Billy Madison
Billy Madison is the 27 year-old son of Bryan Madison, a very rich man who has made his living in the hotel industry. Billy stands to inherit his father's empire, but only if he can make it through all 12 grades, 2 weeks per grade, to prove that he has what it takes to run the family business.
Critics Sentiment
Eric Gordon pulls gun but Danny McGrath shoots him
Billy Madison becomes discouraged and quits school
The film recovers strongly from its midpoint slump, jumping from Billy's discouraging dropout (5.5) to the memorable Danny McGrath phone call (6.8) and building to the climactic decathlon and shooting (8.1).
Billy Madison follows a classic comedy arc that starts strong with memorable absurdist humor, particularly in the elementary school sequences that reviewers consistently praise. The film loses momentum during its middle act when focusing on plot mechanics and villain schemes, but recovers powerfully for a darkly comic climax that critics cite as brilliantly surreal and unpredictable.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 83
Adam Sandler
Billy Madison
Bradley Whitford
Eric Gordon
Josh Mostel
Principal Max Anderson
Bridgette Wilson-Sampras
Veronica Vaughn
Darren McGavin
Brian Madison
Norm Macdonald
Frank
Mark Beltzman
Jack
Larry Hankin
Carl Alphonse
Theresa Merritt
Juanita
Dina Platias
Miss Lippy
Hrant Alianak
Pete
Vincent Marino
Cook
Christopher Kelk
Rollo the Janitor
Marc Donato
Nodding 1st Grader
Keith Cole
Penguin
Chris Mei
Penguin
Conor Devitt
O'Doyle (Grade 1)
Jared Durand
Scotty Logan (Grade 1)
Jessica Nakamura
Tricia Labonte (Grade 1)
Helen Hughes
2nd Grade Teacher
Crew
Write a Review
Rate each story beat:
