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Parents' Guide to

Billy Madison

By Alex Orner, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Goofy comedy with immature humor, profanity, sex jokes.

Movie PG-13 1995 90 minutes
Billy Madison Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 19 parent reviews

John P.
John P. Parent of 3-year-old
May 1, 2023
age 3+
Rated T for Tommy
Rated T for Tommy Adult
January 27, 2023
age 14+

This film is a comedic glorification of mental illness with fatphobic jokes. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

Billy Madison is a mentally ill, nudie magazine-addicted manchild, that has to go back to school and complete all 12 grades. If anything, the falling in love with the third grade teacher story was so unrealistic. Like she would actually have this awakening and fall for this spoiled dork. He literally grabbed her breast after he was triple dog dared by immature 4th graders! The jerk plotting to take Billy down wasn’t even likable as a villain, and would often crack offensive jokes at an obese man’s expense. He is handed a fatphobic note by a child. Adam Sandler making fun of a stuttering child (which was fortunately rebuked), and reading she-male magazines. These are all examples of stuff that would not fly with today’s politically correct movements. It had its redeeming moments like the Steve Buscemi phone call and Chris Farley as the bus driver. (I won’t spoil much). The scene towards the ending was dark and reminded me of the 2019 Joker (you’ll know what I mean if you see it). The film was way more stupid than funny. The film is also highly illogical in terms of how Billy can ace all twelve grades after his father wrongfully paid off his teachers in the past. I tried to understand the comedic genius of Billy Madison at a certain point but the film would often drag, especially the discussion scenes with the men of the hotel. I honestly thought this film had potential to be as good as Adam Sandler’s other movies if he wasn’t trying to hard. All in all, if you’re looking for a good Adam Sandler comedy, go check out “Wedding Singer” & “Happy Gilmore”. Those movies are way better.
See all 19 parent reviews

What's the Story?

To inherit his family's chain of hotels, Billy (Adam Sandler) makes a deal with his father to pass grades 1-12 without cheating. There is only one problem: Billy is a good-for-nothing idiot. The 27-year-old spoiled brat is usually drunk. He chases invisible penguins and pranks neighbors by setting fire to bags of poo on their doorsteps. As the movie progresses, Billy slowly learns responsibility. The film culminates with an academic decathlon against conniving Madison Hotels V.P., Eric Gordon (Bradley Whitford) and Billy falling in love with his teacher Veronica Vaughn (Bridgette Wilson).

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (19 ):
Kids say (102 ):

Similar to Sandler's Happy Gilmore, BILLY MADISON is a silly, unintelligent comedy that offers no real message. Without warning, though, audiences both young and old may find themselves guffawing at the film's more random memorable moments (Miss Lippy's paste facial comes to mind). The film features great cameos by Steve Buscemi and Sandler's old SNL pals Chris Farley and Norm McDonald. There's lots of iffy material but young teens are sure to enjoy it.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Billy's apathetic view on life. How did growing up without any pressures or responsibilities result in Billy's degenerate lifestyle?

  • This was Adam Sandler's first movie. How did this movie set the tone for future Adam Sandler movies? What similarities do you see between this and other movies starring Adam Sandler?

  • In light of so much gun violence in schools in the years since this movie was released, do you think the climactic scene in the high school auditorium would be the same had the movie been released just a few years later?

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