Adam Sandler Reveals His Favorite Movie of All Time and Fans Did Not Expect It

Adam Sandler has carved out a unique space in Hollywood, proving he can pivot from slapstick humor to gritty drama with surprising ease. In recent years, he has found a particular groove in more serious roles, notably in the 2019 hit Uncut Gems.

In that film, he portrays a frantic jewelry dealer navigating a high-stakes world of debt and addiction, delivering a performance that many critics viewed as a masterful blend of desperation and charm.

While these dramatic turns have earned him a new level of respect, the actor remains synonymous with the lighthearted comedies that made him a household name in the nineties.

Hits like Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore laid the foundation for his massive production company, Happy Madison, where he continues to work with a familiar group of comedic friends. Despite his busy schedule producing and starring in global hits, the actor recently revealed that his heart belongs to a very specific cinematic treasure.

In a conversation for the book You Gotta See This, Sandler shared that his absolute favorite film is the 1939 masterpiece The Wizard of Oz. He admitted with a laugh that he has no trouble naming it as his top pick, even if it isn’t the most typical answer for a comedian known for his brand of humor. He joked that while his mother often prompts him to rewatch it, the truth is that he is usually the one convincing her to sit through it with him.

For Sandler, the film represents the height of cinematic storytelling, and he even expressed his childhood admiration for Dorothy and the Scarecrow. He noted that he always felt the Scarecrow possessed a heart right from the beginning of the journey.

Although most of his own projects don’t mirror the grand, fantastical scale of the Land of Oz, eagle-eyed fans have spotted subtle nods to the classic in his earlier work, such as the musical cues used in the film Little Nicky.

Currently, the “Sandman” is enjoying a remarkably productive start to the year. He is fresh off the critical success of Jay Kelly, a Netflix dramedy directed by Noah Baumbach that premiered in late 2025. In the film, Sandler plays the devoted manager of a fading movie star portrayed by George Clooney, a role that earned him significant awards buzz and a win for Best Supporting Actor at the Astra Film Awards this January.

The actor is not slowing down, as he is set to be honored with the prestigious Maltin Modern Master Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival later this week. On the production front, he is currently gearing up to begin filming the highly anticipated sequel Grown Ups 3 in Vancouver. The project will reunite him with his longtime co-stars Kevin James, Chris Rock, and David Spade, following the record-breaking streaming numbers of his recent Happy Gilmore 2.

Fans can also catch him on the stage this spring, as he is headlining the “You’re My Best Friend” stand-up tour, which includes a major stop at the Hollywood Bowl for the “Night of Too Many Stars” benefit in May. Between his prestigious dramatic roles and his return to beloved comedy franchises, Sandler is proving that he remains one of the most versatile and enduring figures in the entertainment industry.

Which of Adam Sandler’s more serious dramatic performances do you think is his most impressive work? Share your thoughts in the comments!