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Billy Madison

  • 1995
  • PG-13
  • 1h 29m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
162K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,044
212
Adam Sandler and Bridgette Wilson-Sampras in Billy Madison (1995)
Home Video Trailer from Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Play trailer2:54
1 Video
99+ Photos
SlapstickComedy

In order to inherit his fed-up father Brian's hotel empire, immature and lazy Billy Madison must repeat grades one through twelve all over again. The further Billy progresses, the harder his... Read allIn order to inherit his fed-up father Brian's hotel empire, immature and lazy Billy Madison must repeat grades one through twelve all over again. The further Billy progresses, the harder his hated rival Eric Gordon tries to stop him.In order to inherit his fed-up father Brian's hotel empire, immature and lazy Billy Madison must repeat grades one through twelve all over again. The further Billy progresses, the harder his hated rival Eric Gordon tries to stop him.

  • Director
    • Tamra Davis
  • Writers
    • Tim Herlihy
    • Adam Sandler
  • Stars
    • Adam Sandler
    • Darren McGavin
    • Bridgette Wilson-Sampras
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    162K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,044
    212
    • Director
      • Tamra Davis
    • Writers
      • Tim Herlihy
      • Adam Sandler
    • Stars
      • Adam Sandler
      • Darren McGavin
      • Bridgette Wilson-Sampras
    • 285User reviews
    • 30Critic reviews
    • 16Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Billy Madison
    Trailer 2:54
    Billy Madison

    Photos188

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    Top cast85

    Edit
    Adam Sandler
    Adam Sandler
    • Billy Madison
    Darren McGavin
    Darren McGavin
    • Brian Madison
    Bridgette Wilson-Sampras
    Bridgette Wilson-Sampras
    • Veronica Vaughn
    • (as Bridgette Wilson)
    Bradley Whitford
    Bradley Whitford
    • Eric Gordon
    Josh Mostel
    Josh Mostel
    • Principal Max Anderson
    Norm MacDonald
    Norm MacDonald
    • Frank
    Mark Beltzman
    Mark Beltzman
    • Jack
    Larry Hankin
    Larry Hankin
    • Carl Alphonse
    Theresa Merritt
    Theresa Merritt
    • Juanita
    Dina Platias
    • Miss Lippy
    Hrant Alianak
    Hrant Alianak
    • Pete
    Vincent Marino
    • Cook
    Jack Mather
    • Ted 'Old Man' Clemens
    Christopher Kelk
    Christopher Kelk
    • Rollo the Janitor
    Marc Donato
    Marc Donato
    • Nodding 1st Grader
    Keith Cole
    • Penguin
    Chris Mei
    • Penguin
    Conor Devitt
    • O'Doyle (Grade 1)
    • Director
      • Tamra Davis
    • Writers
      • Tim Herlihy
      • Adam Sandler
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews285

    6.4162.2K
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    Featured reviews

    7jonny-pears

    Some of you take life so seriously!

    So there are a lot of bad reviews for this movie and although we don't all have to agree with the same thing, I feel some reviews were made out of spite. Is it a stupid movie? Yes. Is it immature? Yes. Did some of the reviews take this too seriously? Yes. It's a movie about a man-child who goes back to school in the hope of getting grades so he can own and run his fathers business. There is a cast of children. Why did anyone try to take this seriously??? Look it's not the funniest movie ever and it's really silly in places but it's enjoyable and harmless enough. There are some random but funny acts and some strange scenes but all in all it's not that bad. I first watched this 26 years ago and I still giggle at some of the stupidity. Especially a random song.....
    7La Gremlin

    "I'm one of the GOOD guys, Penguin!"

    This is one of those lucky cases where the opening sequence of a movie gives you an excellent idea of what you are in for.

    If you do not enjoy Billy's sunblock song, or the bit with the penguin, then you must turn off the movie and stop being such a nag about it.

    But for those of us who happen to enjoy movies that are silly and stupid, this is one of the best ones out there.
    b3n9ray

    Total rubbish. Just excruciating. You actually LIKE this??

