Every Adam Sandler Movie Ranked By How Punchable Adam Sandler Is
It's the only scale that's accurate.
Adam Sandler movies could, hypothetically, be ranked on their individual merits or, say, how frequently they inspire gut-busting laughter. But Adam Sandler movies always seem to have another layer to them that seems like the perfect value by which to judge them: How much they make you want to punch Adam Sandler in the face.
It's a persistent, nagging feeling throughout many of his films, even the ones that are supposed to make you root for him. (Which is, like, 98 percent of them, by the way.)
For the sake of my own sanity - and regard for the relative fleetingness of life - I'm only going to focus on movies that feature Sandler front and center. If he's a secondary character, as he was in the supremely underrated Airheads, I'm not going to waste valuable minutes on it. Also... no animated features, because it's remarkably hard to punch sprites.
Coincidentally, this method of ranking also brings down the overall average of his filmography's tolerability because, as nobody should be surprised, Adam Sandler is much funnier in small doses. And he just has a very punchable quality to him.
30. Reign Over Me
Sandler's "other" critical favorite, Reign Over Me suffers from a whiplash-inducing blend of over-the-top shenanigans and Beaches-level histrionics. It's hard to tell what kind of movie this wants to be. But hey, at least we get to watch Adam Sandler do his best Bob Dylan impersonation.
Because despite the "everything but the kitchen sink" approach to creating drama - woeful therapy sessions, intense courtroom confrontations, a 9/11-related plot - Sandler's mumbly, scooter-riding loner is the one unwavering positive.
He's more accessible and more sympathetic than any character he's played before or since. And even when things get a little melodramatic, Sandler doesn't seem to get too carried away.
Punch Level: Surprisingly non-existent.