“I didn’t get into movies to please the critics”: Adam Sandler’s Box Office Success Makes Him Every Critics’ Greatest Nightmare

Despite Adam Sandler's vast fan following, critics scoff, but his box office smash hits scoff back louder!

"I didn't get into movies to please the critics": Adam Sandler's Box Office Success Makes Him Every Critics' Greatest Nightmare

SUMMARY

  • Adam Sandler is indeed a pioneer of a certain type of comedy in Hollywood, consequently, his films have carved out a unique space for themselves despite not being favored by critics.
  • One major aspect of Sandler's personality that people admire for themselves is his sheer unbothered attitude.
  • Although it is his profession, he refuses to take things seriously, understanding that it could harm his sanity.
  • Up to now, the actor's films have raked in a whopping $5.56 billion at the box office, a jaw-dropping figure, to say the least.
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Besides Adam Sandler’s baggy polo and basketball shorts, there’s something else that people find quite fascinating about him, and that is the impressive box office numbers he holds. Truth be told, he is indeed a pioneer of a certain type of comedy in Hollywood.

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Consequently, his films have carved out a unique space for themselves despite not being favored by critics. Well now, criticism may come and go, but Sandler’s got his finger on the pulse of his craft. There’s something about Sandler that people might never figure out, but one thing’s for sure, the Sandler magic is real.

Adam Sandler in a still from You Don't Mess with the Zohan
Adam Sandler in a still from You Don’t Mess with the Zohan

What is the Secret to Adam Sandler’s Zen?

While some people want to be with him, some people want to be him, there’s something about Adam Sandler that makes him totally unique and nothing like the stereotypical actors of Hollywood. One major aspect of Sandler’s personality that people admire the most is his sheer unbothered attitude.

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Whether it’s appearing in baggy polos and basketball shorts at a movie premiere or being completely unfazed by critics, he possesses a quality very few are blessed with, especially in the cutthroat world of showbiz.

adam sandler happy gilmore-2
Adam Sandler in Happy Gilmore

For example, when Las Vegas Weekly critiqued his 2015 movie Pixels by saying,

“Calling Pixels one of Sandler’s better movies is like calling a particular strain of Ebola somewhat less horrifically painful; either way, it’s not pleasant.” 

That is not something people could recover from, but for Adam Sandler, it would take something even more powerful to break him. As he articulated in his side to The Independent, saying,

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“I know what they’re writing about me,–I could almost write the piece for them by now. But then I remember that I didn’t get into movies to please the critics. I got into it to make people laugh and have fun with my friends.”

And he does just that. Although it is his profession, he refuses to take things seriously, understanding that it could harm his sanity. Thus, he makes projects he believes in, hoping that like-minded people will appreciate them, and they do. Despite Pixels receiving mixed reviews in the market, it grossed a worldwide total of $244.9 million, surpassing its budget range of $88 million to $129 million.

Adam Sandler’s Box Office Collection

Up to now, the actor’s films have raked in a whopping $5.56 billion at the box office according to the Numbers, a jaw-dropping figure, to say the least. His career reached its peak in the late 2000s and early 2010s, and till now he has been a part of over 50 movies as an actor.

Some of his most successful ventures include the beloved Hotel Transylvania series, which continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Besides classics like 50 First Dates or The Wedding Singer, these are the films that remain the go-to choice for many binge-watchers.

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Despite Adam Sandler’s popularity and box office success, his films have consistently fallen short with critics. But despite often being criticized for lacking originality, or depth, his movies continue to draw in audiences who seem to adore them nonetheless.

Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler in Just Go with it
Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler in Just Go With It

From his early days of cracking jokes on Saturday Night Live to making people laugh in classics like Airheads and Billy Madison, Adam Sandler has firmly cemented himself as a heavyweight in the comedy world. And you know what? He’s still holding that title strong to this very day! These days, not just content with acting, he’s also testing the waters as a producer and writer, leaving his magic on numerous films in the process.

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Written by Sampurna Banerjee

Articles Published: 760

Sampurna Banerjee, an ardent enthusiast of pop culture and movies, pours her passion into her role as a writer for FandomWire. With a penchant for Marvel, DC, and sitcoms, she has contributed over 400 articles, staying up-to-date to the entertainment industry's latest buzz. Moreover, she's penned over 300 articles for Animated Times and shared her work across several Instagram pages. Currently she is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Calcutta University.