Big Daddy

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2:21

Big Daddy

PG-13

1999

1h 33m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

39%

Tomatometer

92 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Thirty-two-year-old Sonny Koufax (Adam Sandler) has spent his whole life avoiding responsibility. But when his girlfriend dumps him for an older man, he's got to find a way to prove he's ready to grow up. In a desperate last-ditch effort, Sonny adopts 5-year-old Julian (Dylan Sprouse), (Cole Sprouse) to impress her. She's not impressed ... and he can't return the kid. Uh-oh for Sonny!

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Critics Consensus

Adam Sandler acquits himself admirably, but his charm isn't enough to make up for Big Daddy's jarring shifts between crude humor and mawkish sentimentality.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Mar 2, 2018

Amiable, schizoid and disposable, Big Daddy is just as formulaic as you might imagine.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Dec 22, 2010

3/5

Typical Adam Sandler -- charm mixed with crude humor.

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Lisa Alspector

Chicago Reader

Jun 2, 2008

This light yet earnest drama starring Adam Sandler deals openly with one of the most insidious elements in popular filmmaking -- the male screenwriter's relationship with his own father.

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Alan French

Sunshine State Cineplex

Jan 12, 2023

7/10

Though it is not as side-splittingly funny as Waterboy or Happy Gilmore, it still carries universal themes that resonate today.

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Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

Apr 17, 2020

2.5/5

Some so-so Adam Sandler for the evening.

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Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

Nov 29, 2009

2/4

The heavy-handed sentimentality provokes a most violent gag reflex.

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Matthew W

@Mattrocks704 Sep 4, 2026

(Re-watched) this movie is a classic comedy movie but compared to the older comedy movies of Adam Sandler there’s better ones out there. But good enough to rewatch over and over and over again.

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Kirstie W

@KLoves Jul 11, 2026

Loved this movie seen it at least 20 times.

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Sakitu T

@RT58496983 May 10, 2026

adam sandler's humour, not bad tho

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Nicolas M

@Nicolas67 Mar 28, 2026

Now it's not my favourite of adam sandler movies but it is a good, funny comedy movie, that makes me tear up In some scenes

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shane o

@Shanes_DVD_Shack Jan 19, 2026

Enjoyable , lots of heart. Not laugh out loud funny but makes you smile at moments

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Dude A. M

@Dudamundo Dec 27, 2025

This was back when I thought he was a young SNL alumnus just starting out. But little did I realize that this would be a continuing theme in his many nauseating & crass humorless movies.

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Dennis Dugan

Director

Adam Sandler

Sonny Koufax

Joey Lauren Adams

Layla Maloney

Jon Stewart

Kevin Gerrity

Dylan Sprouse

Julian "Frankenstien" McGrath

Cole Sprouse

Julian "Frankenstien" McGrath

Big Daddy: Official Clip - Scuba Sam

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Big Daddy: Official Clip - Picking-Up Girls in the Park

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Big Daddy: Official Clip - Old Man Sid

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Big Daddy: Official Clip - You're Not Proposing Are You?

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Big Daddy: Official Clip - Ready to Be a Father

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Big Daddy: Official Clip - New School of Child Raising

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Big Daddy: Official Clip - Saying Goodbye

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Big Daddy: Official Clip - To Pee or Not To Pee

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Big Daddy: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Thirty-two-year-old Sonny Koufax (Adam Sandler) has spent his whole life avoiding responsibility. But when his girlfriend dumps him for an older man, he's got to find a way to prove he's ready to grow up. In a desperate last-ditch effort, Sonny adopts 5-year-old Julian (Dylan Sprouse), (Cole Sprouse) to impress her. She's not impressed ... and he can't return the kid. Uh-oh for Sonny!

Director: Dennis Dugan
Producer: Sidney Ganis, Jack Giarraputo
Screenwriter: Steve Franks, Tim Herlihy
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Jack Giarraputo Productions, Out of the Blue... Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Some Crude Humor|Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 25, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $163.5M
Runtime: 1h 33m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Stereo, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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