The Waterboy (PG-13, 1998)

common sense media says

Really dumb, but many teens love it anyway.


parents & educators say
  • 33% say violence is an issue
  • 33% say language is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie has locker-room style bad language and mild sexual references.

Violence: Mild
Sex: Mild
Language: Locker room language
Consumerism: Not applicable.

More on The Waterboy

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about what makes Sandler's type of humor so popular.

What's the story?

What's the story?
THE WATERBOY stars Adam Sandler as Bobby Boucher, a 31-year-old man who lives with his mother and cares only about providing the freshest, most delicious water for the football team. Fired by the coach (Jerry Reed), he volunteers to be the unpaid waterboy for a team that hasn't won a game in four years. Although his mother has raised him to avoid all relationships and he hates confrontation, it turns out that when he gets angry he can tackle a Mack truck. So, he becomes a football star, gets the girl (Fairuza Balk as a tattooed felon, but a loveable one), and teaches his mother and himself that he can be more independent.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
If you've seen the coming attraction and you still want to see this movie, then you are probably between the ages of 12 and 16 and will probably recognize all of the "played by themselves" sports stars who make cameos.

Sandler uses an especially annoying voice throughout and there isn't much energy in the script or performances. I cannot recommend it, but recognize that many adolescents will enjoy it, if only to be able to trade the punchlines with their friends.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Touchstone Pictures
Director: Frank Coraci
Cast: Adam Sandler, Fairuza Balk, Kathy Bates
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 90 minutes
Theatrical release: November 6, 1998
DVD release: March 16, 1999
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: language and some crude sexual humor

This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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What parents & educators say

17
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
  • 33% say violence is an issue
  • 33% say language is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

Evan182
teen, 17 years old
 
Waterboy
This movie is pretty dumb, I won't lie. But some of the movie is so dumb that it is very funny. There is one f bomb and other language. And a female character shows Adam Sandler her breasts. This isn't shown though.

starwars reviewer
kid, 13 years old
 
Ben Franklin? I Invented Comedy! Now This Is A True Comedy!
Let me begin by saying that I do not always laugh out loud to movies. I rolled on the floor for this one! Bobby Bouche is a persistant fellow who starts out as the waterboy, and makes his way up to football sensation! I must say, the descrition of the film did not catch my eye, (I'm not a real football fan) but when I watched it, I could not stop laughing! There are scenes that I would not reccomend for younger kids, like when the love interest shows her, eh, front, to Bobby. Her front is not shown onscreen though! You can only see her back. Still there is also a lot of swearing in this movie. I would reccomend it to anyone who needs a laugh.

uhya
teen, 13 years old
 
pretty funny,pretty dumb and pretty PG-13.

hagrid21
kid, 13 years old
 
High Quality H2O!
This is a funny movie about a kid who just wants to be himself but his "mama" won't let him. So he decides to be himself behind her back. Language and a brief sexual situation.

 
Not for younger viewers
Great movie but the language is terrible. There are most differently several words I wouldn't want my kids hearing.

Ashnak
adult
 
Waste of Film
'How to be a bully' given to teenagers is a bad idea. This movie is funny if you have already graduated from jr. high

CSM Screen ...
teen, 17 years old
 
ADAM SANDLER ROCKS!

racolson
teen, 17 years old
 
AWESOME MOVIE
One of the best movies ive ever seen. Its funny, and my entire family loves it.

Abbyrae11256
kid, 13 years old
 
some iffy parts
I really love this movie but it is a little stupid moments. This is a pretty good movie about sex and everything one main thing is that his "girlfriend" shows him her bobbys but it dosen't show. A little words for the no nos but good story.

HP the Critic
kid, 12 years old
 
Another funny voice Sandler comedy
Parents need to know that this does not disserve 1 out 5 stars.I think that they made a big mistake because i thought this was a classic.And don't get me wrong because it is. I'm just saying common sense media doesn't know what they are talking about on this movie.If this will be 1 out of 5 stars then you might as well make all comedies 1 out of 5 stars.Because this is a very funny Adam Sandler comedy.Anyway,this movie has some mild sexual humor and some locker room language such as the "f" word once by Rob Schneider's character.The "s" word a couple times along with usual h**l,d**n,and a*s.And once again don't listen to common sense media on this one because they don't know what they are talking about.

 
No, Adam Sandler does not rock.
I give it off for pure movie retardedness and lack of talent on any front.

moviegeek222
teen, 17 years old
 
FUNNY!!!!!!!!!!!
Great movie. very funny, totally appropriate for family. Recommended 7+

Bonky94
teen, 17 years old
 
Laughed my head off!
It is not dumb and quite funny.

Sbglulu
kid, 13 years old
 
Great movie exept...
When you get to the "What mama don't know dont hurt her" is where it gets inapropriate but from there on it is hilarios

Spielberg00
teen, 14 years old
 
Not very funny--only sometimes. Aims at humor with strong language.
My rating: PG-13 for frequent strong language, some sexual content and comic football-related violence.

Shadowofchaos41
teen, 13 years old
 
SO FUNNY
hahahahahaha one of the funniest movies I ever saw I hope this was useful

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