Adam Sandler has starred in plenty of comedy classics, and one underrated sports remake is finding renewed success on streaming. While many viewers are excitedly rewatching Sandler’s old work in the lead-up to the long-awaited legacy sequel Happy 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 like Billy Madison, Big Daddy, and Grown Ups, Sandler has also revealed himself as a talented dramatic actor in movies like Paul Thomas Anderson’s Punch-Drunk Love and 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 is a 2005 remake of the 1974 sports classic of the same name. With Adam Sandler as a washed-up quarterback who goes to prison and ᴀssembles 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’s box office takings of $191,466,556 would amount to $337,829,446 today.
While it’s been 20 years since The Longest Yard first hit theaters, the film is gaining renewed success as a top 10 hit on Hulu. Although The Longest Yard isn’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 (via Box Office Mojo.)
Why You Should Watch The Longest Yard
The Film Holds Up
The Longest Yard received 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 Yard took viewers on a fun-filled emotional journey.
One striking thing about revisiting The Longest Yard after 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.
Source: FlixPatrol, Box Office Mojo
