Big Daddy

PG-13

Released Jun 25, 1999

1 hr. 33 min.

Comedy

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List

39%

94 Reviews

Tomatometer

74%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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DennisFeinstein08

Scuba Steve rules! This is a must watch Sandler classic! 🤙

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/03/24

Full Review

Ciaran S

Big Daddy is just an lousy movie with cheap humor & weak writing but a very least, it's kinda harmless. However the weakest link i have with this film has to be the story, i can see that it's trying to have potential but the script feels overwhelmingly pointless, well are a few decent moments and it the heart is in the right place, again however there's no way this film would have been good but when you compare it to Adam Sandler's later films like The Waterboy, That's My Boy, Just Go With It, Pixels, Grown Ups & even Jack & Jill you could certainly do far worse.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/24/24

Full Review

Drew S

I love this movie and it is a classic and once again Adam Sandler da goat #justiceforbigdaddy

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/24/24

Full Review

Jeff

Iconic movie my friends of course showed me. Orange juice scene.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/26/24

Full Review

Sanad A

A Comedy That Tugs at Heartstrings but Leaves You Wanting More Satire I have to say, "Big Daddy" gets a solid 7/10 from me. Now, I know some diehard Adam Sandler fans might cringe at this film because it seems to be another step in the sentimentalization of the comic actor. But hey, let's not be overly sensitive worrywarts here! Sure, the film has raised some hackles for its seeming endorsement of permissive parenting, but let's be real, it's more soft-hearted than hard-edged. And honestly, that's probably the wisest direction for Sandler to go in right now. I mean, the guy just exudes genuine likability that fits perfectly with his Average Joe persona. Now, I have to admit, the film does have its moments of creative freshness, but it also succumbs to sentimentality and predictable emotional uplift. It's like they couldn't resist tugging at our heartstrings. I mean, come on, give us some satirical sharpness and bite! Sandler's deadpan portrayal of an immature adult trying to be a responsible father does bring some humor to the table, though. As the film progresses, Sandler's character grows to care for the kid, but of course, there are forces trying to take the child away. And that's when the movie veers into sappiness and maudlin tearjerking. It's a bit of a rollercoaster, really. You may find yourself moved at times, but also craving that edgier screenplay that could have taken this film to another level. Now, I have to give the movie some credit for its enlightened view of gays, even though Hollywood still hasn't quite figured out how to portray gay characters beyond twinkling at each other. But, on the other hand, it does lose some points for its rather nasty tone towards old people. Can't we all just get along?

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/09/23

Full Review

Austin O

I love this movie. As a dad I love rewatching this movie over and over again. Funny but also a tear jerker at times. Sandler gives a hilarious twist to fatherhood.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/29/23

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

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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: Trailer 1

2:21

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David Ansen

Newsweek

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

Mar 2, 2018

Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Typical Adam Sandler -- charm mixed with crude humor.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 22, 2010

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

Some so-so Adam Sandler for the evening.

Rated: 2.5/5

Apr 17, 2020

Full Review

Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

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

Rated: 2/4

Nov 29, 2009

Full Review

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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
Executive Producer: Joseph M. Caracciolo, Robert Simonds, Adam Sandler
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
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Stereo, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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