1 of Adam Sandler’s Funniest Movies Lands a New Streaming Home 30 Years After Its Release

It may only have a 40% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, but Adam Sandler’s 1995 movie, Billy Madison, has become a classic among audiences since it was released 30 years ago. The film boasts a 79% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, and hits Hulu on Feb. 1.

Billy Madison stars Sandler as the titular man-child, Billy Madison, who, to inherit his father’s hotel empire, must repeat first through twelfth grade again. His father, Brian, is played by the late Darren McGavin, of A Christmas Story fame. In the process of going through school again, Billy is hindered by his rival, Eric Gordon, played by Emmy-winner Bradley Whitford (The West Wing).

Although Billy Madison wasn’t a box office hit, grossing just $26.4 million against a budget of $10 million, it is considered to be one of Sandler’s funniest movies and one of the first starring the Saturday Night Live alum. Before Billy Madison, Sandler had smaller roles in 1993’s Coneheads, Airheads (1994), and the Steve Martin-led Mixed Nuts (1994).

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Chris Farley’s Cameo Steals the Show

Billy Madison was directed by Tamra Davis and written by Sandler and Tim Herlihy (The Wedding Singer). It also starred Bridgette Wilson-Sampras, Josh Mostel and fellow Saturday Night Live cast member, the late Norm Macdonald. The late Chris Farley also makes a cameo as the unconventional school bus driver who takes Billy’s class on a field trip in the movie.

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Happy Gilmore 2 is coming

Sandler’s follow-up to Billy Madison was the iconic Happy Gilmore, which grossed $41.2 million against its $12 million budget in 1996. The movie co-starred Julie Bowen (Modern Family), Christopher McDonald, and Frances Bay. It follows Sandler’s Happy Gilmore, a hockey player who converts to a golfer to try to win money to get his grandmother’s house back after it is repossessed by the IRS.

Happy Gilmore 2 is currently in the works, and the sequel movie was greenlit by Netflix in May of 2024. Principal photography on the film began in September in New Jersey and Sandler will be reprising his role as the beloved golfer. Sandler has confirmed that Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce will be making a cameo in the sequel. Bowen and McDonald are also confirmed to return to the follow-up movie in their respective roles as Madison’s love interest Virginia Venit and rival golfer Shooter McGavin. A trailer for the sequel was recently released, featuring Sandler and McDonald.

The Sequel Will Have Several Notable Cameos

The movie is being directed by Kyle Newacheck (Workaholics) from a script written by Sandler and Herlihy. Ben Stiller, Bad Bunny, and Nick Swardson are also slated to be featured in the movie. Recent set photos show that Stiller will be reprising his role as Hal, a nursing home worker who was famously rude to Happy’s grandma in the first movie. PGA golfer John Daly and rapper Marshall “Eminem” Mathers will also have cameos in the sequel.

Thus far, there is no set release date for Happy Gilmore 2. Billy Madison will stream on Hulu on Feb. 1.

Source: Hulu

Billy Madison

Director

Tamra Davis

Release Date

February 10, 1995

Cast

Bradley Whitford
, Adam Sandler
, Chris Farley
, Darren McGavin
, Steve Buscemi
, Bridgette Wilson-Sampras

Runtime

89 minutes

Studio(s)

Universal Pictures

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