Parents' Guide to

Big Daddy

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Typical Adam Sandler: charm mixed with crude humor.

Movie PG-13 1999 93 minutes
Big Daddy Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 11 parent reviews

Aperson.
Aperson. Adult
November 12, 2020
age 8+

Love it

It is amazing though there is a couple inappropriate parts I just covered my sons eyes at that part
Shrek_boy
Shrek_boy Adult
August 9, 2020
age 9+

Funny

Pretty great film. Saw it with my nephew four years ago when he was eight and he loved it. Has a bit of language but nothing a kid can’t handle And a bit of comedic violence but has some good messages

This title has:

Great messages
Too much violence
Too much swearing
See all 11 parent reviews

What's the Story?

BIG DADDY centers on Sonny Koufax (Adam Sandler), a shiftless young man who is wasting his life, much to the chagrin of his parents, friends, and girlfriend. One day, 5-year-old Julian (played by twins Cole and Dylan Sprouse) is abandoned on his doorstep through a mix-up. Rather than place the boy in an orphanage, Koufax agrees to take care of him for a few days, thinking it will help him win back his ex-girlfriend. At first the two have fun behaving irresponsibly together, but gradually Koufax comes to love the boy and realizes that he wants to keep him. He also realizes that if he wants to keep Julian, he will have to begin to accept some responsibility. He sees the consequences of his slacker lifestyle in the influence he has on the child -- and in the risk he runs of losing him. Koufax fights the Department of Social Services in court when they come to take the boy back.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (11):
Kids say (63):

Big Daddy has all the unavoidable elements of an Adam Sandler film: slapstick humor, gross jokes, bodily functions galore, spectacular pratfalls, and more than a sprinkling of sexual innuendo. Yet it's a welcome return to the sweetness and heart of The Wedding Singer after the numbing dopiness of The Waterboy, and the tasteless portions (about 90 percent of the film) are played in such a broad and obvious way that there's little risk teens will mistake this for acceptable behavior.

This is not a profound movie, but adolescents (and those who like adolescent humor) will enjoy it. Sandler has a light-enough touch that the movie doesn't become sentimental or lose its sense of humor by adding some heart to the characters. Like the character he plays, Sandler is beginning to learn that you can be responsible and funny at the same time.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the appeal of silly comedies such as this one. Where is the line between funny and offensive?

  • How is product placement used in this movie? Why do some movies have what amounts to commercials shoehorned into the story? Do you think this is a problem? Why, or why not?

  • Adam Sandler has a distinct style and personality that often defines his movies. Who are some other actors with their own distinct styles and personalities, in both comedy and drama?

Movie Details

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