The Wedding Singer (1998)

67% of critics liked it
(60 reviews)
76% of users liked it
(676,826 ratings)

Mousse up your hair and pull your Missing Persons records out of mothballs for this romantic comedy set in that era of questionable fashion decisions, the '80s. In 1985, Robbie Hart (Adam Sandler) is a vocalist whose rock band stubbornly refuses to get off the ground. In the meantime, he makes a… More Mousse up your hair and pull your Missing Persons records out of mothballs for this romantic comedy set in that era of questionable fashion decisions, the '80s. In 1985, Robbie Hart (Adam Sandler) is a vocalist whose rock band stubbornly refuses to get off the ground. In the meantime, he makes a living playing wedding receptions, where his easy charm and ability to schmooze brings him a steady income. Robbie meets Julia Sullivan (Drew Barrymore) when she's working as a waitress at one of his wedding gigs; he immediately takes a shine to her, but since he's engaged, he keeps his distance. Robbie learns that Julia is also engaged; unfortunately, her fiancÃ (C)e Glen Gulia (Matthew Glave) is an obnoxious, self-obsessed yuppie who is chronically unfaithful to her. When Robbie gets stood up at the altar by his fiancÃ (C)e, it's a crushing blow to his ego, and he moves from working weddings to bar mitzvahs to avoid the humiliating issue of matrimony, and he considers giving up on music altogether. In time, Robbie realizes that he needs to step in and stop Julia from marrying Glen before the woman he's come to love ruins her life. Adam Sandler's former Saturday Night Live co-stars Kevin Nealon and Jon Lovitz make cameo appearances, as do Steve Buscemi and Billy Idol -- as himself. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Frank Coraci
Written By: Tim Herlihy
Genres: Drama, Romance, Comedy

In Theaters: Feb 13, 1998 Wide
On DVD: Aug 5, 1998
Studio: New Line Cinema

Critic Reviews

Leonard Klady, Variety
Supporting players are uniformly strong, and Coraci deserves much credit for exacting just the right degree of outrageousness without spinning into some wild orbit.
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
Finally, an Adam Sandler comedy that you can sit through without wanting to throw a mallet through the screen.
Ruthe Stein, San Francisco Chronicle
As Robbie Hart, a former lead singer in a rock band reduced to performing at weddings, Sandler goes for more than the easy laughs.
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
A sparkling romantic comedy, the kind of picture that glides by so gracefully and unpretentiously that it's only upon reflection that you realize how much skill, caring and good judgment had to have gone into its making.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
Hokey as Robbie and Julia's courtship turns out to be, Mr. Sandler really does draw some empathy for his character's lonely plight.
David Denby, New York Magazine
The movie is a tame affair, shot on calm, manicured streets; the interiors are decorated in pastels.
Charles Cassady, Common Sense Media
Not the most original comedy, but many will enjoy.
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
The tone set by director Frank Coraci tends to the cartoonishly broad while making jokes at the expense of grotesques. [Blu-ray]
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
Sandler and Barrymore make their characters vivid, alive, believable, and, above all, sympathetic. (Blu-ray Edition)
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
Although the movie is remarkably schmaltzy, it's sweet and affecting, too, with Sandler's character as genuinely nice as he can be.
Kim Williamson, Boxoffice Magazine
Called on to replace some of his Happy Gilmore shtick with the emoting of a romantic lead, he does just that but in an unpersuasive on/off fashion.
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Yes, it's sappy. It's also silly, utterly unironic, a sketch stretched out to feature length, and, if you're in the right mood, pretty darned cute.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Barrymore and Sandler are lovely together, and the movie, set in 1985, was also among the first to tap into 1980s nostalgia.
Forrest Hartman, Reno Gazette-Journal
The plotting is simplistic but cute and the gags are consistently funny, particularly for anyone who grew up in the 1980s.
James Plath, Reel.com
One big love song to the '80s--a sweet, by-the-numbers romantic comedy that still climbs the charts because of crisp writing, a solid soundtrack, and cute performances from Sandler and Barrymore.
, Time Out
You can't help pulling for the kids.
Ron Wells, Film Threat
It's charmingly bad and an excellent date film.
Laura Clifford, Reeling Reviews
Uneven and silly? Yes. Enjoyable? Most definitely.
Dragan Antulov, rec.arts.movies.reviews
An hour and a half of solid entertainment.
Carlo Cavagna, AboutFilm.com
Fairly typical comedy, in that moments of genuine humor are spread out too thinly over a schmaltzy (sorry, "heartwarming") script. But how can you give a failing grade to a movie that spotlights silly early Eighties music?

