granted through a fantastical premise, may not have satisfied the highbrow expectations of some critics. However, viewers were charmed by its message about the importance of family and the value of cherishing life’s moments. Adam Sandler’s performance as a man who discovers a remote control that can manipulate time and reality, struck a chord with audiences who appreciated the film’s mix of humor and pathos.
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‘Bedtime Stories’ (2008)
Critics score: 25%
Audience score: 60%
Synopsis: Sandler plays Skeeter, a hotel handyman who unexpectedly becomes the storyteller of his niece and nephew’s bedtime tales. As he tells the stories, he realizes that they are coming to life in unexpected ways, affecting his own life in the process.
When it comes to Adam Sandler’s family-friendly comedy ‘Bedtime Stories’ (2008), critics and audiences couldn’t be further apart. The movie was heavily criticized by reviewers for its lack of originality and flat humor. However, it managed to charm its way into the hearts of audiences with its feel-good story and endearing performances.
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‘Blended’ (2014)
Critics score: 14%,
Audience score: 57%
Synopsis: Sandler stars as Jim, a widower who goes on a blind date with Lauren (Barrymore), a divorced mother of two. After a disastrous date, they vow never to see each other again, but fate has other plans when they both end up booking a family vacation at the same resort in Africa. As they navigate the challenges of blending their families and overcoming their own personal issues, Jim and Lauren begin to fall for each other.
While the film may not have won over all the critics, audiences were drawn to the genuine chemistry between Sandler and Barrymore in the 2014 romantic comedy, making it one of his best romantic comedies in recent years.
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‘Just Go with It’ (2011)
Critics score: 19%
Audience score: 65%
Synopsis: Sandler plays Danny, a plastic surgeon who uses a fake wedding ring to pick up women. When he meets the woman of his dreams (Brooklyn Decker) and she finds the ring, Danny enlists his assistant (Aniston) to pretend to be his ex-wife in order to cover up his lie. As the group travels to Hawaii for a family vacation, complications arise and Danny must navigate a series of hilarious mishaps to win over his dream girl.
“Predictable and lacking in originality,” is what the critics said of the 2011 rom-com starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston.However, the film became a box office success and has since become a fan favorite among audiences who appreciate its silly humor and charming performances.
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’50 First Dates’ (2004)
Critics score: 45%
Audience score: 79%
Synopsis: Sandler stars as Henry Roth, a womanizing veterinarian who falls in love with Lucy Whitmore (Barrymore), a woman with short-term memory loss who forgets everything that happened the previous day. Henry must find a way to make Lucy fall in love with him every single day.
While critics unanimously panned the 2004 romantic comedy starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore as cheesy, the people, on the other hand, embraced its heartwarming story and memorable characters, with many considering it to be one of Sandler’s best romantic comedies.
’50 First Dates’ may not have won over all the critics, but it remains a beloved and entertaining film that has stood the test of time.
Image Credit: IMDb.
‘Billy Madison’ (1995)
Critics score: 46%
Audience score: 85%
Synopsis: Sandler stars as Billy Madison, the lazy and immature son of a wealthy hotel tycoon who must go back to school in order to prove himself as a responsible heir to his father’s company.
Critics found the film to be juvenile and crude, but praised Sandler’s performance as the lovable and silly Billy. Audiences, on the other hand, embraced the film’s absurd humor and memorable characters, with many considering it to be one of the funniest comedies of the 1990s.
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‘The Waterboy’ (1998)
Critics score: 35%
Audience score: 71%
Synopsis: Sandler stars as Bobby Boucher, a waterboy for a college football team who is often mistreated by the players and coaches. When he is fired from his job, Bobby decides to join a rival team and becomes a star player, much to the surprise of everyone around him.
The sports comedy starring Adam Sandler, received mixed reviews from critics upon its release. Despite this, the film became a box office success and has since become a cult classic among audiences who appreciate its silly humor and endearing protagonist.
Critics found the film to be formulaic and lacking in substance. Audiences, on the other hand, embraced the film’s humor and heart, with many citing it as one of Sandler’s best movies.
Image Credit: IMDb.
‘Grown Ups’ (2010)
Critics score: 10%
Audience score: 62%
Synopsis: The plot follows a group of middle-aged friends who reunite after years apart to attend the funeral of their former basketball coach. The friends decide to spend the weekend together with their families, which leads to a series of misadventures and bonding experiences.
‘Grown Ups’ (2010), the star-studded comedy featuring Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, and Rob Schneider, was panned by critics upon its release. Despite this, the film was a commercial success, grossing over $270 million worldwide.
While critics were largely unimpressed by ‘Grown Ups’, audiences embraced the film and it has since become a popular choice for comedy fans.
This article was produced and syndicated by MediaFeed.
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