Adam Sandler’s production company, Happy Madison Productions, released a holiday-themed animated film in the early 2000s, and after it bombed, it would be two decades before they worked on another animated project.Happy Madison Productions was founded by Sandler in December 1999,taking its name from two of the actor’s most popular movies he co-wrote with Tim Herlihy —Happy GilmoreandBilly Madison. Since then, the company has produced over 50 films, mostly comedy live-action projects. However, Happy Madison Productions has also released two animated movies, and they couldn’t be more different.
As of the writing of this article, Happy Madison Productions officially has two films in the works —Happy Gilmore 2(aHappy Gilmoresequel featuring the returns of Sandler, Julie Bowen, and Christopher McDonald, perNetflix by Tudum) andKinda Pregnant(a comedy starring Amy Schumer, Jillian Bell, Will Forte, and Damon Wayans Jr.).
Out of Happy Madison Productions' 50-plus movies, some of its most notable stories includeMr. Deeds,Anger Management,50 First Dates,Click,Grown-Ups,Murder Mystery, and more. Basically, the company’s standout films are alsoSandler’s best movies. Unfortunately, not all of them could be box office successes or receive positive reviews from critics and audiences alike.One of the Happy Madison Productions films that performed terribly in both regards was an animated flickthat seemingly scared the company from making another of its kind for over 20 years.
Eight Crazy Nights Was A Box Office Dud In 2002
The Adult-Animated Hanukkah Film Was Also A Failure Among Critics
Happy Madison Productions and Adam Sandler made their first animated movie in 2002, and it was an epic failure.Eight Crazy Nightsstars Sandler as Davey Stone, a Jewish man (and a curmudgeon)who gets into trouble with the law during the holidays in his small hometown. To avoid prison time, Davey agrees to do community service for Whitey Duvall, an older man who volunteers as a referee for the town’s youth basketball league and has a passion for the holidays. ThroughoutEight Crazy Nights, Whitey works hard to change Davey’s perspective on his town, Hanukkah, and life in general.
Eight Crazy Nights' reception was a surprise to many, though. It came towards the end of Sandler’s most prolific period as a filmmaker, as the 90s were full of hits for the actor.
Unfortunately,Eight Crazy Nightsonly grossed $23.8 million at the box officeagainst a budget of $34 million, and critics gave it poor reviews. OnRotten Tomatoes,Sandler’s infamous holiday bombhas a Tomatometer score of 13 percent. Meanwhile, its Audience Score is 50 percent.
Surprisingly, Adam Sandler’s Only Oscar-Nominated Movie Is This Film With 34% On RT
Adam Sandler isn’t an actor viewers would associate with the Oscars, and surprisingly, his only Oscar-nominated movie is one of his worst.
Many criticized the film’s humor, unlikable protagonist, story, and more, resulting in one of the worst-received movies of Sandler’s career.Eight Crazy Nights' reception was a surprise to many, though. It came towards the end of Sandler’s most prolific period as a filmmaker, as the 90s were full of hits for the actor. So,Sandler’s moviebombing was certainly a shock, andit made Happy Madison Productions hesitant to release another animated project for over 20 years.
It Took Over Twenty Years For Happy Madison To Produce Another Animated Film
Netflix Released Leo In 2023
Finally, 21 years after the release ofEight Crazy Nights, Happy Madison Productions developed another animated movie.Leo, a Netflix musical comedy, premiered in 2023, and it certainly redeemed the production company concerning its ability to make quality (and well-received) animated projects.Sandler’s hit Netflix movieearned an 84 percent Tomatometer score onRotten Tomatoes. Audiences also evidently lovedLeo, asthe film’s Audience Score sits at an impressive 90 percent.
Leois quite the comeback for Happy Madison Productions afterEight Crazy Nights(although it took over two decades). It certainly helps that the two movies couldn’t be more different. WhereasEight Crazy Nightsis geared toward adults and has a cynical tone,Leois suitable for kids and adults and is heartwarming.The films' animation styles also differ.Eight Crazy Nightsuses 2D animation, whileLeofeatures CGI animation, making the latter movie much more visually appealing. Ultimately,Sandler’s animated Netflix comedy was so successful that it’s getting a sequel, which is quite telling when comparing it toEight Crazy Nights' reception.
Adam Sandler Was No Stranger To Animation
Sandler Has Starred In Other Animated Projects Outside Happy Madison
Even though it took 21 years for Happy Madison Productions to release its second animated movie, it didn’t take that long for Adam Sandler to return to the medium. Ten years afterEight Crazy Nights bombed,Sandler voiced the lead character in Sony’sHotel Transylvania.He reprised the role in its two sequels —Hotel Transylvania 2andHotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation— with each installment inSandler’sHotel Transylvaniafranchise performing betterthan the last at the box office.
$23.8 million
13%
Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation
$358.4 million
45%
$474.8 million
57%
$528.6 million
62%
N/A (released immediately on Netflix)
84%
So,Sandler has starred in five animated movies in his career.While his first one,Eight Crazy Nights, performed the worst, the actor’s latest animated project,Leo, was one of his most well-received films. PerhapsLeo’s success will persuadeAdam Sandlerand Happy Madison Productions to continue releasing animated movies.