Read all 23 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jennifer X

It's ehhhhhh. I do not like when Adam Sandler talks in a weird voice.
Cassie H

Fun Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore movie set in the year 1985. TOTALLY AWESOME! :) Love that Billy Idol makes an appearance too lol (:
Jeff "

The Wedding Singer is a pretty funny Adam Sandler comedy, considering that I don't like him that much, that's a lot coming from me. However The Wedding Singer is a funny enough comedy to keep you interested, and if you don't like Sandler, then this is one of least awful… More
The Wedding Singer is a pretty funny Adam Sandler comedy, considering that I don't like him that much, that's a lot coming from me. However The Wedding Singer is a funny enough comedy to keep you interested, and if you don't like Sandler, then this is one of least awful works. The Wedding Singer isn't a great film, but it is entertaining. The film manages to be funny and silly without trying too hard. That's what I like about this film, and that's what separates this film among other Adam Sandler comedies. This film doesn't try too hard at bringing on the jokes and making you laugh. While this is very much the case with many of Adam Sandler's films nowadays, the jokes feel forced, unfunny and try too hard at making you laugh. The Wedding Singer has a decent cast and they each bring something funny to the screen, sure the film could have been better, but considering that this is one of the few Adam Sandler films that actually is funny, that's saying a lot. The Wedding Singer is a good film to watch, and as far as I'm concerned, this one of the funnier films starring Adam Sandler. The films got plenty of laughs, and it does remind you that Sandler was once funny. Now, he's painfully unfunny, and makes terrible comedies. He used to make decent enough comedies back in the mid to late 90's, and The Wedding Singer proves it. Not perfect, but good nonetheless.
AJ V

A great new 80s movie. It's an hilarious romantic comedy with a bunch of great actors. It's even got a couple cameos from 80s actors. I love watching this movie, both for the nostalgia and for the great jokes and romance. I highly recommend it.
Bethany M

Adam Sandler singing 'I Wanna Grow Old With You' was one of the most hilarious yet romantic things I have ever seen. Amazing. You don't expect anything less from Adam Sandler, he's one of America's best comedians... and there's not a lot of them.
Conner R

I'm a huge fan of Adam Sandler's totally awesome 80's nostalgia flick. For whatever reason, it contains none of the not-so-great traditions of some of the Happy Madison movies and all of the good ones. Instead of being a parody of the 80s, it's something that… More
I'm a huge fan of Adam Sandler's totally awesome 80's nostalgia flick. For whatever reason, it contains none of the not-so-great traditions of some of the Happy Madison movies and all of the good ones. Instead of being a parody of the 80s, it's something that actually could have existed back in the decade. You can tell how much love these people have for the time period and its bizarre and naturally goofy elements. Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore are great together and feel like a genuine pair of people falling in love. Also, I believe that the downfall of Robbie's life is some of Adam Sandler's greatest pieces of comedy. Now that enough time has passed, it's safe to say that this has become something of a classic.
Spencer S

Everyone loves a classic Sandler film, but this is my absolute favorite. Not only does it express true love, honesty, and 80's flair, but it was the first step Sandler took towards sincere portrayals. It was basically the precursor to Punch Drunk Love.
erika b

A ok film. it was lacking a good plot bad bad singing . The part i like about this film was that it had some funny parts.
Sanjaya &

I'm not a big fan of Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, but I was really looking forward to see this movie because I already watched their chemistry in '50 First Dates' and they were great there... But what I saw for an hour and a half was a little disappointment... This… More
I'm not a big fan of Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, but I was really looking forward to see this movie because I already watched their chemistry in '50 First Dates' and they were great there... But what I saw for an hour and a half was a little disappointment... This movie wasn't that good, it's too cliché I think.. Boy meets girl, they have a good times together and falling in love, but they already tied in an engagement to another people... And when they realize they were meant to each other, they just misinterpret the situation... Even at the ending, they still can be together after the sacrifice made from the man by taking a first class flight to L.A. even he doesn't have the money... For the era of late 1990s, maybe this one was a good movie, but for this time, I already seen too much movies that typically looks like this movie... Even that I love 'Grow Old With You' song, it was good and the lyrics were great and funny...
Nicki M

