Common Sense Media Review
Goofy Sandler comedy has profanity, sex jokes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Billy Madison
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 17 parent reviews
Based on 104 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is a hilarious yet controversial comedy that features a mix of superficial humor and significant mature themes, including sexual jokes and profanity. While many viewers find it entertaining and recommend it for older teens and adults, others caution that its inappropriate content makes it unsuitable for younger audiences.
- funny
- inappropriate humor
- sexual jokes
- older audience
- family viewing
- immature comedy
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
To inherit his family's chain of hotels, BILLY MADISON (Adam Sandler), who never finished his primary education, makes a deal with his father to pass grades 1-12 without cheating. There's only one problem: Billy isn't mature enough to do it. The 27-year-old spoiled brat is usually drunk. He chases invisible penguins and pranks neighbors by setting fire to bags of poop on their doorsteps. But 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), with Billy's community -- and his favorite teacher, Veronica Vaughn (Bridgette Wilson) -- waiting in the wings to see whether he can pull it off.
Is It Any Good?
Like Sandler's Happy Gilmore, this is a silly, lowbrow comedy that prioritizes quick laughs over deeper messages. Without warning, audiences may find themselves chuckling at the film's more random but memorable moments (a paste facial comes to mind). The film also features great cameos by Steve Buscemi and Sandler's old SNL pals Chris Farley and Norm McDonald.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Billy's apathetic outlook at the start of Billy Madison. How did growing up without any pressures or responsibilities result in his lifestyle?
This was Adam Sandler's first movie. How did it set the tone for future Sandler movies? What similarities do you see between this and his other movies?
In light of so much gun violence in schools since 1993, when this movie was released, do you think the high school auditorium scene hits differently today? What's another way this scene/joke might have been portrayed?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 1, 1995
- On DVD or streaming : August 8, 1995
- Cast : Adam Sandler , Bradley Whitford , Norm MacDonald
- Director : Tamra Davis
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s)
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Competition , Family Stories ( Dads ) , School ( Elementary School , High School ) , Friendship , Sports
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language and crude humor
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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