Grown Ups (film series)
Comedy series about childhood friends reuniting decades later.
Grown Ups is a comedy film series that began with the 2010 American film directed by Dennis Dugan and written by Adam Sandler and Fred Wolf. The series follows five lifelong friends who reunite decades after winning a junior high basketball championship in 1978. Produced by Sandler's Happy Madison Productions in collaboration with Relativity Media, the first film was released by Columbia Pictures on June 25, 2010, and despite negative reviews, it became the highest-grossing Happy Madison film. A sequel, Grown Ups 2, was released in 2013, and a third film was in development as of 2026.
- first_release
- June 25, 2010
- director
- Dennis Dugan
- writers
- Adam Sandler, Fred Wolf
- production_company
- Happy Madison Productions, Relativity Media
- distributor
- Columbia Pictures
- box_office_first_film
- $272.2 million
- budget_first_film
- $75 million
Lore & Background
The series originated from a concept that originally considered Chris Farley before his death in 1997. The main cast includes Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, and Rob Schneider, many of whom met as cast members of Saturday Night Live (though Kevin James was never on the show). The first film's plot centers on five friends who reunite for a Fourth of July weekend after their former coach dies. Filming took place in Essex County, Massachusetts, in August 2009, using Chebacco Lake and Water Wizz as locations. The sequel, Grown Ups 2, released in 2013, brought back most of the main cast including Rob Schneider, and added new cast members including Andy Samberg and Taylor Lautner.
Reader's Guide
The Grown Ups film series is significant primarily for its commercial success despite critical panning. The first film grossed $272.2 million worldwide against a $75 million budget, becoming Adam Sandler's highest-grossing film worldwide at the time. It holds a 10% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 30, indicating generally unfavorable reviews. Critics criticized its scattershot, lowbrow humor and flat direction, though some noted it as 'crude and decent-hearted.' The film won an MTV Movie Award for Best Line from a Movie for 'I want to get chocolate wasted!' Rob Schneider was nominated for a Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actor but lost. The series' legacy lies in its demonstration of star power and audience appeal overriding critical reception, and it remains a benchmark for Happy Madison Productions' output.
Did You Know?
- The first film was originally conceived with Chris Farley in mind before his death in 1997.
- Adam Sandler bought brand-new Maserati sports cars for his four co-stars after the film's box office success.
- The film won the 2011 MTV Movie Award for Best Line from a Movie for the line 'I want to get chocolate wasted!'
- Water Wizz, a real water park, was used as the filming location for the water park scene.
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