Happy Madison Productions, Inc. is an American film and television production company founded in 1999 by Adam Sandler,[1][2][3] which is best known for its comedy films. Happy Madison takes its name from the films Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison, written by Sandler and Tim Herlihy, and distributed by Universal Pictures.
 Logo used since 2005 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | |
| Founded | December 10, 1999 |
| Founder | Adam Sandler |
| Headquarters |
|
Key people |
|
| Parent | Happy Madison, Inc. |
| Divisions | Madison 23 Productions (2007–2009) Scary Madison Productions (2009) |
In addition to various Sandler-produced films, the company has also released films produced by others, such as Steven Brill, Dennis Dugan, Frank Coraci, Fred Wolf, Tom Brady, Peter Segal, Nicholaus Goossen, and Tyler Spindel.
The 1998 films The Waterboy and The Wedding Singer helped jump start Sandler's movie career and production company. He produced The Waterboy and co-wrote the script with Tim Herlihy. The film was extremely profitable, earning over $160 million in the United States alone and made Sandler a successful actor with The Waterboy becoming his second $100 million film in a year, along with The Wedding Singer.
The company's production offices were formerly located in the Judy Garland Building on the Sony Pictures Studios lot in Culver City but the company left after completion of Sandler's final contracted film for the studio, Pixels. Happy Madison, Inc., the parent company of Happy Madison Productions, is run by Adam Sandler's brother Scott, and is located in Manchester, New Hampshire.[4]
In 2002, the company expanded its operations onto television with a pilot commitment at The WB.[5] After fifteen years, head Doug Robinson left the company to start its own at Sony Pictures Television.[6]
The company also had a short-lived subsidiary called Madison 23 Productions, which was aimed at the drama genre. It only produced two films: Reign Over Me and Funny People, both of which starred Sandler. Another subsidiary was Scary Madison Productions, which was aimed at the horror genre and only produced the film The Shortcut.
Filmography
editFilm
editTelevision
editCritical reception
editHappy Madison's films have, for the most part, received overwhelmingly negative reviews, with most criticism targeted towards the crude humor, excessive product placement, celebrity cameos, and a sentimental ending that contradicts the film's mostly mean-spirited tone. Some drama films (Reign Over Me, Funny People, Hustle and You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah) received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, with Sandler's performance garnering critical praise. The company has put out four films considered to be some of the worst ever made, while two other films have received a 0% score from Rotten Tomatoes.[25][26][27][28]
References
edit- ^ "Adam Sandler". Variety. 13 October 2013. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
- ^ "100% Fresh Trailer Teases Adam Sandler's Netflix Variety Special". Screen Rant. 2018-10-16. Archived from the original on 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2021-07-08.
- ^ Locke, Taylor (2019-12-07). "Adam Sandler on being fired from 'Saturday Night Live' in 1995 before achieving massive success". CNBC. Archived from the original on 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2021-07-08.
- ^ "New Hampshire Secretary of State Corporate Information for Happy Madison, Inc". Archived from the original on 2021-03-05. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
- ^ Schneider, Michael (2002-10-04). "Frog leaps on laffer from Sandler shingle". Variety. Retrieved 2023-09-16.
- ^ Otterson, Joe (2017-07-17). "Doug Robinson Leaves Happy Madison for Overall Deal at Sony TV, Launches New Production Company". Variety. Retrieved 2023-09-16.
- ^ "Grown Ups Sequel Planned". ComingSoon.net. 7 December 2011. Archived from the original on 2013-12-30. Retrieved 2011-12-07.
- ^ "Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore Comedy Blended Set For May 23, 2014". ComingSoon.net. April 24, 2013. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
- ^ "Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 Set for April 17, 2015". ComingSoon.net. Archived from the original on 2014-04-07. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
- ^ "David Spade is Back for Joe Dirt 2!". Comingsoon.net. 11 October 2014. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
- ^ "Look out, Adam Sandler! It's Donkey Kong's Space Invading Frogger!". Entertainment Weekly. November 10, 2010. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved July 26, 2012.
- ^ N'Duka, Amanda (3 May 2017). "David Spade, Bridgit Mendler, Nat Faxon, & More Co-Star In 'Who Do You Think Would Win?' For Netflix". Deadline. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
- ^ Vlessing, Etan (10 January 2019). "New David Spade-Starring, Adam Sandler-Produced Netflix Movie Finds Director". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
- ^ "Hubie Halloween (2020)". Screenrant. 25 October 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
- ^ "Adam Sandler's Next Netflix Movie Can Break Happy Madison's Losing Streak". ScreenRant. 2021-05-06. Archived from the original on 2021-05-27. Retrieved 2021-07-08.
- ^ Galuppo, Mia (24 January 2022). "Jodie Turner-Smith, Mark Strong Join Netflix's 'Murder Mystery 2'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 24 January 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
- ^ Mintzer, Jordan (July 7, 2023). "'The Out-Laws' Review: Adam Devine and Pierce Brosnan in an Uninspired Netflix Crime Comedy". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (12 July 2021). "Pierce Brosnan Joins Adam Devine in Netflix's Action-Comedy 'The Out-Laws'; Tyler Spindel To Direct". Deadline. Archived from the original on 31 October 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (July 13, 2022). "Adam Sandler, Idina Menzel & 'SNL's Sarah Sherman Among Cast Set For Netflix's YA Comedy 'You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah'; Happy Madison & Alloy Entertainment Producing". Deadline. Archived from the original on July 13, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
- ^ Moore, Kasey (January 18, 2023). "Netflix Picks Up Adam Sandler Animated Movie 'Leo'; Releases in November 2023". What's on Netflix. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (November 30, 2023). "Amy Schumer To Produce & Star In 'Kinda Pregnant' Comedy For Netflix, Happy Madison". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
- ^ Harrison, Scoop (September 9, 2024). "Happy Gilmore 2 Officially Begins Production, Adam Sandler Reveals". Consequence Film. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 12, 2016). "Drama 'Notorious', Comedy 'Imaginary Mary' Picked Up To Series At ABC". Deadline. Archived from the original on March 1, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (August 7, 2024). "Netflix Unveils Premiere Date, Trailer For Adam Sandler's Comedy Special 'Love You' Directed By Josh Safdie". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
- ^ "The tragedy of Adam Sandler". Salon. 2011-11-14. Archived from the original on 2013-08-21. Retrieved 2013-08-23.
- ^ "Comedy about middle school statutory rape? Does Adam Sandler's That's My Boy go too far?". Fox News. 2012-04-30. Archived from the original on 2012-08-31. Retrieved 2013-12-19.
- ^ "Is Adam Sandler Serious With That's My Boy? | DrJays.com Live | Fashion. Music. Lifestyle". Live.drjays.com. 2012-05-21. Archived from the original on 2013-12-12. Retrieved 2013-12-19.
- ^ "Adam Sandler's new movie That's My Boy exploits child victims of sexual assault. Please boycott the movie. | National Coalition For Men". NCFM. 2 May 2012. Archived from the original on 2013-12-11. Retrieved 2013-12-19.
External links
edit- Happy Madison page on Sandler's website