The Wedding Singer

Critics Consensus

It's decidedly uneven -- and surprisingly sappy for an early Adam Sandler comedy -- but The Wedding Singer is also sweet, funny, and beguiling.

68%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 63

80%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 746,158

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Movie Info

Mousse up your hair and pull your Missing Persons records out of mothballs for this romantic comedy set in that era of questionable fashion decisions, the '80s. In 1985, Robbie Hart (Adam Sandler) is a vocalist whose rock band stubbornly refuses to get off the ground. In the meantime, he makes a living playing wedding receptions, where his easy charm and ability to schmooze brings him a steady income. Robbie meets Julia Sullivan (Drew Barrymore) when she's working as a waitress at one of his wedding gigs; he immediately takes a shine to her, but since he's engaged, he keeps his distance. Robbie learns that Julia is also engaged; unfortunately, her fiancà (C)e Glen Gulia (Matthew Glave) is an obnoxious, self-obsessed yuppie who is chronically unfaithful to her. When Robbie gets stood up at the altar by his fiancà (C)e, it's a crushing blow to his ego, and he moves from working weddings to bar mitzvahs to avoid the humiliating issue of matrimony, and he considers giving up on music altogether. In time, Robbie realizes that he needs to step in and stop Julia from marrying Glen before the woman he's come to love ruins her life. Adam Sandler's former Saturday Night Live co-stars Kevin Nealon and Jon Lovitz make cameo appearances, as do Steve Buscemi and Billy Idol -- as himself. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (For sex related material and language)
  • Genre:
    Comedy, Drama, Romance
  • Directed By:
    Frank Coraci
  • Written By:
    Tim Herlihy
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    New Line Cinema

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Cast

Adam Sandler
as Robbie Hart
Drew Barrymore
as Julia Sullivan
Christine Taylor
as Holly
Allen Covert
as Sammy
Matthew Glave
as Glen Gulia
Ellen Albertini Dow
as Rosie
Angela Featherstone
as Linda
Alexis Arquette
as George
Christina Pickles
as Angie Sullivan
Jon Lovitz
as Jimmie Moore
Steve Buscemi
as David
Kevin Nealon
as Mr. Simms
Sally Insul
Billy Idol
as Himself
Frank Sivero
as Andy
Jodi Thelen
as Kate
Patrick McTavish
as Tyler
Gemini Barnett
as Petey
Teddy Castellucci
as Robbie Hart Band Member
Randy Razz
as Robbie Hart Band Member
John Vana
as Robbie Hart Band Member
Christopher Alan
Marnie Schneider
as Joyce--Flight Attendant
Carmen Filpi
as Old Man in Bar
Robert Smigel
as Andre
Todd Hurst
as Drunken Teenager
Peter Dante
as David's Friend
Phyllis Alia
as Mrs. Harold Veltri
Paul Thiele
as Mr. Harold Veltri
Jack Nisbet
as Father of Groom
Sally Pierce
as Grandma Molly
Earl Carroll
as Justice of the Peace
Jenna Byrne
as Cindy Castellucci
Jason Cottle
as Scott Castellucci
Mark Lonow
as Father of the Bride
Billy Elmer
Bill Elmer
as Fat Man
Jackie R. Challet
as Sideburns Lady
Jimmy Karz
as Studliest Kid at Bar Mitzvah
Al Hopson
as Grandpa at Bar Mitzvah
Michael D. Shuman
as Bar Mitzvah Boy
Robert Hackl
Steven Brill
as Glenn's Buddy
Tim Herlihy
Angela Payton
as Faye
Mike Thompson
as Member of Jimmy Moore's Band
Michael Jay
as Member of Jimmy Moore's Band
John Sawaski
as Member of Jimmy Moore's Band
Chris Alan
as Member of Jimmy Moore's Band
Kimberly Schwartz
as Member of Jimmy Moore's Band
Shana Moakler
Sanetta Y. Gipson
as Member of Jimmy Moore's Band
Timothy P. Herlihy
as Rudy the Bartender
Matthew Kimble
as Drunk at Bar
Joshua Oppenheimer
Sid Newman
as Frank
Mark Beltzman
as Vegas Air Ticket Agent
Angela Paton
Andrew Shaifer
as Flight Attendant No. 2
Shanna Moakler
as Flight Attendant No. 3
Maree Cheatham
as Nice Lady on Plane
Al Burke
as Large Billy Idol Fan
Bob Hackl
as Member of David's Band
Gabe Veltri
as Member of David's Band
Josh Oppenheimer
as Member of David's Band
Michael Shulman
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News & Interviews for The Wedding Singer

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Critic Reviews for The Wedding Singer

All Critics (63) | Top Critics (14)

  • Supporting players are uniformly strong, and Coraci deserves much credit for exacting just the right degree of outrageousness without spinning into some wild orbit.

    Jun 1, 2008

    Leonard Klady

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • You can't help pulling for the kids.

    Jan 26, 2006 | Full Review…
    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • Finally, an Adam Sandler comedy that you can sit through without wanting to throw a mallet through the screen.

    Jul 12, 2002 | Rating: 2/4

    Liam Lacey

    Globe and Mail
    Top Critic

  • As Robbie Hart, a former lead singer in a rock band reduced to performing at weddings, Sandler goes for more than the easy laughs.

    Jun 18, 2002 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

    Ruthe Stein

    San Francisco Chronicle
    Top Critic

  • At its best, it is a gentle, well-portrayed, feel good film.

    Apr 17, 2001 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Ali Barclay

    BBC.com
    Top Critic

  • A sparkling romantic comedy, the kind of picture that glides by so gracefully and unpretentiously that it's only upon reflection that you realize how much skill, caring and good judgment had to have gone into its making.

    Feb 14, 2001 | Full Review…

    Kevin Thomas

    Los Angeles Times
    Top Critic
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Audience Reviews for The Wedding Singer

  • Sep 12, 2016
    The Wedding Singer is Adam Sandlers greatest film to date. It has comedy and romance but above all, it has heart. Right from the beginning you could tell that this was a special movie.
    Brandon S Super Reviewer
  • Feb 16, 2014
    The Wedding Singer is a hilarious comedy that rocks. The story follows a wedding singer in the '80s who, after being left at the altar, starts to fall for a waitress whose wedding he's helping to plan. Starring Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Christine Taylor, and Steve Buscemi, the cast is especially good and gives excellent performances. The film also does a great job at using the '80s aesthetic, and is full of fun spoofs on the culture. Additionally, the soundtrack is outstanding, featuring a wonderful collection of '80s pop hits that include songs from Billy Idol, Nena, Bruce Springsteen, and The Police. A charming romantic-comedy, The Wedding Singer delivers a lot of laughs.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Apr 13, 2013
    Get some cheese balls, dunk it in cheese whizz, throw sharp cheddar cheese on top and you get "The Wedding Singer". Yup. So cheesy... everything within this movie is a recipe for disaster, yet the romance works -- what the hell? The comedy falls flat almost every single time and Drew Barrymore is one horrible actress, yet at the end of the day, you'll find "The Wedding Singer" somewhat pulling on your heartstrings.
    Albert K Super Reviewer
  • Apr 04, 2013
    It was okay but I am not very much captivated by it. Actually, I was never captivated at all. It was just okay. But I love Adam Sandler's Grow Old With You, perhaps the only brilliant and actually romantic thing about the entire film.
    Maymay A Super Reviewer
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