Little Nicky
Little Nicky is a 2000 American fantasy comedy film directed by Steven Brill and co-written by Brill, Tim Herlihy, and Adam Sandler, who also stars as the titular character, the good-hearted son of Satan sent to Earth to retrieve his evil brothers before they unleash hell on humanity.[1][2] The film follows Nicky, a half-angel, half-demon living in Hell, who embarks on a quest to New York City after his brothers Adrian and Cassius escape and begin collecting souls to force their father, Satan (played by Harvey Keitel), to vacate Hell by sundown on his 10,000th birthday.[1] Accompanied by a talking bulldog named Mr. Beefy, Nicky navigates earthly challenges, falls in love with Valerie (Patricia Arquette), and battles his siblings with supernatural powers, blending slapstick humor, special effects, and cameos from celebrities like Ozzy Osbourne and Quentin Tarantino.[1][3] Produced by Sandler's Happy Madison Productions and distributed by New Line Cinema, Little Nicky features a supporting cast including Rhys Ifans as Adrian, Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr. as Cassius, and cameos from Rodney Dangerfield as Satan's former boss and Dana Carvey as the referee during a infamous basketball scene.[1] With a budget of $85 million, the film grossed $39.5 million in the United States and Canada and $58.3 million worldwide, marking it as a box office disappointment.[4][5] Critically, it received mixed to negative reviews, earning a 21% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes for its uneven tone and reliance on crude humor, though it garnered a 55% audience score, appealing to fans of Sandler's style.[2]Production
Development
The development of Little Nicky originated in the late 1990s as a comedic vehicle for Adam Sandler, blending supernatural themes with humor through the lens of Satan's dysfunctional family. The screenplay was co-written by Tim Herlihy, Sandler's longtime collaborator from films like Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore, along with Sandler himself and director Steven Brill, emphasizing irreverent takes on hellish dynamics and brotherly rivalry.[6][2] Sandler not only starred as the titular character but also executive produced the film via his newly founded Happy Madison Productions, established in 1999 to support his creative projects independently. This marked one of the company's earliest features, co-produced with Robert Simonds' RSC Media, and leveraged Sandler's rising star power following the commercial success of Big Daddy earlier that year. New Line Cinema greenlit the project with a budget of approximately $85 million, reflecting confidence in Sandler's draw despite the film's shift toward effects-heavy fantasy comedy.[7][8] Pre-production advanced swiftly in 1999, with the script finalized that year to align with principal photography starting on November 2 in New York City and Los Angeles. Location scouting focused on New York to juxtapose urban Earth scenes against constructed hellish sets, enhancing the film's thematic contrast between infernal origins and mortal chaos. Casting decisions included Harvey Keitel as Satan, selected for his ability to infuse gravitas into the devilish patriarch role amid the surrounding absurdity.[9][10]Filming
Principal photography for Little Nicky took place from November 2, 1999, to April 5, 2000, under the direction of Steven Brill.[11] The production spanned multiple sites to capture the film's dual settings of Hell and Earth, blending practical location shooting with studio work. Earth-based scenes were primarily filmed in New York City, utilizing iconic urban landmarks to evoke the chaotic human world. Key locations included Grand Central Terminal for transit sequences, Central Park's South End for outdoor moments like Nicky's nap on a rock, a police station at 60 Cleveland Place and Spring Street in Manhattan, and streets such as MacDougal Street, Minetta Lane, 28 East 4th Street, and Lafayette Street for character interactions.[9] Additional New York exteriors, including subway and street scenes, contributed to the film's gritty metropolitan atmosphere. Hell sequences and interior sets were shot on soundstages in Los Angeles, California, taking advantage of the area's production facilities, while a basketball game was filmed over three days at the Walter Pyramid on the Long Beach State University campus in Long Beach, California.[9][11] The film's supernatural elements relied on a mix of practical effects and early 2000s CGI. KNB EFX Group handled special makeup and creature effects, creating prosthetics for demonic characters and transformations, such as Cassius's evolution into the Beast.[12] Rhythm & Hues Studios and VisionArt provided visual effects support, enhancing demons, hellfire, and other otherworldly visuals with digital augmentation to integrate seamlessly with live-action footage.[12] On-set dynamics emphasized improvisation, with the cast—many of whom were Adam Sandler's longtime collaborators from Happy Madison Productions—encouraged to ad-lib dialogue and actions to heighten the comedy's spontaneity. Filming in New York presented logistical challenges, including navigating crowded streets with the bulldog portraying Mr. Beefy, which complicated takes and required careful animal handling.[13] Sandler formed a personal bond with the role's canine co-star, later adopting a similar bulldog puppy named Meatball.[14] Post-production commenced immediately after principal photography wrapped, with editing led by Jeff Gourson and visual effects finalization by the collaborating studios to meet the film's November 10, 2000, release date.[15] The process incorporated the improvised footage and CGI refinements, ensuring the supernatural comedy's tone remained intact.[12]Synopsis and Cast
