The Waterboy

Name: The Waterboy
Genre: Sport, Comedy
Released: November 6, 1998
Duration: 90 min
Rating: 41
Cast: Adam Sandler, Henry Winkler, Kathy Bates

1998

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 21 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 260 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	Your Score
7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 260 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Buena Vista Pictures | Release Date: November 6, 1998

Starring: Adam Sandler, Henry Winkler, Kathy Bates

Summary: Just an oddball mama's boy from the back bayous of Louisiana, Bobby Boucher (Sandler) never wanted anything more than to quench the thirst of the dehydrated athletes who treat him like dirt! But when Coach Klein (Winkler) makes the call that allows Bobby to finally stand up for himself, it unleashes a torrent of bottled-up frustration ...Just an oddball mama's boy from the back bayous of Louisiana, Bobby Boucher (Sandler) never wanted anything more than to quench the thirst of the dehydrated athletes who treat him like dirt! But when Coach Klein (Winkler) makes the call that allows Bobby to finally stand up for himself, it unleashes a torrent of bottled-up frustration ... and exposes a talent for tackling that transforms him from a meek "water distribution engineer" into the hardest hitter ever to roam the gridiron! (Buena Vista Entertainment)… Expand

Director: Frank Coraci

Genre(s): Sport, Comedy

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 90 min

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Awards & Rankings

24	#24 Most Discussed Movie of 1998
62	#62 Most Shared Movie of 1998

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Critic Reviews

ReelViews - James Berardinelli

Arguably Sandler's most enjoyable motion picture to date, but it's still far from a masterpiece. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine - Ken Fox

No one does deranged quite like Kathy Bates (the film's running gag involving Bates and the delicacies of Cajun cuisine is hilarious). Read full review

Washington Post - Rita Kempley

The Perrier of dumb-and-dumber movies, an effervescent idiot's delight that burbles from the wellspring of silliness inside star Adam Sandler's head. Read full review

USA Today - Susan Wloszczyna

As funny as it can be, this underdawg comedy isn't much more than Sandler's golf-oriented "Happy Gilmore" with a Cajun accent. [6 November 1998, p. 10E]

Chicago Reader - Lisa Alspector

Geek-triumphs-after-all comedies can be charming, but in this one the triumphing begins so early it's hard to feel for the geek. Read full review

L.A. Weekly - Manohla Dargis

Of course it's dumb, but every 10 minutes or so, it's also pretty funny. Read full review

Entertainment Weekly - Lisa Schwarzbaum

Becomes yet another lame sports farce. Read full review

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User Reviews

StormTroopB

Mar 6, 2015

Nostalgic Value is off the charts! Great movie everyone should see it at least once. If you like sports this one will really hit the spot its a great mix of comedy and action.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

SamM.

Apr 28, 2007

Forget the critics, this is an awesome comedy. Sandler at his best!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

cameronmorewood

Nov 7, 2012

The funniest of all Sandler's films. Yes, Waterboy is even funnier than Happy Gilmore. The characters are all developed well and each of them delivers a different twist on a personality type.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

lukechristiansc

Nov 6, 2014

it is funny in deed but , when their is someone to cover Sandler's movie their most likely gonna never make a film again Oh look see Denis Dugan and Frank Coraci BOOOOOO !!!!!!!!! you suck stop making adam sandler movies here is the problem they are directors who don't care aboutit is funny in deed but , when their is someone to cover Sandler's movie their most likely gonna never make a film again Oh look see Denis Dugan and Frank Coraci BOOOOOO !!!!!!!!! you suck stop making adam sandler movies here is the problem they are directors who don't care about cinematography or shots of using the camera all they care is comedy !!!!!!! see Tyler Perry yeah their just like this big joke.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Jeimz

Jun 16, 2012

I cant say I particularly disliked this movie but I cant say I liked it either, I liked what it had to offer, but it didn't offer much. This movie earns a passing grade, albeit barely.

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

tropicAces

Jul 21, 2012

This is Sandlers stupidest film. He plays off dumb potty humor with little laughs. This is really his worse film (Jack and Jill doesn't count) and one of the 90's worst films.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

bladeagent

Mar 1, 2014

Adam Sandler's voice in this movie is like nails on a chalkboard! It's so bad! One of the worst comedies I've ever seen! So bad on so many levels. Here's to hoping his next film won't be as obnoxious.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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