The Waterboy

1998, Comedy, 1h 28m

76 Reviews 250,000+ Ratings

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critics consensus

This is an insult to its genre with low humor and cheap gags. Read critic reviews

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The Waterboy Photos

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Movie Info

Raised by his overprotective mother, Helen (Kathy Bates), Bobby Boucher Jr. (Adam Sandler) is the water boy for a successful college football team coached by Red Beaulieu (Jerry Reed). When Beaulieu fires Bobby, he takes up the same position for a losing rival team, led by despairing Coach Klein (Henry Winkler). After witnessing Bobby beat up a player who teased him too much, Klein adds him to the roster as a linebacker. Soon, Klein's players are championship contenders.

Cast & Crew

Adam Sandler
Bobby Boucher
Kathy Bates
Helen 'Mama' Boucher
Henry Winkler
Coach Klein
Fairuza Balk
Vicki Vallencourt
Jerry Reed
Coach Red Beaulieu
Lawrence Gilliard Jr.
Derek Wallace
Blake Clark
Farmer Fran
Rob Schneider
Townie
Robert Kokol
Professor
Clint Howard
Paco
Al Whiting
Casey Bugge
Frank Coraci
Director
Tim Herlihy
Writer
Adam Sandler
Writer
Phyllis Alia
Associate Producer
Jack Giarraputo
Producer
Michelle Holdsworth
Associate Producer
Adam Sandler
Executive Producer
Ira Shuman
Co-Producer
Robert Simonds
Producer
Rita Smith
Associate Producer
John Fogerty
Original Music
Allen Pasqua
Writer
John Mellencamp
Non-Original Music
Jim Morrison
Non-Original Music
Steven Bernstein
Cinematographer
Tom Lewis
Film Editor
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Critic Reviews for The Waterboy

All Critics (76) | Top Critics (18) | Fresh (26) | Rotten (50)

View All Critic Reviews (76)

Audience Reviews for The Waterboy

  • Oct 07, 2013
    [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon13.gif[/img]
    Directors C Super Reviewer
  • Jan 03, 2013
    Adam Sandler's first real misstep, "The Waterboy" is dull and incompetent and just not real good. The jokes can work sometimes (which is something that I didn't expect), but they fall flat more often than not. The storytelling is about as uninspired as it gets, it's poorly put-together and most of the actors speak with outrageously annoying accents. In the end, "The Waterboy" is more harmless than it is downright awful, but it can be pretty painful to watch at times.
    Stephen E Super Reviewer
  • Dec 27, 2012
    Likely the greatest of the Adam Sandler movies, the Waterboy benefits from a creative storyline and a fabulous supporting cast. Sandler is not painting by numbers and the result is good entertainment.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Dec 22, 2012
    "The Waterboy" was one of those movies I saw once when I was much younger and went many years thinking it was hilarious. That illusion was shattered when I finally watched it again and couldn't even force a smile in the first 30 minutes. I suppose the premise of a film making a mockery of a mental impairment wears off with age. Truly abysmal.
    Tom R Super Reviewer
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