Netflix’s Hustle is a brand new release, featuring one more memorable leading performance from Adam Sandler. One of the most preeminent figures in the film industry and the comedy niche overall, Sandler more than once proved himself to be a very versatile actor, capable of delivering outstanding performances in both heavy-drama roles and comedy movies.
Sandler’s success puts him in the spotlight of any movie he’s in, and also, he just seems to be a great guy to hang out with. Now, more than ever, he’s become a box of surprises, with performances that exceed expectations such as Uncut Gems, The Meyerowitz Stories, and now Hustle, without giving up on his comic side and they make for some of his best films.
50 First Dates (2004) - 3.2
Stream On Hulu
2004’s 50 First Dates could be considered Sandler’s most rewatchable romcom, which fits well with the movie’s plot. He plays Henry Roth, a man afraid of commitment until he meets the beautiful Lucy. They get along well and Henry is convinced he found the right one, but he eventually finds out she has short-term memory loss and forgets him every day.
50 First Dates is charmingly funny and while it’s a movie that stands out because of the peculiar relationship of the characters, it is led by two enchanting performances from Sandler and the beloved Drew Barrymore. Their chemistry has always been great.
Dirty Work (1998) - 3.2
Stream On Kanopy, The Roku Channel, & Tubi
Dirty Work is a hidden gem in Adam Sandler’s filmography, being one of his most underseen comedies but also one of the funniest. While Sandler is far from being a central character in this movie, he is put in the spotlight when he finally shows up, playing a hilarious version of Satan.
Apart from that, the actors who play the two protagonists deliver incredibly funny performances. In the movie, unemployed and recently dumped Mitch and Sam start a revenge-for-hire to raise the $50.000 that Sam’s father needs to get a heart transplant.
Top Five (2014) - 3.3
Stream On Hoopla
Chris Rock and Adam Sandler are longtime friends and collaborators and of vital importance to the world of comedy. Top Five is considered Chris Rock’s best movie by Metacritic, and feels like quite a personal one, following a comedian trying to make it as a serious actor when his reality-TV star fiancé talks him into broadcasting their wedding on TV.
Highly centered on Chris Rock’s character, Adam Sandler makes a notable appearance playing himself in the subversive urban world of comedy portrayed in Top Five. While still a minor role, the importance of his presence in a project with such thematic pull is undeniable.
Happy Gilmore (1996) - 3.3
Stream On Netflix
Actually written by Adam Sandler himself, Happy Gilmore might be the movie that launched him as one of a kind in the film industry. While Sandler was famous for his SNL presence and previous works, Happy Gilmore marks a bump up in his acting career and writing potential.
In the movie, Adam Sandler plays Happy, a rejected hockey player that must put his skills to the golf course in order to save his grandmother’s house. Beyond being a light-hearted and hilarious story, Happy is such a memorable, likable character and is certainly one of Sandler’s most iconic roles.
Reign Over Me (2007) - 3.3
Adam Sandler in one of his first major dramatic roles delivers a heart-rending performance as Charlie, a man who lost everything important in his life after 9/11. The movie sets up a beautiful buddy drama as Charlie runs into an old college roommate, and rekindling this friendship might be the only thing that could help Charlie recover from his grief and move on.
Using one of the US’s most heartbreaking tragedies in history as background, Adam Sandler’s performance is what carries the movie. While Don Cheadle is also great, the story is all about Sandler’s character reconnecting with the personal world that he thought had fallen apart alongside the towers.
The Wedding Singer (1998) - 3.4
Stream On HBO Max
Once again counting leading performances from Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, The Wedding Singer is another iconic romcom with amazingly funny quotes. Sandler plays Robbie, a local rock star turned wedding singer, who is dumped on the day of his wedding. Parallel to that, Julia is a waitress setting her own wedding date with her fiancée Glenn. When Robbie and Julia meet by chance and hit it off, things escalate quickly into something hilariously complicated.
Quite like 50 First Dates, the movie stands out for the comedy but it also offers a tear-jerking romance, and the chemistry between Sandler and Barrymore is once again dazzling and convincing.
Hustle (2022) - 3.6
The latest addition to Sandler’s best films was out on Netflix this month, Hustle is a mix of drama, comedy, and love for sports. It follows an aging basketball scout who discovers a phenomenal street ball player while in Spain and sees the prospect as his final opportunity to get back into NBA.
Adam Sandler never hid his passion for basketball, and it’s clear how much fun he’s had playing the role of Stanley Sugerman alongside many NBA stars. While the movie is not based on a true story, it certainly feels like Sandler’s dream role.
The Meyerowitz Stories (2017) - 3.7
The Meyerowitz Stories offers just the right amount of comedy and drama, reuniting an outstanding ensemble cast in its best shape. The movie portrays an estranged family gathering in New York for an event celebrating the artistic work of their father. Sandler is a central character and stands out among notable stars such as Dustin Hoffman and Ben Stiller.
The movie counts with many reoccurring jokes and a peculiar, funny relationship between the big array of characters, each one with enough screen time to develop their arcs and offer a hilariously conflicting depiction of family.
Uncut Gems (2019) - 3.9
Rent On Apple TV
Uncut Gems was an event when it came out, as audiences were left in awe at Sandler’s groundbreaking performance. He fits almost naturally in the chaotic role of Howard Ratner, an easy-going jeweler that gets himself in a snowballing situation as his debts mounts and angry collectors close in on him.
One of the most anxiety-inducing films of the last few years, the film is an energetic urban tale and works simply because Sandler is fantastic in the role. Fans can barely hold the excitement now that Adam Sandler confirmed a new movie with the directors of Uncut Gems coming soon.
Punch-Drunk Love (2002) - 4.0
Stream On Hoopla & Freevee
Punch-Drunk Love is the movie that showed the world Sandler isn’t limited to one genre. While this PTA film has some hilarious moments, it’s much more grounded on romance, with charming hints of drama, following a socially awkward small business owner who meets the love of his life after being threatened by a gang of scammers.
Sandler’s character in this film is one of the most endearing weirdos of the 2000s, and it helps how fairly comfortable Punch-Drunk Love is with its own absurdities.
