
School’s Back in Session for a Comedy Classic
MOVIE REVIEW
Billy Madison (4KUHD)
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Genre: Comedy
Year Released: 1995, Kino Lorber 4K 2025
Runtime: 1h 29m
Director(s): Tamra Davis
Writer(s): Tim Herlihy, Adam Sandler
Cast: Adam Sandler, Darren McGavin, Bridgette Wilson-Sampras, Bradley Whitford, Chris Farley, Norm MacDonald, Josh Mostel, Steve Buscemi
Where to Watch: available July 29, 2025, pre-order your copy here: www.kinolorber.com or www.amazon.com
RAVING REVIEW: BILLY MADISON shouldn’t work as well as it does. On paper, it’s a loud, abrasive film built around the antics of a man-child with too much money and too little maturity. But somehow, through a combination of perfect comedic timing, endearing absurdity, and an unforgettable supporting cast, it remains one of the most beloved comedies of the 90s—and arguably the film that made Adam Sandler a household name. He may have had a few memorable moments before this, but this was the film that put him front and center, allowing his unique blend of comedy to shine.
Kino Lorber’s new 4K UHD release gives this cult favorite the premium treatment, upgrading the experience while also offering commentary tracks, outtakes, and over 30 minutes of deleted scenes that diehards will eat up. But beyond the polish, what makes revisiting BILLY MADISON so fun is just how committed the movie is to its nonsense. It’s unapologetically immature, yet somehow still hits the right notes nearly three decades later.
Sandler, playing the titular idiot, essentially created a subgenre of comedy with this role—the goofball trying to do right by the people around him. It's a character he’d refine in later films like HAPPY GILMORE and THE WATERBOY, but here, it’s at its most raw and gleefully unrefined. From flaming dog poop pranks to gibberish-heavy arguments with third graders, BILLY MADISON doesn't aim for sophistication. It aims for laugh-out-loud stupidity—and more often than not, it lands.
What helps elevate the movie beyond one-note schtick is the cast. Darren McGavin brings a refined presence as Billy’s exasperated father. At the same time, Bridgette Wilson manages to ground the story with some emotional balance as Veronica Vaughn, the teacher who inexplicably believes Billy can become a better man. Bradley Whitford plays corporate sleaze to perfection, and Steve Buscemi's now-iconic lipstick scene remains one of the most unexpected and weirdly satisfying punchlines in comedy history (it’s wild how iconic Buscemi is in weird roles.) Chris Farley, though in a relatively small role, is unleashed and unforgettable, and Norm Macdonald delivers exactly the type of deadpan take you’d expect.
Director Tamra Davis deserves more credit than she usually gets for pulling this all together. There’s chaos baked into nearly every scene, but it’s always coherent, always moving forward. Her direction strikes a balance between cartoon-level humor and just enough heart to keep the audience rooting for Billy. It’s not subtle, but it doesn’t need to be. Davis knows what kind of movie she’s making—and makes it well.
There are a few ways BILLY MADISON shows its age. The humor leans heavily on mid-90s standards of what's considered funny—fat jokes, gibberish, and gender stereotypes abound. It also follows a structure that, outside of the novelty of a man revisiting every grade in school, doesn’t offer much in terms of depth. But it never pretends to be anything more than a glorified skit stretched into a feature-length comedy.
One of the biggest surprises in this revisit is how quotable and catchy the dialogue remains. Whether it's the infamous "O'Doyle rules!" chant or the instantly meme-worthy "today, Junior!", BILLY MADISON has etched itself into pop culture in a way few other ‘90s comedies have. And that staying power counts for a lot.
Could it have been more nuanced? Maybe. But then it wouldn’t be BILLY MADISON. The film’s imperfections are part of the charm, and Kino Lorber’s restoration preserves both the flaws and the fun. It’s a pristine, definitive version of a film that probably doesn’t deserve it, but benefits immensely from the care put into this release. This isn’t a movie for everyone. If Sandler’s early-career antics never worked for you, this release won’t change your mind. But for those who laughed back in the day—and still quote “you get no points, and may God have mercy on your soul”—this disc is a must-own.
There’s something oddly comforting about watching Billy stumble through grade school again, failing upward with chaos. He’s the least likely hero imaginable, but in the warped logic of this universe, that’s exactly what makes him so likable. And in a world where comedies rarely take risks like this, it’s worth celebrating a film that commits to every dumb joke with complete conviction. Kino Lorber’s 4K edition is a loving tribute to a comedy that never cared about critical acclaim—it only wanted to make you laugh. Mission accomplished.
Product Extras:
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
5.1 Surround and Lossless 2.0 Audio
Triple-Layered UHD100 Disc
Optional English Subtitles
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)
Outtakes (3:44)
Theatrical Trailer (Newly Mastered in 2K)
5.1 Surround and Lossless 2.0 Audio
Dual-Layered BD50 Disc
Optional English Subtitles
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[photo courtesy of KINO LORBER]
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