Really, it’s a proverb at this point: Sandman does what only Sandman can do. Adam Sandler turns in an Oscar-worthy performance (we’ll never let this snub go) in 2019’s Uncut Gems, dazzling as the rambling, gambling jeweler Howard Ratner. A year later? Hubie Halloween—a toilet-humored rehashing of the crude-humored romps the comedian made his name on. But it works. And of course, off the screen, our man is slinging the basketball around like a god.
That’s the range Sandler will give you. You have The Meyerowitz Stories and Punch-Drunk Loves of his filmography, smashed right up against Grown Ups and Little Nicky. (Don’t forget: DEEDS!) It’s a trip to sort out. Now, with the release of a new Sandler Netflix joint, Spaceman, we opted for some law and order, taking the liberty of ranking all of Sandler’s films from worst to best.
51. The Ridiculous 6
Role: Tommy "White Knife" Stockburn
If you're a fan of westerns but wish they had more casual racism, then here's a movie for you. The rest of us will pass.
50. Jack and Jill
49. Zookeeper
Role: Donald the Capuchin Monkey
Zookeeper is effectively Night at the Museum, but with a zoo—and Adam Sandler is a monkey. You can safely skip this one.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
48. The Do-Over
Role: Max Kessler
Sandler needs a do-over on The Do-Over, because we'd love for the man to dip his toes back into the action-comedy genre.
47. Mixed Nuts
Role: Louie
How the hell is Sandler in the worst Steve Martin movie and the worst Nora Ephron movie?
46. Going Overboard
Role: Schecky Moskowitz
Sandman's first starring role in a movie! What happens when you're trapped on a cruise ship with Adam Sandler? You don't need an answer to that question—skip this one.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
44. Grown Ups 2
Role: Leonard "Lenny" Feder
Sometimes, Sandler just wants to take a long vacation with a few old comedy friends and get paid millions for it. Which is fine! This was one of those times.
43. The Animal
Role: Townie
Adam Sandlerite Rob Schneider fronts this pretty questionable movie in which he receives animal organ transplants after a car accident. He brought along his buddy Sandler for the ride, giving him a tiny (but credited!) cameo.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
42. Coneheads
Role: Carmine Weiner
Even though he just has a bit part in this SNL movie, you can't deny that "Carmine Weiner" is a very Adam Sandler Character Name.
41. Pixels
Role: Sam Brenner
Why make a movie about video game nostalgia but make all the beloved video game characters' bad guys? Also, Peter Dinklage's wig is a sin.
40. Blended
Role: Jim Friedman
This is 50 First Dates in Africa. (Yet not nearly as good as 50 First Dates.)
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
39. Bulletproof
Role: Archie Moses
There's actually a pretty great quote from director Ernest Dickerson about this movie: "There's a movie I did a couple years ago called Bulletproof. I'd like to just erase that whole experience."
38. The Cobbler
Role: Max Simkin
This is not, in fact, about the popular dessert, but rather about a shoe maker who magically transforms into people when he puts on their footwear. This allows Sandler to get into a number of problematic situations, including becoming one of his neighbors so he can creep on the man's attractive girlfriend.
37. Grown Ups
Role: Leonard "Lenny" Feder
Another evergreen reminder that, sometimes, Adam Sandler just wants to take a long vacation with a few old comedy friends and get paid millions for it. This was another one of those times.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
36. Bedtime Stories
Role: Skeeter Bronson
Sandler takes a swing at a family comedy, in a Happy Madison/Disney co-production. Despite bad reviews, the film went on to make a fortune. Click is a better Sandman family story.
35. The Week Of
Role: Kenny Lustig
If you've ever been in wedding, you know that the long week or planning before the ceremony is only worth it because there will be an open bar at the end of the whole thing. You can drink while you watch this one, but you'll have to pay for your own booze.
34. Just Go With It
Role: Dr. Daniel Leroy "Danny" Maccabee III
Another in the long line of rom-coms Sandler made (this time with Jennifer Aniston), but this one has the added bonus of... Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman? (Seriously.)
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
33. That's My Boy
Role: Donald "Donny" Berger
Sandler pairs with Andy Samberg for this mutli-generational comic mess. Sandler and Samberg have chemistry, no doubt, but the script doesn't measure up.
32. Spaceman
After Sandler's brilliant turn in Uncut Gems, just about everyone clamored for more dramatic work from the man. Careful what you wish for, people. While Sandler, Carey Mulligan, and Paul Dano deliver solid performances in Spaceman, the film is overly serious—lacking the heart that goes into a great Sandman performance.
