The Waterboy

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The Waterboy

PG-13

Released Nov 6, 1998

1h 28m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

34%

Tomatometer

76 Reviews

71%

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250,000+ Ratings

Raised by his overprotective mother, Helen (Kathy Bates), Bobby Boucher Jr. (Adam Sandler) is the water boy for a successful college football team coached by Red Beaulieu (Jerry Reed). When Beaulieu fires Bobby, he takes up the same position for a losing rival team, led by despairing Coach Klein (Henry Winkler). After witnessing Bobby beat up a player who teased him too much, Klein adds him to the roster as a linebacker. Soon, Klein's players are championship contenders.

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Critics Consensus

This is an insult to its genre with low humor and cheap gags.

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Andrew O'Hehir

Sight & Sound

A witless and utterly predictable comic fantasy about a misfit turned hero.

Jun 18, 2012

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Really dumb, but many teens love it anyway.

Rated: 1/5

Dec 29, 2010

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Glenn Lovell

Variety

The formulaic mix of mirth and mayhem is aimed way down the MTV food chain...

Jun 2, 2008

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Cory Woodroof

For the Win (USA Today)

The Waterboy is a much sharper satire of Saturday mornings in the South than you’d expect.

Oct 26, 2024

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

This juvenile, unnecessary, and utterly pathetic madness can barely be considered a comedy; the jokes are so immature and flat that it more closely resembles a tragedy.

Rated: 2/10

Sep 25, 2020

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

An agreeable yet forgettable comedy...

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 10, 2010

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Holy M

Quite possibly the greatest film ever made. You wanna know what? It's the highest-grossing sports comedy of all time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/08/25

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Harrison B

I laughed out loud multiple times, which is literally all you can expect from a comedy.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/25

Full Review

Michael M

As a Southerner and a college football fan, The Waterboy hits all the right notes for me. Add Adam Sandler’s signature humor, Fairuza Balk’s fiery charm, Kathy Bates’ unforgettable performance as a doting (and hilarious) mama, and Henry Winkler’s lovable coach—it’s always a fun watch, especially with friends. The movie is packed with quotable lines that never fail to bring a laugh, and its over-the-top take on football culture feels both absurd and oddly familiar. It’s the kind of comedy that doesn’t try to be anything other than entertaining, and it delivers every time. If you’re looking for something light, funny, and perfect for a game day vibe, The Waterboy is an easy pick.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/26/24

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Audience Member

very funny and very well done film 10/10

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/16/24

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Bryant C

Went back to watch this classic movie, the jokes still hit even after 17 years !

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/24/24

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Audience Member

Greatest movie ever, plain and simple. All these critic reviews are horse sh*t 🤷‍♂️

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/30/24

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Frank Coraci

Director

Adam Sandler

Bobby Boucher

Kathy Bates

Helen 'Mama' Boucher

Henry Winkler

Coach Klein

Fairuza Balk

Vicki Vallencourt

Jerry Reed

Coach Red Beaulieu

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12%

53%

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Synopsis

Raised by his overprotective mother, Helen (Kathy Bates), Bobby Boucher Jr. (Adam Sandler) is the water boy for a successful college football team coached by Red Beaulieu (Jerry Reed). When Beaulieu fires Bobby, he takes up the same position for a losing rival team, led by despairing Coach Klein (Henry Winkler). After witnessing Bobby beat up a player who teased him too much, Klein adds him to the roster as a linebacker. Soon, Klein's players are championship contenders.

Director: Frank Coraci
Producer: Jack Giarraputo, Robert Simonds
Screenwriter: Tim Herlihy, Allen Pasqua, Adam Sandler
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Touchstone Pictures, Waterboy Productions
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 6, 1998, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $161.5M
Runtime: 1h 28m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS

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