Adam Sandler is known as a comedy legend. If you're in the mood for a good laugh, you can’t go wrong with any of his films. But did you know he’s also delivered some powerful performances in dramas? We’ve rounded up seven films where one of America’s favorite comedians reveals his incredible range as a dramatic actor. Here are Adam Sandler’s top 7 must-watch dramas.
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Uncut Gems
IMDb: 7.4/10
2019, Crime, Drama, Thriller
USA, R
Director: Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie
Top cast: Adam Sandler, Julia Fox, Idina Menzel
In Uncut Gems, Sandler plays Howard, a jeweler from New York's Diamond District who is drowning in debt, pawning his possessions, and forced to constantly hustle just to survive. But everything he does brings him one step closer to disaster. Sandler's role in Uncut Gems marked a career renaissance and a restoration of his reputation. Both critics and audiences were impressed by his performance, and the Safdie brothers are already preparing a new project with him. The film is shot in a unique way, keeping you on edge from the very first scene to the last. The world around doesn’t just boil, it bubbles over — money and expensive items move from pawnshops to pockets and back again at an incredible speed.
Reign Over Me
IMDb: 7.4/10
2007, Drama
USA, R
Director: Mike Binder
Top cast: Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Jada Pinkett Smith
Charlie Fineman and Alan Johnson were once college roommates. Life, however, took them down very different paths. After losing his wife and children in the 9/11 attacks, Charlie gave up on life, while Alan became a successful dentist and a devoted family man. A chance encounter between them becomes a pivotal moment, as both men find themselves in need of a true friend. In Reign Over Me, Sandler delivers another powerful performance, sharing deep emotional pain. The result is a touching drama about male friendship and finding hope in the darkest of times.
Hustle
IMDb: 7.3/10
2022, Comedy, Drama, Sport
USA, R
Director: Jeremiah Zagar
Top cast: Adam Sandler, Queen Latifah, Juancho Hernangomez
Hustle tells the story of Stanley Zuckerman, a scout for the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers. He spends most of his time on the road, searching for new talent for the team and the NBA Draft. During one of his trips, he discovers a hidden gem in Bo Cruz, a young man working construction in a small Spanish town, but with the talent of a basketball superstar. Unfortunately, the team’s young executive refuses Stanley’s request to sign the player for the draft, so Stanley decides to personally fund Bo's preparation for the Draft Pick. Hustle is a gem that blends sports, the spirit of competition, personal triumph, humor, and drama, all in a way that’s hard not to believe and live through with the characters.
Happy Gilmore
IMDb: 7.0/10
1996, Comedy, Sport
USA, PG-13
Director: Dennis Dugan
Top cast: Adam Sandler, Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen
Gilmore had loved hockey since he was a kid, but aside from his powerful slap shot, he didn’t have much talent for the game. By chance, Gilmore picked up a golf club, and his swing turned out to be the most powerful in the history of the sport, which he despised. But dislike alone wouldn't get him far, and the prize money in golf was hard to ignore. A wonderful story about a hot-tempered but good-hearted guy who dreamed of playing hockey since childhood, but life kept reminding him that his true calling was another sport.
Blended
IMDb: 6.5/10
2014, Comedy, Romance
USA, PG-13
Director: Frank Coraci
Top cast: Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Wendi McLendon-Covey
After a blind date ended in total failure, Lauren and Jim quickly realised that their personalities were so different that it was simply impossible to continue their relationship. They went their separate ways, never wanting to cross paths again. Thinking their encounter is over, both families seize the chance to take their kids on a perfect vacation. But they end up in the same hotel suite at a luxurious South African resort for an entire week. Blended includes plenty of nods to another Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler collaboration, 50 First Dates. This time, Sandler appears in a heartwarming story about family values, understood not so much as the love between parents, but as the unconditional love for children.
Just Go With It
IMDb: 7.1/10
2011, Comedy, Drama
USA, PG-13
Director: Dennis Dugan
Top cast: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Brooklyn Decker
A plastic surgeon falls for a young teacher. To get out of an awkward situation he’s created, he asks his loyal assistant to pretend to be his wife, whom he claims he's about to divorce. One lie leads to another, and soon his colleague’s children are dragged into the story, and they all end up going on a weekend trip to Hawaii. is a remake of the 1969 comedy Cactus Flower, directed by Gene Saks and based on a Broadway play by Abe Burrows. Just Go With It (2011) is a light, carefree comedy that’s perfect for watching with friends, your significant other, or even on your own. In any case, it’s sure to leave you in a good mood with a hint of happiness.
Click
IMDb: 6.4/10
2006, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
USA, PG-13
Director: Frank Coraci
Top cast: Adam Sandler, Kate Beckinsale, Christopher Walken
A workaholic architect named Michael comes across a remote control that lets him fast-forward or pause life’s moments. But technology being what it is, there’s always a catch. After learning which moments Michael skips, the remote starts fast-forwarding through his life on its own. Sandler starts off in his typical, slightly goofy style, but in the second half of Click, he adds a deeper, more serious tone, delivering a heartfelt message reminiscent of Fast & Furious: family is everything.
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