The Definitive Ranking Of Adam Sandler’s Netflix Originals

Oh, Adam Sandler. In the 1990s, he was the likeable weirdo on Saturday Night Live, known for the clever “Hanukkah Song” and hilarious characters like Opera Man. But if you ask people now what Sandler represents, you’ll probably be met with an eye-roll and an insulting laugh. He has turned out some great performances in dramatic films such as Funny People (2009), The Meyerowitz Stories (2017), and possibly the upcoming Uncut Gems, set to screen at TIFF in September. But those performances have been buried by films such as Grown Ups (2010), Pixels (2015), and any movie Sandler has produced for Netflix.

Last summer, myself and a friend of mine often found ourselves bored. This boredom resulted in us watching every Sandler movie released through Netflix. Netflix’s deal with Sandler’s production company, Happy Madison Productions, has given the world quite a few…gems. Here’s my definitive ranking.*

*This list does not include the Netflix film The Meyerowitz Stories as it was not released through Happy Madison Productions.

5. The Ridiculous Six (2015)

The first of the Sandler Netflix series, The Ridiculous Six follows a group of six men who find out they all share the same father, a bank robber played by Nick Nolte. A parody of the Western genre, this movie was plagued by controversy before it even premiered when it was reported that many Native American actors left the set due to the way Apache culture was represented. Turns out, they were right.

The movie itself does not lend itself to “so bad it’s good,” especially with the two hour run time. The jokes are juvenile at best, and the plot drags along. The continued introduction of cowboy gang after cowboy gang makes this simple comedy extremely confusing. There were some moments that were so bizarre (like Vanilla Ice showing up as Mark Twain) that I couldn’t help laughing at, but I’m not sure if it was in a good way. It’s definitely ridiculous, but definitely not worth your time.

4. The Week Of (2018)

The Week Of reunites Sandler with frequent collaborator and friend Chris Rock as they prepare for the marriage of Sandler’s daughter and Rock’s son. It might be unfair to put some of these other movies over The Week Of, as it isn’t quite as stupid. But in a way, that’s the problem. Clearly, the idea for the plot only got them so far, because close to nothing happens in this film. It’s painstakingly slow and the only real jokes are that Sandler keeps letting more and more relatives stay at his house. That, and the constant struggle of his uncle being a double amputee (yikes).

Sandler’s character is well-meaning and just wants the best for his daughter, while Rock is a successful doctor from L.A. who often seems like he doesn’t care about the wedding at all. The juxtaposition of the characters seems like something that Steve Martin and Richard Pryor could have slayed in the 1980s, but in today’s world just feels stale. However, it does have the saving grace of Rachel Dratch, who can do very little wrong. While most of Sandler’s recent movies have an air of contractual obligation, this one embodies that. I’d skip it.

3. The Do-Over (2016)

The Do-Over stars Sandler with another SNL pal, David Spade, as former high school buddies who meet up again at a high school reunion. When Sandler’s character discovers that Spade’s life is horribly depressing, he fakes their deaths so they can have a do-over at life. Sandler’s character is uber-relaxed, probably because in real life he wasn’t trying at all. Spade is playing against his usual cynical, snarky type, which was a disappointment, because he can usually improv at least a couple good one liners. This movie was clearly an excuse for Sandler to take his friend on a trip to Puerto Rico without paying a dime.

Ok, The Do-Over is genuinely horrible. The first time I tried to watch it I couldn’t even get halfway through. But there’s something about watching it with friends and laughing at its stupidity that I think makes it somewhat entertaining. The twists and turns that the movie takes are mindlessly shocking that it’s almost worth the hour and 48 minute run time.

2. Sandy Wexler (2017)

Sandy Wexler is the closest Adam Sandler will get to Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. He plays the title character, a talent agent of eccentric performers in the 1990s who is struggling to keep up with the times. He then meets a talented singer (Jennifer Hudson) who he ends up falling for. The movie is interspersed with cutaways of real people (at a yet to be revealed event) talking about working with Sandy. Everyone from David Spade and Dana Carvey to Henry Winkler and Jewel show up.

The movie itself is very long and sometimes too slow, but there’s also more heart than in the others. It genuinely feels like Sandler is paying tribute to the time in which he became famous. His character has a weird accent, a cross between Happy Gilmore and Al Pacino, that could have been annoying. But unlike his other characters, Sandy is a sweet person who you do end up rooting for, even if it seems unlikely he would somehow end up with Hudson. It’s a long movie, but if you put it on I don’t think you’d regret it that much.

1. Murder Mystery (2019)

Coming in at number one is the latest in the Sandler Netflix Cinematic Universe, Murder Mystery. The film centers on Nick and Audrey Spitz, a married couple played by Sandler and Jennifer Aniston who are struggling to keep the fire alive in their relationship. They take a European vacation and inadvertently stumble into major family drama and of course, murder. The film is basically a Clue-style whodunnit, with a host of wacky characters. Because the Spitz’s are the outsiders, they quickly become the prime suspects.

The most irritating thing about this movie is the title itself. It’s like calling Rocky “Sports Drama” or calling Singin’ In The Rain “Romance Musical.” The lack of effort here isn’t shocking, but what is shocking is that the film is actually pretty fun. By no means is it on the level of Clue, but who doesn’t love a lighthearted mystery? I was surprised to find myself stumped when it came to the murder itself, and I was actually very engaged as our main characters struggled to clear their names.

Sandler is fine in the movie, playing another pretty lame guy who doesn’t try very hard in any aspect of his life. But Aniston is definitely the hero of the film. Her charm is so infectious it made me wish she was in all of Sandler’s films so she could’ve made them better. I would actually recommend this if you’re looking for something fun to watch.

Conclusion

Well there you have it folks, all of Adam Sandler’s Netflix movies ranked. If you really are bored, throw one of these on with a group of friends and laugh at it. But if you’re genuinely looking for a good Adam Sandler comedy, check out Happy Gilmore (1996), The Wedding Singer (1998) or 5o First Dates (2004).

Every so often we get a really good performance from Sandler, a la Punch Drunk Love, and hopefully Uncut Gems will be this year’s.

What’s your favorite Adam Sandler movie? Let us know in the comments!