Adam Sandlerhas starred in plenty of comedy classics, and one underrated sports remake is finding renewed success on streaming. While many viewers are excitedly rewatchingSandler’s old workin the lead-up to the long-awaited legacy sequelHappy Gilmore 2, plenty of previously slept-on releases are finally getting their due.
As a star who’s equally comfortable making silly comedies packed with crude humor likeBilly Madison,Big Daddy, andGrown Ups, Sandler has also revealed himself as a talented dramatic actor in movies likePaul Thomas Anderson’sPunch-Drunk Loveand the Safdie brothers’Uncut Gems. With a varied filmography to his name,Sandler has proven he’s more than just funny.
The Longest Yard Is In Hulu’s Top 10
The 1974 Original Starred Burt Reynolds
The Longest Yard isa 2005 remake of the 1974 sports classic of the same name. WithAdam Sandler as a washed-up quarterback who goes to prisonand assembles a team of convicts to play against the guards in a game of American football, it also features talented comedians like Chris Rock and Tracy Morgan among its cast.
Adjusted for inflation,The Longest Yard’sbox office takings of $191,466,556 would amount to $337,829,446 today.
While it’s been 20 years sinceThe Longest Yardfirst hit theaters, the film is gaining renewed success as a top 10 hit on Hulu. AlthoughThe Longest Yardisn’t usually discussed among Sandler’s very best comedies, it did well at the box office and grossed over $191 million against its $81 million budget (viaBox Office Mojo.)
Why You Should Watch The Longest Yard
The Film Holds Up
The Longest Yardreceived mixed reviews at the time, but looking back on the film today, it’s striking just how well it holds up. An engaging blend of action, comedy, and heart, as well as a talented ensemble cast, pairs laugh-out-loud moments with some exciting football scenes, meaning the film will appeal equally to comedy and sports lovers alike.
It was exciting to see the original movie’s star, Burt Reynolds, return in a new role as Coach Nate Scarborough
Through a classic prison yard underdog story, Sandler brought his movie-star charisma to the role of Paul “Wrecking” Crewe, and it was exciting to see the original movie’s star, Burt Reynolds, return in a new role as Coach Nate Scarborough. With just enough heart to anchor the humor,The Longest Yardtook viewers on a fun-filled emotional journey.
One striking thing about revisitingThe Longest Yardafter all these years is realizing that Sandler is delivering a more grounded performance than what he was previously used to. While he’s still playing to his comedic strengths and embracing his silly side, there’s a depth to his character that helps bridge the gap between his goofier roles and dramatic work.