    This was on TV last night, and I watched it on the strength of the reviews here at imdb.com. I am AMAZED that so many people liked this pustulent, fetid, rancid discharge of a film. Its lack of comedy is only equalled by its immaturity and pointlessness. There is no acting, no humour, and a plot so thin I can only wonder how it survives holding the weight of its own rancid patheticness. I was literally slack jawed with shock at how bad this film is. I was frustrated with sorrow for the people who actually liked this - one reviewer says that he / she was laughing out loud. At what? How films like this ever get released? How Adam Sandler still has a career after this moronic turd of a film? Just awful. Dont say I did not warn you. By the way, this is only the 2nd review I have written on imdb.com. Generally I feel little need to, as previous posters sum up (generally) the pros and cons of a film very well, but I feel in this case, the public should be warned. I cannot BELIEVE there are so many good reviews for this film, and the truth needs to be told. I am actually offended that this rubbish got greenlighted, made and released, where actual (would be) decent films never see production.

    Shocking.
    6FrankBooth_DeLarge

    Such a funny movie, it never gets old

    If you want to see a movie that is fun, puts you in a good mood, and never gets old, then see Billy Madison. All of you Sandler haters will think this is stupid, but everyone who likes Adam Sandler, or doesn't mind humor that is kind of stupid will love Billy Madison.

    This is one of Adam Sandler's first movies, and it's one of his best also. This is a movie that I've seen so many times, but I still enjoy it every time. This is good to watch when you're in a bad mood, or if you're stressed out, because it will perk you up quicker than any coffee you can name. Other movies that put you in a good mood are Happy Gilmore, Beavis and Butthead Do America, South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut, and Tommy Boy.

    Overall, Billy Madison has a somewhat stupid sense of humor, but it does make you laugh, and it's such an entertaining movie. If you haven't seen this yet, see it now and see what all the laughing is about.
    7nathandm-75297

    Adam Sandler at his most surreal

    Out of all of Adam Sandler's comedic efforts, Billy Madison still stands as his most profoundly weird and dare I say, surreal.

    Many of Sandler's worst comedies, such as Jack and Jill and Grown Ups are comedies that fail due to how horrifically lazy and uninspired they are. From their premises to their jokes and gags and their overall execution, those movies just have nothing to offer in terms of inspired humor or even just surface-level entertainment. Billy Madison may be absurdly idiotic and juvenile, but the movie isn't lazy or uninspired.

    Many of the jokes and gags in this film are supremely strange, such as Billy making a call to an old schoolmate he used to bully and apologizing to him, then later on, that same guy comes back at the end of the film to save Billy from the film's antagonist, Eric, by shooting him in the ass with a sniper rifle. This movie does genuinely feel like an inspired piece of alternative comedy that totally works for me.

    And the film manages to avoid what many of the worst Sandler comedies indulge in, which is trying to trick the audience with moments of phony sentimentality as a way to convince them into believing that the film has an emotional core. Billy Madison knows exactly what kind of movie it is and it makes no apologies for how stupid or ridiculous it gets and I both respect and appreciate that.

    Billy Madison is a childish, bizarre, and kind of dark comedic film at times which is what makes it unique from most of Sandler's other films. It's an acquired taste for sure, this movie certainly wouldn't turn any Sandler haters into believers. But in comparison to most of Sandler's other comedies, Billy Madison is one that stands out.

    "Hey Billy, who would you rather bone, Meg Ryan or Jack Nicholson?"

    "Jack Nicholson now, or 1974?"

    "'74"

    "Meg Ryan."

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      During the school bus scene, Chris Farley turning bright red in aggravation was improvised, according to Adam Sandler in I Am Chris Farley (2015). Chris, before filming that scene, downed six entire cups of espressos. He would do that in most of his other movies to maintain his trademark manic energy.
    • Goofs
      When Billy is dialing the phone to call the guy he picked on in high school, a phone can be heard ringing.

      This is part of the song being played.
    • Quotes

      Principal: Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

    • Alternate versions
      In some edited-for-tv versions of the film, during the Jeopardy game at the end of the film, the scene of the host reading the "burning dog poo and the human response" clue has been removed. However, the clue can still be seen on the board in distant shots.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Just Cause/Billy Madison/The Brady Bunch Movie/Mr. Payback (1995)
    • Soundtracks
      Telephone Line
      Written by Jeff Lynne

      Performed by Electric Light Orchestra

      Courtesy of Epic Records

      by arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

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    FAQ21

    • How long is Billy Madison?Powered by Alexa
    • Does Billy have learning disabilities?
    • What are the differences between the old British BBFC PG DVD and the Original Version?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 10, 1995 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Tonto pero no tanto
    • Filming locations
      • Parkwood Estate, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada(Billy's mansion: exterior, and grounds)
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • Robert Simonds Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $10,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $25,588,734
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $6,639,080
      • Feb 12, 1995
    • Gross worldwide
      • $26,488,734
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 29 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • DTS-Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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