Over six months after its 30th anniversary, Billy Madison—starring Adam Sandler—gets the 4K Ultra HD treatment from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Billy Madison (Adam Sandler) is a dimwitted, carefree 27-year-old who spends his days partying instead of preparing to inherit Madison Hotels, the company founded by his father, Brian Madison (Darren McGavin). When Billy embarrasses Brian during a business dinner, Brian decides to retire and hand the company over to scheming executive Eric Gordon (Bradley Whitford). Billy begs for another chance and agrees to repeat grades 1–12—two weeks per grade—to prove he’s worthy of running the business.

Back in school, Billy initially struggles but grows more mature, winning over his classmates and first-grade teacher Veronica Vaughn (Bridgette Wilson). Eric, threatened by Billy’s progress, blackmails Principal Max Anderson (Josh Mostel) into falsely claiming Billy cheated. Disheartened, Billy drops out, but with encouragement from Veronica and his classmates, he decides to continue.

Max confesses the truth, and Brian reinstates the deal—until Eric objects. Billy proposes an academic decathlon to settle it. Eric loses control during the final event, pulling a gun before being tackled by Max in his old wrestling gear. Eric then tries to hurt Veronica but is stopped by Danny McGrath (Steve Buscemi), a former classmate Billy once bullied. Billy wins and, at graduation, names Carl Alphonse (Larry Hankin) the new head of Madison Hotels, choosing to pursue a teaching career instead.

It had been a long time since I last watched Billy Madison. While the film holds cult comedy status, I have to be honest: much of it hasn’t aged well. What worked for audiences in 1995 feels more questionable in 2025. There’s outdated, problematic language during Billy’s return to elementary school, but even more glaring is the romance between Billy and Veronica. While technically age-appropriate, the dynamic—where Veronica is Billy’s teacher—would today raise serious concerns about power imbalance and could easily be framed as a case of sexual harassment.

Interestingly, Veronica Vaughn might have been a very different character if not for director Tamra Davis. Hired by Universal Pictures to replace Adam Sandler’s first choice, Stephen Kessler, Davis took over just a few days into production. Reflecting on the Billy Madison’s 20th anniversary in 2015, Davis wrote:

“I wanted Bridgette Wilson, who played his teacher and love interest, to be not only beautiful, but smart and able to throw a punch. I tried not to oversexualize her — teachers don’t wear super-short skirts, so I had to change her wardrobe — and she’s not a ditzy character. The role holds up, especially compared to other female film leads from that time.”

Billy Madison also features a handful of Sandler’s SNL castmates, including a brief but memorable cameo from Chris Farley, who was filming Tommy Boy at the time. Casting could have looked very different—Bob Odenkirk was considered for the role of Eric Gordon but was dismissed by the studio, who didn’t see him as a serious actor. Of course, he’d later prove them wrong with Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. Even Philip Seymour Hoffman auditioned for the film and later turned down a role.

Despite its flaws, Billy Madison does attempt to make a point about bullying. Billy himself is bullied—by Eric and again in high school—and this experience shifts his perspective. His decision to apologize to Danny McGrath, a classmate he once tormented, ultimately saves the day in a climactic twist that offers a surprisingly sincere message about accountability and empathy.

There are stronger entries in Adam Sandler’s filmography, especially as he’s grown into more complex and grounded roles. But Billy Madison represents a defining moment in his early career—a loud, chaotic, and often juvenile comedy that helped launch his movie stardom. Billy Madison hasn’t aged particularly well, from its problematic humor to its questionable plot dynamics, but it’s undeniably a product of its time. Watching it today, it’s hard to believe this is the same actor who was later snubbed for his Oscar-worthy performance in Uncut Gems.

Bonus Features

DISC 1 (4KUHD)

• Brand New HDR/Dolby Vision Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative
• NEW Audio Commentary by Author and Filmmaker Bryan Connolly and The Billy Gilmore Podcast Host Wilson Smith
• Audio Commentary by Director Tamra Davis

DISC 2 (BLU-RAY)

• Brand New HD Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative
• NEW Audio Commentary by Author and Filmmaker Bryan Connolly and The Billy Gilmore Podcast Host Wilson Smith
• Audio Commentary by Director Tamra Davis
• Deleted Scenes (32:58)
• Outakes (3:44)
• Theatrical Trailer (Newly Mastered in 2K)

DIRECTOR: Tamra Davis
SCREENWRITERS: Tim Herlihy & Adam Sandler
CAST: Adam Sandler, Bradley Whitford, Josh Mostel, Bridgette Wilson, Norm Macdonald, Mark Beltzman, Larry Hankin, Theresa Merritt, Dina Platias, and Darren McGavin

Universal Pictures released Billy Madison in theaters on February 10, 1995. Grade: 2.5/5

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