Plot
In Hell, Satan (Harvey Keitel) has ruled for 10,000 years and announces his intention to retire, selecting one of his three sons as successor based on their ability to corrupt souls on Earth.[3] His eldest sons, the ruthless Adrian (Rhys Ifans) and Cassius (Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr.), escape to New York City, where they possess humans and sow chaos to weaken the barrier between realms and open Hell's gates by midnight, causing Satan to physically deteriorate as the gates freeze and souls cannot enter.[16] The third son, the kind-hearted and clumsy Nicky (Adam Sandler), who is half-angel from his mother's side, is chosen by Satan to retrieve his brothers; Nicky is given a human body and a flask that summons a fiery "hellmobile" from holy water, with a deadline before midnight, after which Hell will freeze over permanently if he fails.[2] Nicky arrives in New York, where he inhabits the body of a deceased college student, befriends a talking bulldog named Mr. Beefy, and enrolls at a local university to blend in while tracking his brothers' demonic influence, which manifests in societal chaos like altered billboards and lowered drinking ages.[3] He develops a romance with Valerie (Patricia Arquette), a compassionate design student he meets at school, but faces interference from Adrian and Cassius, who send demons to hinder him; Nicky gains confidence through battles, including trapping Cassius in his flask after a confrontation at a nightclub.[16] As the deadline approaches, Adrian manipulates events to kidnap Valerie and escalate the chaos, leading to intense demonic skirmishes across the city.[2] The story culminates in Central Park, where Adrian unleashes a horde of demons to harvest souls and open Hell's gates; Nicky harnesses his latent powers, defeats Adrian in a fierce showdown with help from Ozzy Osbourne biting off Adrian's head, rescues Valerie, and returns both brothers to Hell just in time.[16] With the balance restored, Satan retires, and Nicky assumes rule of Hell, embracing his dual heritage of good and evil to maintain equilibrium between realms.[3] The 90-minute film structures its narrative into three acts: an opening setup in Hell establishing the family conflict, a middle act of confrontation and growth on Earth, and a resolution affirming themes of redemption through Nicky's actions.[2]Cast
The principal cast of Little Nicky (2000) is led by Adam Sandler as Nicky, the benevolent youngest son of Satan who possesses supernatural abilities but struggles with his demonic heritage.[17] Patricia Arquette portrays Valerie Veran, Nicky's romantic interest and a design student who becomes entangled in his supernatural conflicts.[18] Harvey Keitel plays Satan, the authoritative ruler of Hell whose tough, no-nonsense demeanor draws from Keitel's established screen persona in gritty roles.[17] The antagonists are embodied by Rhys Ifans as Adrian, Satan's cunning and ambitious eldest son intent on overthrowing his father, and Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr. as Cassius, the brutish second son known as the Beast for his immense strength and ferocity.[19] Supporting roles include Rodney Dangerfield as Lucifer, Satan's father and the creator of Hell, delivering comic timing in his brief but memorable appearance.[20] Quentin Tarantino appears as the Deacon, a celibate and eccentric holy man who detects demonic presences.[18] Henry Winkler cameos as himself, the affable actor caught in a chaotic supernatural mishap.[18] Additional notable supporting players feature frequent Adam Sandler collaborators, reflecting the close-knit "family" dynamic of his production circle. Allen Covert plays Todd, a hapless aspiring actor and Nicky's roommate in New York.[21] Rob Schneider reprises his The Waterboy character as the Townie, a rowdy onlooker at key events.[18] Reese Witherspoon portrays Holly, the angelic mother of Nicky whose serene nature contrasts the film's hellish elements.[22] The film credits approximately 50 actors in total, blending established stars with comedic ensemble players for its supernatural farce.[10]| Actor | Role | Character Description |
|---|---|---|
| Adam Sandler | Nicky | Good-natured son of Satan with emerging demonic powers.[17] |
| Patricia Arquette | Valerie Veran | Resourceful design student drawn into otherworldly events.[18] |
| Harvey Keitel | Satan | Charismatic yet tyrannical lord of the underworld.[17] |
| Rhys Ifans | Adrian | Scheming, power-hungry firstborn demon.[19] |
| Tommy Lister Jr. | Cassius (the Beast) | Towering, violent enforcer among demons.[19] |
| Rodney Dangerfield | Lucifer | Boisterous grandfather and Hell's originator.[20] |
