For years, the "Adam Sandler's daughter" thing was basically a running gag in Hollywood. You'd be watching a Happy Madison movie, some kid would pop up to buy a lemonade or ride a goat, and if you looked close enough at the credits, there it was: a Sandler. It felt like a cute family hobby.
Honestly, though? That narrative shifted big time recently.
We aren't just talking about cameos anymore. We’re talking about leading roles, critical acclaim, and a very real conversation about whether Sunny and Sadie Sandler are actually the next generation of comedy royalty—or just the latest "nepo babies" to hit the Netflix homepage.
But if you think they’re just coasting on their dad's $500 million net worth, you've probably missed the work they've been putting in lately.
The Breakout: Why 2023 Changed Everything
Most people didn't take the girls’ acting seriously until You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah. Before that, they were just the kids in the background of Grown Ups or Hubie Halloween.
Then Sunny Sandler took the lead as Stacy Friedman.
She wasn't just "Adam’s kid." She was legitimately funny. She carried the movie. Critics who usually sharpen their knives for Sandler’s slapstick comedies actually... liked it? Rotten Tomatoes currently has it at a 91%, which is frankly wild for a Happy Madison production. Sadie Sandler played her older sister, Ronnie, and the chemistry worked because, well, they’ve lived together their entire lives.
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It’s a Family Business (Literally)
Adam and Jackie Sandler have built a production empire that operates more like a mom-and-pop shop than a corporate studio. It’s not just the daughters. Jackie is in almost everything. Adam’s friends like Kevin James and David Spade are always around.
The girls aren't just handed scripts; they’re growing up on active sets.
- Sadie Madison Sandler (Born 2006): Now 19, Sadie has over 20 credits to her name. She’s moving into more "grown-up" roles, like her recent turn in Happy Gilmore 2 (2025) and the upcoming Roommates project.
- Sunny Madeline Sandler (Born 2008): At 17, Sunny is the one currently making the biggest waves as a leading lady. She’s also a singer—she famously sang "A Million Dreams" at one of her dad's comedy shows when she was only ten.
The Paychecks: It’s More Than an Allowance
Let’s be real for a second. Being Adam Sandler's daughter comes with a massive financial head start.
Back in 2022, court documents leaked via TMZ showed that the girls were making roughly $65,000 each for the Bat Mitzvah movie. That wasn't just a lump sum; it included first-class travel, $60 daily per diems, and their own trailers.
If Netflix greenlights a sequel, those contracts reportedly jump to $162,500.
Compare that to the average teenager working a summer job at a pool. It’s a different universe. But in the context of a $100 million Netflix deal, it’s actually a drop in the bucket. Adam himself reportedly pulled in over $70 million in 2023 alone.
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Dealing With the "Nepo Baby" Label
You can't talk about Sadie and Sunny without talking about nepotism. It's the elephant in the room.
The internet is obsessed with "nepo babies" right now. People love to hate on actors who didn't "earn" it. But there’s a nuance here that most people miss. Adam Sandler isn't just getting them jobs at other studios; he’s hiring them for his own company.
Is it nepotism? Obviously.
Is it any different than a plumber teaching his kids the trade? Maybe, because the stakes (and the salaries) are higher.
Interestingly, the girls seem to know they’re lucky. Adam has joked in interviews about how they tell him they want to be in movies, and he points out they’ve already been in ten. Their response? "Not yours, Dad. Real ones."
They want to branch out. Sadie, for instance, is starting to work on projects like Roommates (2026), directed by Chandler Levack. This moves her away from the "Dad-directed" bubble and into the indie-comedy sphere.
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What’s Next for the Sandler Sisters?
If you’re looking to see what they’re doing right now, here is the current slate for 2026 and beyond:
- Happy Gilmore 2 (2025): Both girls appeared in this Netflix sequel. Sunny played Vienna Gilmore, a character focused on ballet, while Sadie took a more "undercover" comedic role.
- Roommates (Upcoming): Sadie is set to star alongside Natasha Lyonne and Nick Kroll. This is a massive test for her to see if she can hold her own with SNL legends without her dad in the frame.
- Voice Work: They both remain active in the Hotel Transylvania universe and recently did voices for the animated hit Leo.
Why They Might Actually Last
Most "celebrity kids" fizzle out by 21. They get a few roles, realize acting is actually hard work, and go into "creative consulting" or influencer marketing.
The Sandler girls feel different.
They’ve been working since they were toddlers. They understand the grind of a film set. More importantly, they seem to have inherited Adam’s "just be a nice person" reputation. You don’t hear horror stories about them on set. They’re professional. They’re prepared.
If you want to track their progress, keep an eye on the credits of non-Happy Madison films. That’s where the real story will be told. If they can land roles when "Dad" isn't the producer, they’ve officially made it.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Critics
- Watch the Indies: If you want to see if Sadie actually has the "it" factor, watch her in the upcoming Roommates. It’s her first major test outside the family umbrella.
- Check out Leo: To see their range, listen to their voice work in Leo. It's a different skill set than live-action acting.
- Ignore the Hype: Don't get caught up in the "net worth" TikToks. Focus on the timing and the delivery; comedy is a meritocracy in the long run. If you aren't funny, people won't watch, regardless of who your dad is.
The Sandler legacy is in good hands, but the transition from "Adam's kids" to "The Sandler Sisters" is still very much a work in progress. It’s going to be a fascinating few years.