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Adam Sandler, Kathy Bates, Henry Winkler, Fairuza Balk, Jerry Reed ... see more see more... , Lawrence Gilliard Jr. , Blake Clark , Rob Schneider , Robert Kokol , Clint Howard , Al Whiting , Paul Wight , Allen Covert , Jonathan Loughran , Todd Holland , Alan Pasqua , Larry Gilliard Jr. , Peter Dante

As with his previous films, comedian Adam Sandler and writing partner Tim Herlihy have conceived a simple premise, character, and title, and peppered their creation with visual sight gags. The story c... read more read more...oncerns Bobby Boucher, a Louisiana-born-and-bred kid living in the swamps with his overbearing, alligator-eating mom (Kathy Bates). Bobby is a water boy for the local college football team, and a damn good one, even good at turning a deaf ear at the ridicule he gets from the players and coach (Jerry Reed). But when Bobby is fired from his job, he is forced to continue his water management skills at the rival college, a losing team with a washed-up coach (Happy Days' "The Fonz," Henry Winkler). It's here that the coach teaches Bobby to channel his anger, and he makes a surprising discovery. The water boy can tackle like no one he's ever seen. Forced to keep his football talents from his mom, Bobby soon joins the college as a student and learns that there's more to life than alligator stew. He even falls for a perky ex-con (Fairuza Balk) who teaches Bobby about the birds and the bees. As Bobby leads his team toward victory, they get an invitation to play in the annual Bourbon bowl against his old college rivals. Bobby must choose between the love of his ailing mother and the glory of the final game -- or maybe there's a way he can get both. ~ Arthur Borman, Rovi

Flixster Users

74% liked it

845,335 ratings

Critics

32% liked it

73 critics

DVD Release Date: March 16, 1999

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Stats: 36,043 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (36,043)


  • April 3, 2012
    Often the funniest aspect of Adam Sandler movies, the biggest joke, is the most irritating as well: that he and his crew are laughing at the audience and the film industry simultaneously. Waterboy is one example of this conceit in spades, and like many of his efforts in this vei... read moren is notable for just how not funny it achieves.
  • November 21, 2011
    One of Sandler's best loved movies of the 90s, this comedy is fun, humourous, and full of life. Of course there are a good number of stupid jokes in it too, but overall it's very funny.
  • September 23, 2011
    THE WATERBOY is a dumb football farce and just another predictable Adam Sandler comedy. It was possible to laugh in some scenes, but this, overall, was not very funny. It stars Adam Sandler as the title role, a 31-year-old named Bobby Boucher with the obnoxious voice of a 10-ye... read morear-old, who has been bringing water to football teams for a lot of his life. He becomes angry when he is insulted early on, and he tackles the man who insulted him quite hard, leading the football team's coach to believe he is fit for the team. The problem is he is true to his "mama", who says he cannot play football and that it is "the devil" (like almost everything else, in her opinion). I would not recommend this is you can stand 90 minutes of asinine, juvenile humor. Otherwise, go ahead--you'll laugh a lot.
  • August 25, 2011
    I don't know what to think about Adam Sandler half the time and although I would say I am most certainly a fan, I found this movie more irritating than amusing. Saying that though, talking like his character in this movie is definitely a must when completely drunk.
  • fb729949618
    August 9, 2011
    fb729949618
    I used to think it was funny, but that's because I was younger when this came out.
  • August 4, 2011
    Adam Sandler is a very stupid guy, because he is funny and chooses to do bad films. After being fired from his job as a waterboy, Bobby Boucher tries getting another job as a waterboy, but learns his anger gives him talents in football. Its a very stupid film, and the plot is b... read moreasically stupidity for almost 2 hours. Adam Sandler tries doing a lisp in the film, and its pretty damn annoying. This was stupid beyond all belief, but id be lying if I said I never laughed at all while watching.
  • July 26, 2011
    By 1998, Adam Sandler became fairly irrelevant. Sandler basically has one trick up his sleeve, and over the course of his career, has managed to turned out a few decent comedies, but nothing really special. The Waterboy is quite possibly one of his worst films. The comedy express... read moreed on screen feels strained and forced. If you're looking for a good comedy, you won't find it here. Sandler has managed to make a few decent films that actually were pretty funny, but The Waterboy is simply a stupid exercise in comedy. I don't see the appeal of The Waterboy , as it is a total waste of film. This is a stupid film that has the potential to irritate the viewer. Sandler has made three funny films over the course of his career: Happy Gilmore, Big Daddy and The Wedding Singer. However this film is terrible. The Waterboy is an unfunny mess that has few funny parts. Like I said, the films brand of comedy feels forced upon the viewer and it feels like there wasn't too much thought put into the script to try and create a very funny and witty film. Adam Sandler is pointless in this film, and if this film is your type of thing, then give it a shot. But be warned, this is one of the worst comedies with Adam Sandler, and saying that, it says something. I'll stick with Happy Gilmore and Big Daddy.
  • June 24, 2011
    Another Adam Sandler classic!
  • January 4, 2011
    Still fun after many viewings...And that's all there is to say
  • November 25, 2010
    Another wildly funny, inappropiate, and perfectly plotted Sandler film. His collection of films from the 90's are all enjoyable, and highly guilty pleasure for any fan of the "cinema." (So pretentious) Love ya Sandler, forever and ever.

Critic Reviews


Glenn Lovell
June 2, 2008
Glenn Lovell, Variety

The formulaic mix of mirth and mayhem is aimed way down the MTV food chain... Full Review

Jeff Millar
July 21, 2005
Jeff Millar, Houston Chronicle

The film is amiably goofy. Full Review

John Haslett Cuff
July 12, 2002
John Haslett Cuff, Globe and Mail

As a satire on the only true religion of the American South -- football -- The Waterboy is delightful. Full Review

Peter Stack
June 18, 2002
Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle

We've got somewhat entertaining trash here. Full Review

Peter Travers
May 11, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Sandler makes the laughs go down easy, even if The Waterboy isn't exactly quality H2O.

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

A character whose manner and voice has the effect of fingernails on a blackboard! Full Review

Julie Hinds
January 1, 2000
Julie Hinds, San Jose Mercury News

You can lead Adam Sandler fans to "The Waterboy," but you can't make them think.

Lisa Schwarzbaum
January 1, 2000
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

Dehydrated! Full Review

Paul Tatara
January 1, 2000
Paul Tatara, CNN.com

As a whole, it's not so much stupid as it is boring. Full Review

Michael Atkinson
January 1, 2000
Michael Atkinson, Mr. Showbiz

The trailer for 'The Waterboy' contains anything and everything from the film that might captivate an audience-the rest is just chafe.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts


    • Bobby Boucher: Mama not a fan of restaurants or of of of me goin to one, but but but if you like some...times on a Sunday afternoon with charcoal bi.. biscuits and a grill.
    • Bobby Boucher: Ma-ma-m-m-mama said.
    • Townie: You can do it. Cut his fucking head off!

The Waterboy : Watch Free on TV


The Waterboy Trivia


  • in waterboy : What did Bobby's mother refer to everything as?  Answer »
  • in what film do the mud dogs win the bourbon bowl?  Answer »
  • Which movie has the tagline: " High-Quality H20 " ?  Answer »
  • Which movie has the tagline: " Instant Hero. Just Add Water " ?  Answer »

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