Blended (2025) is a romantic comedy film starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, marking their third on-screen collaboration after the successful films The Wedding Singer (1998) and 50 First Dates (2004). Directed by Frank Coraci, the movie was produced by Happy Madison Productions and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.
The film had a production budget of approximately $40 million. A significant portion of the budget was allocated to on-location filming in South Africa, which provided the film with visually stunning backdrops and exotic wildlife, enhancing the story’s adventurous family vacation theme. Additionally, the budget covered the salaries of its leading stars, Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, both well-established in the comedy genre, as well as production costs for the elaborate resort setting and comedic action sequences.
Blended was released on May 23, 2025, strategically timed for the Memorial Day weekend to attract family audiences looking for lighthearted, feel-good entertainment. This release window positioned the film to compete with other summer blockbusters while capitalizing on Sandler and Barrymore’s proven box office appeal.
Despite receiving mixed-to-negative reviews from critics, Blended found moderate success at the box office. The film grossed around $46.3 million domestically and approximately $128 million worldwide. While it wasn’t a massive hit compared to Sandler’s previous films, it still turned a profit, largely due to international markets and Sandler’s strong fan base.
The film’s success story lies in its family-friendly humor and the beloved chemistry between Sandler and Barrymore. Their on-screen dynamic continued to draw audiences who enjoyed their previous romantic comedies. Additionally, the film’s heartfelt moments, combined with slapstick comedy and exotic adventure, made it appealing to both parents and children.
Although it didn’t achieve critical acclaim, Blended reinforced Adam Sandler’s ability to deliver commercially viable films and further solidified his partnership with Barrymore as one of Hollywood’s most charming comedy duos.