I don't think I will ever, ever get tired of this one. It is Drew Barrymore's best movie and Adam Sandler's (although I acknowledge that's not saying a whole lot!). Everything about it works - the 80's setting, the soundtrack, the funny and sweet story, the… More
I don't think I will ever, ever get tired of this one. It is Drew Barrymore's best movie and Adam Sandler's (although I acknowledge that's not saying a whole lot!). Everything about it works - the 80's setting, the soundtrack, the funny and sweet story, the great cast. Robbie and Julia are the sweetest couple in a romantic comedy ever and it is just one of those films you can watch over and over and still not be sick of it even when you can quote all the lines before they happen. Have just rewatched it for about the 100th time and had a pleasant surprise to see there is an extra scene in the blu ray "Totally Awesome" edition. (Okay, so I am easily made happy!).
Candy R

If you love 80s cheese, this is a must see. Julia and Robbie are engaged to wrong people. He is a wedding singer and she is a waitress. Drew and Adam make a great on-screen couple. Adam is a good singer. Cute rom com.
Dead A

Sweet ending :)
Jennifer D

One of Adam Sandler's funniest.
Wahida K

A great lovestory
Anthony L

I'm not a big fan of rom-coms because usually they are neither romantic or funny. I have to say though that i do like the pairing of Barrymore and Sandler. This is an average film made much better thanks to Billy idol!
Thomas B

adam sandler, restraining himself? maybe that's what he should do more often
Lorenzo v

"He's gonna party like it's 1985." In 1985, Robbie Hart (Adam Sandler) is a vocalist whose rock band stubbornly refuses to get off the ground. In the meantime, he makes a living playing wedding receptions, where his easy charm and ability to… More
"He's gonna party like it's 1985." In 1985, Robbie Hart (Adam Sandler) is a vocalist whose rock band stubbornly refuses to get off the ground. In the meantime, he makes a living playing wedding receptions, where his easy charm and ability to schmooze brings him a steady income. Robbie meets Julia Sullivan (Drew Barrymore) when she's working as a waitress at one of his wedding gigs; he immediately takes a shine to her, but since he's engaged, he keeps his distance. Robbie learns that Julia is also engaged; unfortunately, her fiancée Glen Gulia (Matthew Glave) is an obnoxious, self-obsessed yuppie who is chronically unfaithful to her. When Robbie gets stood up at the altar by his fiancée, it's a crushing blow to his ego, and he moves from working weddings to bar mitzvahs to avoid the humiliating issue of matrimony, and he considers giving up on music altogether. In time, Robbie realizes that he needs to step in and stop Julia from marrying Glen before the woman he's come to love ruins her life. Review The eighties were a musical and cultural low, so setting a film within that era is a hazardous, some would say foolish, exercise. Somehow, however, The Wedding Singer manages to overcome the problems of a dreadful soundtrack, awful clothes, and a truly cringe-making cameo from Billy Idol, and provide a largely enjoyable couple of hours. The main reason for this is the excellent performance of the two leads, Sandler does pathos and bitterness in an appealing and yet un-sugary manner, and Barrymore is equally adept at naive and insecure. Together they manage to portray a couple whose destiny is obvious to everyone but themselves, in a very convincing manner. A couple of quite hilarious scenes (particularly the table full of losers), a couple of nice supporting performances and on the whole a pleasurable if not exceptional film.
Daniel P

One of Sandler's most under-rated performances.
Lenny M

Got to give it 4 because I think it his best pure comedy in the Sandler formula, not including brilliant films like Punch Drunk Love because they have way more depth. 80's and Sandler, great combination.
Mason W

This is my very favorite Adam Sandler movie. I love the pair of Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler they are good together on screen. If you are a fan of the 1980's like the music and such you will enjoy this moive. It has many funny scenes such as Adam going crazy at one wedding… More
This is my very favorite Adam Sandler movie. I love the pair of Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler they are good together on screen. If you are a fan of the 1980's like the music and such you will enjoy this moive. It has many funny scenes such as Adam going crazy at one wedding singing Love Stinks.....it is too funny.