For more than twenty years,Adam Sandlerhas cemented his legacy as a notorious comedic figure. Known for his outlandish humor and oafish quips, the actor continues to entertain audiences to this day. However, the gifted actor has been known to dabble in the genre of drama, where some of his most memorable roles have placed him in Hollywood’s spotlight. Beginning his young career doing colorful skits forSaturday Night Live, Sandler eventually achieved massive success, with his movies combining to earn $2 billion. With blockbuster hits likeHappy GilmoreandThe Waterboy, Sandler culminated in a monumental fan base that appreciates his strong adoration for comedy.
Despite lackluster critical reception for a decent chunk of his illustrious career, the Sandman has consistentlydelivered unforgettable performancesin many movies. Specifically, those warm receptions came in roles where the actor took on a more serious approach. Impressed with his determination and success, Netflix agreed to a four-movie deal with Sandler for a staggering $250 million. Recently, both Sandler and Netflix agreed to create several more movies together. With that, many of Sandler’s movies, both Netflix exclusives and not, are available to stream on the popular platform.
Out of all of Adam Sandler’s best movies on Netflix, let’s see where each one ranks.
8Murder Mystery (2019)
Murder Mysteryis a refreshing body of work for Adam Sandler that counteracts his typical comedy approach, and it’s easily one of his best Netflix-produced films. Specifically, the enticing duo of Sandler and Aniston perfectly depicts an uncomfortable scenario that their characters are placed in.
The pair play a husband and wife who, on the way to a vibrant vacation in Europe, encounter an experience of high-society surprise twists that turns out to be more than they bargained for. While on a journey for their long-awaited trip, the couple cross paths with Charles Cavendish, a mysterious billionaire who invites them aboard his yacht.
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Murder Mystery’sengaging subplot of murder and mayhem manages to beautifully blend with its humorous twists. It’s clear that Sandler and Aniston are having an absolute blast, which always helps to establish a movie’s foundation. The inclusion of various movie elements to capture the audience makes it a watchable feature from Happy Madison.
7The Week Of (2018)
Much likeMurder Mystery,The Week Ofsees Adam Sandler once again branching out of his comfort zone to grasp a larger audience. The plot follows Kenny Lustig (Adam Sandler), and Kirby Cortice (Chris Rock), as two fathers preparing for the wedding of their children. While Sandler’s characterrepresents a middle-classsort of parental figure, Rock’s character comes from money. As the two strenuously attempt to out-perform the other, a healthy dose of actual funny moments makes this an underrated gem.
What makes this Netflix exclusive such a strong contender is the lovable pairing of Adam Sandler and Chris Rock, who also teamed up in movies likeGrown UpsandThe Longest Yard. Sandler’s memorable slapstick comedy against Rock’s satirical humor creates a refreshing balancing act between the two comedians.
6Adam Sandler: 100% Fresh (2018)
Considering the fact Adam Sandler began his eventfulcareer due to comedy skits and stand-upspecials, his100% Freshstand-up movie deserves its rightful spot in this impressive list. The film borrows a variety of shots from venues in which Sandler has performed, with a plethora of sizable audiences. Like a large portion of his movies, Sandler bleeds his undeniable charisma and amiable presence.
As several of his specials have done in the past, Sandler’s stand-up approach feels like a direct conversation with the captivated audience. Rather than directly spewing a string of jokes, Sandler provides a feel-good atmosphere that makes his audience feel more like buddies than ticket-buyers. Blending obvious one-liners with his familiar comedic perspective, the special includes a few tender moments as well, enough for adults of all ages to enjoy.
5The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) (2017)
Directed by the talented Noah Baumbach, the 2017 comedy-drama features a memorable ensemble cast. From Ben Stiller to Emma Thompson, each cast member individually shines in this underrated masterpiece of a film. In the movie, Sandler’s character is defeated and unemployed and is forced to move in with his father. In a realm of family dysfunction and character development, the movie’s organic plot makes for a satisfying form of media that was critically praised.
Arguably, Sandler delivers one of the finer performances of his eminent career as Danny Meyerowitz.The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)is a clear indication of Sandler’s overlooked talent as a dramatic actor. Often overshadowed by his comfortable comedic route, Naumbach places his smart script in the hands of Sandler, who sets out to establish the film’s credibility.
4Uncut Gems (2019)
If ever there was a movie to highlight Adam Sandler’s remarkable performance as a dramatic actor,Uncut Gemscertainly fits the mold. Directed by Josh and Benny Safdie, the critically acclaimed movie received a tremendous amount of Oscar nomination buzz for its masterful editing and gripping performances, especially by Sandler. The star-studded cast delivers an array of unforgettable twists and turns, all while managing to create one of the most surprising endings in cinematic history.
Sandler plays Howard Ratner, a fast-talking, manipulative jewelry store ownerwith a gambling addiction. At the climax of Howard’s troubles, he owes a considerable amount of money to loan shark Arno, who also happens to be his brother-in-law. When Howard secures a valuable opal stone, he plans on selling it and using his earnings to pay off his climbing debts. The film’s infuriating nature and anxiety-fueled plot are reasons whyUncut Gemsremains an obvious gem, why a large portion of critics consider it to be Sandler’s best role, and why it’s his absolute best on Netflix today.
3Hustle (2022)
Hustlefollows the journey of a basketball scout, Stanley Sugerman, played by Adam Sandler who discovers a highly skilled Basketball player, Bo Cruz (Juancho Hernangómezin) in Spain playing in a park outside of Madrid. Despite being previously fired, Stanley is excited about his new-found talent and decides to prepare Bo for the NBA so that they can both improve their current situations.
Related:How Hustle Sets the Stage for a Major NFL Movie
Just like his role inUncut Gems, Sandler manages to pull off the serious role effortlessly and his real-life passion for basketball shines through in the movie.Hustleis an open letter to basketball and hustle which is executed in a captivating way through its pacing and energy-filled direction. It has everything you could want in a movie when it comes to fighting against all odds for your dream.
2The Do-Over (2016)
The Do-Overis a comedy action film where Adam Sandler (Max) and David Spade (Charlie) play old buddies who reunite at their 25th high school reunion. However, they are bored with their lives and crave something out of the ordinary. The duo decides to fake their death and then fake new identities.
Yet, little did they know that the lives they assumed weren’t what they expected. The production was filmed in Puerto Rico and Georgia which make for some beautiful scenery. Sandler’scomedic signature is presentin this laid-back motion picture that you can watch when you need to relax and not take a plot too seriously.
1Hubie Halloween (2020)
Hubie Halloweentells the story of Hubie Dubois (Adam Sandler), a devoted man who loves his hometown of Salem, especially its Halloween celebration. Despite his good nature and loyalty to Salem, he is continuously mocked by its community. When a real murder case happens on Halloween night, Hubie finds himself in the middle of hilarious problems.
Hubie Halloweenis a comfort movie that has everything you could ask for from a Halloween-themed movie: bonfires, costume parties, carving pumpkins, and much more. It is definitely one to get you in the Halloween spirit.
