50 First Dates
Columbia Pictures | Release Date: February 13, 2004 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
48
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 38 Critic Reviews
Positive:
14
Mixed:
18
Negative:
6
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
PremiereSara Brady
The film feels like a natural successor to "The Wedding Singer's" strange blend of humor and humanity, a gently silly comedy that's actually romantic without making anyone sick in the process. And that just might be a first. Read full review
80
Film ThreatKevin Carr
As corny as it is, there’s a lot of heart to 50 First Dates. But this happens more in spite of Adam Sandler than because of him. The heart comes from Drew Barrymore, really, and some of the supporting cast. Read full review
80
EmpireSimon Braund
Charming and effective feel-good fare. Read full review
75
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
As a comedy, 50 First Dates is standard Sandler, but as a love story it left me pleasantly buzzed, if not quite punch-drunk. Read full review
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
The movie doesn't have the complexity and depth of "Groundhog Day" (which I recently saw described as "the most spiritual film of our time"), but as entertainment it's ingratiating and lovable. Read full review
75
Baltimore SunChris Kaltenbach
Funny, sweet and only mildly offensive. Read full review
75
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
Perhaps the biggest surprise of all is that the film doesn't resort to an easy cheat at the end. It plays things straight, and still manages to satisfy, making this one of Sandler's most appealing outings to date. Read full review
70
Washington PostMichael O'Sullivan
A chick flick for guys, with a pH balance in perfect equilibrium between the crass and the sweet. Read full review
70
The New York TimesDana Stevens
The unlikely sweetness of the story carries the day. What is most astonishing is the confidence with which the filmmakers push their premise to its logical conclusion, turning an ending that could have been either laughable or appalling into something so effortlessly heartfelt as to be nearly sublime. Read full review
70
SlateDavid Edelstein
Wing and director Peter Segal and Sandler and Barrymore have built a comedy around the thrill of first attraction, the sadness that comes from knowing it can't last, and the challenge of finding something in the heart to hang onto. Read full review
63
Charlotte ObserverLawrence Toppman
For all the irrelevant silliness, though, the movie never loses sight of its romantic center, and the script doesn't cop out with phony miracles or sudden changes of direction. Read full review
63
Philadelphia InquirerCarrie Rickey
I don't think 50 First Dates is a great movie, or a particularly funny one, but I admired its romanticism and its gentle plea for the acceptance of difference. Of how many romantic comedies can you say they are sweet and disturbing? Read full review
63
Boston GlobeTy Burr
The plot -- it's inspired and ridiculous at the same time -- is best described as "Groundhog Day" meets "Memento." Read full review
63
New York Daily NewsJami Bernard
A terrible movie by all reasonable standards -- yet it leaves a sweet taste. Read full review
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