Billy Madison (1995)
-
45% of critics liked it
(38 reviews) -
79% of users liked it
(701,354 ratings)
Master of infantilism Adam Sandler stars as the title character, an overgrown rich kid who wiles away his days poolside, swilling kegs of beer and appreciating fine nudie magazines such as "Drunk Chicks" -- that is, until his father (Darren McGavin) decides to test his mettle as future… More Master of infantilism Adam Sandler stars as the title character, an overgrown rich kid who wiles away his days poolside, swilling kegs of beer and appreciating fine nudie magazines such as "Drunk Chicks" -- that is, until his father (Darren McGavin) decides to test his mettle as future head of the family business by posing a challenge: retake and pass grades K-12 in 24 weeks or watch control of the business pass to the requisite conniving underling (Bradley Whitford). Forced into action, Billy vows to change his drunken ways. He enrolls in kindergarten, makes new friends, pelts pint-sized kids with playground balls and develops a love interest in a pretty teacher (Bridgitte Wilson). The action culminates in an academic showdown between Billy and the purportedly Harvard-educated underling for the future of the family enterprise -- no small feat for a man fresh out of the first grade. There's gross, moronic, off-color low humor galore in Billy Madison, particularly in one subplot involving a romantically forward elementary school principal (Josh Mostel, son of theater great Zero Mostel) and his secret former life as a professional wrestler; another scene includes the hypertense school bus driver (Chris Farley, in a typical over-the-top cameo) lying in the meadow with a hallucinatory penguin. As one might suspect, Billy Madison is not for every taste; Sandler fans will laugh from start to finish; others beware. ~ Jeremy Beday, Rovi
- Directed By
- Tamra Davis
- Written By
- Tim Herlihy, Adam Sandler, Rich Wilkes
- Genres
- Comedy
- In Theaters
- Feb 10, 1995 Limited
- Studio
- MCA Universal Home Video
Critic Reviews
-
Brian Lowry, Variety
Those unfamiliar with Sandler's antics may...begin to find him annoying sometime between the appearance of the Universal logo and the end of the opening credits.
-
Janet Maslin, New York Times
If you've ever had a yen to relive the third grade, this must be the next best thing.
-
Peter Rainer, Los Angeles Times
Director Tamra Davis and screenwriters Sandler and Tim Herlihy scatter the bad jokes like fertilizer. Nothing sprouts.
-
Rita Kempley, Washington Post
As one character tells Billy in the finale: "Everyone in this room is dumber for having listened to you."
-
Brian Orndorf, BrianOrndorf.com
It's refreshing to revisit the jester in his screen infancy, when all he wanted was to boogie to a Culture Club hit, carry on conversations with hair care products, and sit on a sprinkler.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Also available on
UltraViolet Retailers
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
Cast
-
Adam Sandler
as Billy Madison
-
Darren McGavin
as Brian Madison
-
Bridgette Wilson
as Veronica
-
Bradley Whitford
as Eric Gordon
-
Josh Mostel
as Max Anderson
-
Mark Beltzman
as Jack
-
Steve Buscemi
as Danny McGrath
-
Claire Cellucci
as Attractive Lady
-
Chris Farley
as O'Doyle the Bus Driver
-
Larry Hankin
as Carl Alphonse
-
Helen Hughes
as 2nd Grade Teacher
-
Tex Konig
as Crazy Person
-
Theresa Merritt
as Juanita
-
Lawrence Nakamura
as Lawn Guy
-
Gladys O'Connor
as Tour Guide
-
Allison Robinson
as Newswoman
-
Justin Williams
as 3rd Grader
-
Colin Smith
as O'Doyle (Grade 9)
-
Joyce Gordon
as Lunch Lady
-
Benjamin Barrett
as Tenth Grader
-
Marcia Bennett
as 4th Grade Teacher
-
Amos Crawley
as Rod
-
Diane Douglass
as Nurse
-
Matthew Ferguson
as Tenth Grader
-
Hrant Alianak
as Pete
-
Jack Mather
as Clemens
-
Norm Macdonald
as Frank
- Brigette Wilson
- Bridgette Wilson-Sampras



