Big Daddy
Big Daddy
A lazy law school graduate adopts a kid to impress his girlfriend, but everything doesn't go as planned.
Manuel Frangis reviewedMarch 23, 2025
I just watched Big Daddy again and I give it 5 out of 5 stars. This is one of Adam Sandler’s best movies and still one of my favorite comedies of all time. It is funny, wild, and full of heart in a way that hits just right. It has that perfect mix of dumb humor and real emotion that makes it stand out.
The story follows Sonny Koufax, a lazy guy in his 30s who basically does nothing with his life. One day, out of nowhere, a little kid gets dropped off at his apartment and he decides to take care of him just to prove he can be responsible. Of course, Sonny has no idea what he is doing and chaos follows. But what starts as a joke slowly becomes something more meaningful.
Adam Sandler is amazing in this role. He is goofy, immature, and constantly messing up, but he is also incredibly likable and funny. You can tell he cares, even if he shows it in the dumbest ways. He delivers one hilarious line after another but still manages to bring real emotion when it counts. This is Sandler at his best, before things got too over the top in his later movies.
The kid, played by the Sprouse twins, is great too. For such a young character, he adds a lot to the movie. The bond between Sonny and the kid feels real and natural. They have great chemistry and the way their relationship develops is what gives the movie its heart. You go from laughing at their messes to actually caring about what happens to them.
The humor in Big Daddy is classic early Sandler. There is tons of random jokes, childish humor, and ridiculous one liners. Whether it is peeing on walls, dressing however you want, or giving terrible advice to a five year old, it is all part of the fun. But somehow, it all works because it comes from a place of good intentions.
The movie also has a lot of those small side characters that make everything even funnier. Rob Schneider plays a delivery guy who is totally clueless but lovable, and Jon Stewart shows up in a smaller role that works perfectly as a straight man to Sandler’s craziness. There are tons of quotable lines and funny moments that hold up even today.
The pacing is great. There is always something going on and the movie never slows down too much. It balances the comedy with just enough drama to give the story weight. And when it wants to hit you with some real emotion, it does it without going overboard.
The reason I give it 5 out of 5 stars is because it does everything right for what it is trying to be. It is a hilarious comedy with a heartwarming message about growing up, taking responsibility, and learning to care about someone besides yourself. It is not trying to be perfect, it is just trying to be fun and real, and it totally succeeds.
Overall Big Daddy is one of Adam Sandler’s best movies and a total classic in the comedy world. It is funny, touching, and super rewatchable. I loved it when I was younger and I still love it now. Definitely one of those movies I will always go back to.