Big Daddy

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2:21

Big Daddy

PG-13

Released Jun 25, 1999

1h 33m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

39%

Tomatometer

94 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Thirty-two-year-old Sonny Koufax (Adam Sandler) has spent his whole life avoiding responsibility. But when his girlfriend dumps him for an older man, he's got to find a way to prove he's ready to grow up. In a desperate last-ditch effort, Sonny adopts 5-year-old Julian (Dylan Sprouse), (Cole Sprouse) to impress her. She's not impressed ... and he can't return the kid. Uh-oh for Sonny!

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Critics Consensus

Adam Sandler acquits himself admirably, but his charm isn't enough to make up for Big Daddy's jarring shifts between crude humor and mawkish sentimentality.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Amiable, schizoid and disposable, Big Daddy is just as formulaic as you might imagine.

Mar 2, 2018

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Typical Adam Sandler -- charm mixed with crude humor.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 22, 2010

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Lisa Alspector

Chicago Reader

This light yet earnest drama starring Adam Sandler deals openly with one of the most insidious elements in popular filmmaking -- the male screenwriter's relationship with his own father.

Jun 2, 2008

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Alan French

Sunshine State Cineplex

Though it is not as side-splittingly funny as Waterboy or Happy Gilmore, it still carries universal themes that resonate today.

Rated: 7/10

Jan 12, 2023

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Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

Some so-so Adam Sandler for the evening.

Rated: 2.5/5

Apr 17, 2020

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Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

The heavy-handed sentimentality provokes a most violent gag reflex.

Rated: 2/4

Nov 29, 2009

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Amiyah W

i personaly think this movie displayed great charactor change i loved it

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/09/25

Full Review

Alexander S

In my opinion, Big Daddy stands out as Adam Sandler’s most notable role since Happy Gilmore as the premise of the film seamlessly aligns with Sandler’s comedic style and his chemistry with the young Dylan and Cole Sprouse brought a positive connection and an evident dynamic throughout the film, contributing to its overall success. Grading: B

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/09/25

Full Review

Alex H.

My favorite movie of all time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/08/25

Full Review

Samuel C

This movie is my safe space. I could watch it over and over with the same people (or different) and still get the same amount of laughs each time. This movie is my favorite movie (besides Hubie Halloween) that has the honor to have Adam Sandler in it. If this immaculate piece of art gets ripped from the clutches of Netflix I will personally take myself up to the Netflix headquarters and show whoever owns Netflix what’s for!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/11/25

Full Review

Dominic C

The main things that work in this movie are the relationships between Sonny and Julian, and the humor, especially the first half is hilarious

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/07/25

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John R

In my opinion he was a better dad than the actual dad

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/17/25

Full Review

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Dennis Dugan

Director

Adam Sandler

Sonny Koufax

Joey Lauren Adams

Layla Maloney

Jon Stewart

Kevin Gerrity

Dylan Sprouse

Julian "Frankenstien" McGrath

Cole Sprouse

Julian "Frankenstien" McGrath

Big Daddy: Official Clip - Scuba Sam

2:14

Big Daddy: Official Clip - Picking-Up Girls in the Park

1:40

Big Daddy: Official Clip - Old Man Sid

2:06

Big Daddy: Official Clip - You're Not Proposing Are You?

0:59

Big Daddy: Official Clip - Ready to Be a Father

2:00

Big Daddy: Official Clip - New School of Child Raising

1:23

Big Daddy: Official Clip - Saying Goodbye

1:48

Big Daddy: Official Clip - To Pee or Not To Pee

1:12

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Big Daddy: Big Daddy's Best Scenes

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Big Daddy: Trailer 1

2:21

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Synopsis

Thirty-two-year-old Sonny Koufax (Adam Sandler) has spent his whole life avoiding responsibility. But when his girlfriend dumps him for an older man, he's got to find a way to prove he's ready to grow up. In a desperate last-ditch effort, Sonny adopts 5-year-old Julian (Dylan Sprouse), (Cole Sprouse) to impress her. She's not impressed ... and he can't return the kid. Uh-oh for Sonny!

Director: Dennis Dugan
Producer: Sidney Ganis, Jack Giarraputo
Screenwriter: Steve Franks, Steve Franks, Tim Herlihy, Adam Sandler
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Jack Giarraputo Productions, Out of the Blue... Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Some Crude Humor|Language)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 25, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $163.5M
Runtime: 1h 33m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Stereo, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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