Billy Madison

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Billy Madison

PG-13

Released Feb 10, 1995

1h 29m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

41%

Tomatometer

49 Reviews

79%

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250,000+ Ratings

Man-child Billy Madison has been a spoiled rich kid all his life, and spends his days drinking and partying. When his father, hotel magnate Brian, becomes fed up with his son's irresponsible ways, he issues an ultimatum. Since Billy passed all his schooling thanks to his father's influence and bribes, he must retake and pass every grade in 24 weeks. Otherwise, the business will be turned over to Brian's conniving associate, Eric.

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Critics Consensus

Audiences who enjoy Adam Sandler's belligerent comic energy may find him in joyously obnoxious form as Billy Madison, but this thinly-plotted starring vehicle surrounds its star with an aggressively pedestrian movie.

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Janet Maslin

New York Times

If you've ever had a yen to relive the third grade, this must be the next best thing.

Mar 31, 2019

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John Petrakis

Chicago Tribune

Billy Madison is a textbook example of a half-decent idea that never got developed beyond the "lying around drinking beer and making jokes with your buddy" stage.

Rated: 0.5/4

Mar 31, 2019

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

The latest entry in the American cinema's investigation of dumb-and-dumber heroes.

Rated: 1/4

Mar 31, 2019

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Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

The Adam Sandler milieu of male mistakes and fixation on frustration was perhaps never more concentrated than it was in his first film — which commits as deeply to its sincerity as it does to its rampant silliness.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 25, 2025

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Viewed as an absurdist comedy by many, Billy Madison is nonetheless the product of a director who specializes in cautionary tales about the temptations of sin putting one's soul in jeopardy.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 3, 2022

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Mal Vincent

The Virginian-Pilot

Sandler, who shows every sign of having enough energy to make the grade, should forget about imitating Jim Carrey and find an act of his own.

Rated: 1/4

Mar 1, 2022

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Alexander S

Billy Madison undoubtedly showcases one of Adam Sandler’s most memorable and hilarious roles. However, I don’t believe this film stands out as much for humor as Happy Gilmore, if we compare his best early works. Grading: C+

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/09/25

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Jackson E.

I love Adam Sandler. But I feel like he doesn’t do the best in this film. It’s a bit too much and has some jokes a lot might not understand. Sorry, Adam. There were a few times that made me laugh a lot and for those I give this two stars. Not one or half.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/04/25

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Stephen C

Funny in 1 hour and 29 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG-13 for Language and Crude Humor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $25,600,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/02/25

Full Review

Ryland C

Maybe annoying on paper, but in actuality, this movie actually has a very creative premise. A disabled man must re-do school in order to prove to himself that he can take over his father’s company is actually a really clever idea.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/15/25

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Emma F

Adam Sandler’s Billy Madison is a hilarious and over-the-top performance, but the movie is a bit predictable.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/07/25

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thiago s

Filme mais ou menos o roteiro é fraco, adam Sandler tenta ser um protagonista bom, mas não consegue muito, e nem o elenco ajuda e nem as cenas que também não são boas no filme, a história é fraca, só pouquíssimas cenas salvam o filme de ser ruim.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

05/20/25

Full Review

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Tamra Davis

Director

Adam Sandler

Billy Madison

Darren McGavin

Brian Madison

Bridgette Wilson-Sampras

Veronica Vaughn

Bradley Whitford

Eric Gordon

Josh Mostel

Principal Max Anderson

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Billy Madison: Official Clip - May God Have Mercy On Your Soul

2:56

Billy Madison: Official Clip - The Academic Decathlon

2:56

Billy Madison: Official Clip - Study Time

3:00

Billy Madison: Official Clip - High School Loser

2:57

Billy Madison: Official Clip - Motivational Musical

2:34

Billy Madison: Official Clip - Childish Billy

2:58

Billy Madison: Official Clip - Billy Pees His Pants

2:23

Billy Madison: Official Clip - T-T-Today, Junior!

3:00

Billy Madison: Official Clip - Rizzuto

2:30

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Synopsis

Man-child Billy Madison has been a spoiled rich kid all his life, and spends his days drinking and partying. When his father, hotel magnate Brian, becomes fed up with his son's irresponsible ways, he issues an ultimatum. Since Billy passed all his schooling thanks to his father's influence and bribes, he must retake and pass every grade in 24 weeks. Otherwise, the business will be turned over to Brian's conniving associate, Eric.

Director: Tamra Davis
Producer: Robert Simonds
Screenwriter: Tim Herlihy, Adam Sandler
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures, Robert Simonds Productions
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 10, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $25.6M
Runtime: 1h 29m
Sound Mix: Surround

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