You know that feeling when you're scrolling through Netflix and you see that familiar, slightly mischievous face in an oversized hoodie? That’s the Adam Sandler effect. Whether he’s screaming about a golf ball or making you cry in a gritty New York drama, the guy is everywhere. If you've ever sat there wondering what films is adam sandler in, honestly, the list is way longer than most people realize. We aren't just talking about the 90s classics like Happy Gilmore. He’s basically built a whole cinematic universe at this point.
Sandler has moved from the "funny guy from SNL" to a massive mogul with a Netflix deal that seems to never end. It's kinda wild. One minute he's a man-child living with his parents, and the next he's an aging basketball scout in Hustle.
The Early Years: When the Legend Started
Back in the late 80s and early 90s, nobody knew Sandler would become a billionaire. His first real movie was Going Overboard in 1989. Honestly? It’s pretty rough. Don't go looking for it unless you're a completionist. But then came the run that changed everything.
- Billy Madison (1995): The one where he goes back to school. Classic.
- Happy Gilmore (1996): The hockey player turned golfer. "The price is wrong, bitch!"
- The Wedding Singer (1998): This showed he actually had a heart and could do romance.
- The Waterboy (1998): High-quality H2O.
- Big Daddy (1999): The movie that proved he could play a (somewhat) responsible adult.
Most people recognize these as the "Golden Era" of Sandler. They were loud, they were silly, and they were exactly what we needed.
The Serious Shift: Yes, He Can Actually Act
Here is the thing—Sandler is a phenomenal dramatic actor. It surprises people every single time. Usually, every five years or so, he’ll drop a movie that makes critics stop and go, "Oh, wait, he's actually incredible."
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His first big swing was Punch-Drunk Love in 2002. Director Paul Thomas Anderson saw something in Sandler’s "angry man" persona and turned it into something beautiful and heartbreaking. If you haven't seen it, Barry Egan is basically a Sandler character if he lived in the real world and had actual trauma.
Then you’ve got Reign Over Me (2007), where he plays a man who lost his family on 9/11. It's heavy. Really heavy.
But the real game-changer was Uncut Gems in 2019. If you want to feel like you're having a two-hour panic attack, that's the one. He played Howard Ratner, a diamond dealer with a gambling problem, and he was robbed of an Oscar nomination. Fact.
The Netflix Era and the Happy Madison Machine
Around 2015, Sandler signed a massive deal with Netflix. People laughed at first. Then they looked at the numbers. Everyone was watching.
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He started with The Ridiculous 6, which was... well, it was a movie. But then things got interesting. He started bringing his friends along for high-budget vacations disguised as films. Think Murder Mystery with Jennifer Aniston or Grown Ups (though those were theatrical, they fit the vibe).
In the last couple of years, we've seen:
- Hustle (2022): A genuine, gritty basketball drama.
- Leo (2023): An animated musical where he voices a lizard. It’s surprisingly sweet.
- Spaceman (2024): Sandler alone in a spaceship talking to a giant spider. It's weird, but in a cool way.
- Jay Kelly (2025): His recent collaboration with George Clooney and director Noah Baumbach.
What’s Happening Now? The 2026 Slate
As we sit here in 2026, the Sandler train isn't slowing down. We just saw the release of Happy Gilmore 2, which brought back the "Gold Jacket" energy we've been missing for thirty years. It actually pulled in decent reviews, mostly because the nostalgia was handled with some actual care.
There are also strong reports and production listings for Grown Ups 3. Word is they’re filming in Vancouver right now, with the plot involving the guys taking over their childhood summer camp. It's the ultimate "Sandler and friends" setup.
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We also have Don't Say Good Luck, a teen musical comedy-drama he’s producing (and appearing in) that features his daughter Sunny Sandler. He’s really leaning into the family business lately, which is sort of wholesome if you think about it.
The Full List: What Films Is Adam Sandler In?
If you're looking for a quick reference, here’s a messy, non-perfect list of the big ones you should know.
- The 90s Comedy Hits: Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, The Wedding Singer, The Waterboy, Big Daddy.
- The Rom-Coms: 50 First Dates, Just Go With It, Blended.
- The "Serious" Stuff: Punch-Drunk Love, Spanglish, Reign Over Me, Funny People, The Meyerowitz Stories, Uncut Gems, Hustle, Jay Kelly.
- The Animation: Hotel Transylvania 1, 2, and 3 (he didn't do the 4th), Eight Crazy Nights, Leo.
- The Netflix Originals: The Ridiculous 6, Sandy Wexler, The Do-Over, The Week Of, Murder Mystery 1 & 2, Hubie Halloween, Spaceman.
Why Does He Keep Making These?
There’s a lot of debate about Sandler's "quality control." Critics often bash his comedies, but the audience is always there. Honestly, he seems to have figured out the ultimate life hack: make movies with your best friends in beautiful locations and get paid millions for it.
But don't let the goofy shorts fool you. He’s a savvy businessman and a deeply talented performer. He knows exactly when to give us a Hubie Halloween and when to give us an Uncut Gems.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're looking to dive back into the Sandman's filmography, don't just stick to the stuff you saw as a kid.
- For a laugh: Watch The Wedding Singer. It holds up better than almost any other 90s rom-com.
- For a cry: Check out Hustle. It’s the best sports movie of the last decade, period.
- For a thrill: Put on Uncut Gems, but make sure your blood pressure is stable first.
- For the kids: Leo is genuinely funny and won't make you want to rip your ears off.
The best way to track what he's up to is to keep an eye on his Happy Madison production banner. Whether he's starring or just producing, the vibe is always consistent. He’s the guy who never forgot where he came from, even if where he came from involves a lot of shouting and the occasional penguin.