| Quentin Tarantino | Deacon | Paranoid, virgin priest sensitive to evil.[18] |
| Henry Winkler | Himself | Cheerful celebrity victim of demonic pranks.[18] |
| Reese Witherspoon | Holly | Kind-hearted angel and maternal figure.[22] |
| Allen Covert | Todd | Bumbling, unsuccessful performer.[21] |
| [Rob Schneider](/page/Rob Schneider) | The Townie | Boisterous, familiar comic side character.[18] |
Release
Premiere and distribution
Little Nicky had its world premiere on November 2, 2000, at the Mann Village Theatre in Westwood, California, ahead of its wide theatrical release in the United States on November 10, 2000, distributed by New Line Cinema.[23] The film was rolled out internationally starting later that month, with releases in the United Kingdom on November 17, 2000, France on November 22, 2000, and Germany on February 22, 2001, extending into select markets in 2001, such as Sweden on March 23.[23] Dubbed versions were produced for non-English markets, including Spanish and French dubs to accommodate European and Asian audiences.[24][25] The marketing campaign highlighted Adam Sandler's blend of comedy and horror elements, featuring trailers that showcased heavy metal music and cameos from rock stars like Ozzy Osbourne to appeal to fans of nu metal and Sandler's irreverent style.[26] Promotional tie-ins included a soundtrack album with tracks from nu metal bands such as P.O.D. and Drowning Pool, while posters emphasized hellish imagery with Sandler as the devil's son amid flames and demonic motifs. New Line Cinema invested heavily in promotion, reportedly spending significantly on advertising to leverage Sandler's post-Big Daddy popularity.[27] Distribution faced challenges due to the film's PG-13 rating for crude sexual humor, drug references, language, and thematic elements involving hell and violence, which limited broader family appeal but targeted Sandler's core demographic of fans aged 13 to 25, primarily young males.[28][29] Initial box office tracking projected an opening weekend of around $18 million, reflecting expectations for a strong performance in a competitive November slate against films like Charlie's Angels.[30]Box office
Little Nicky was released on November 10, 2000, and grossed $16.1 million in its opening weekend across 2,910 theaters, placing second at the North American box office behind Charlie's Angels in its second week.[31] The film ultimately earned $39.5 million domestically, representing a significant drop from Adam Sandler's previous comedies like Big Daddy, which opened to $41.5 million.[32] Internationally, it added $18.8 million, with the strongest performances in the United Kingdom ($2.0 million), Australia ($1.8 million), and Germany ($1.7 million).[33] The film's worldwide total of $58.3 million fell short of its $85 million production budget, marking a theatrical loss estimated at over $20 million after exhibitor cuts and marketing costs exceeding $35 million.[31] Contributing factors included stiff competition from Charlie's Angels ($25.4 million in its second weekend) and Meet the Parents (holding fourth place), which crowded the fall comedy slate.[34] Poor critical reception and the film's supernatural horror-comedy genre—departing from Sandler's typical grounded humor—resulted in a steep 52% drop in its second weekend to $7.8 million, limiting its box office legs.[27] Sandler's star power drove the solid opening, but audience fatigue with devil-themed films like Bedazzled and the movie's juvenile tone further hampered performance.[35] Theatrical earnings failed to recoup costs, contributing to New Line Cinema's losses that year and impacting Time Warner's overall financial growth.[27] However, ancillary revenues, including $8 million from U.S. TV rights, provided partial recovery, with home video sales likely bolstering long-term profitability in line with Sandler's track record for strong post-theatrical performance.[27]Reception
Critical response
Upon its release, Little Nicky received predominantly negative reviews from critics, who found its humor crude and execution lacking despite an ambitious premise blending supernatural fantasy with comedy. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film earned a 21% approval rating based on 112 reviews, with the site's consensus describing the jokes as "dumb, tasteless, and not that funny" while noting that Adam Sandler's central performance comes across as "grating to watch."[2] On Metacritic, it scored 38 out of 100 based on 29 critic reviews, reflecting "generally unfavorable" reception, with only 24% of reviews positive and the rest mixed or negative.[36] Some reviewers praised Sandler's committed, earnest portrayal of the titular character and the film's energetic visual gags, particularly the chaotic hellish sequences and celebrity cameos that inject bursts of fun. Roger Ebert awarded it 2 out of 4 stars, calling it "the best Sandler movie to date" for its entertaining premise involving Satan's family dynamics and the lively supporting cast, including standout moments from a talking bulldog sidekick.[3] Variety highlighted the "devilishly energetic" pace and abundance of laughs, crediting Sandler's draw for assembling talents like Harvey Keitel, though it noted the gags' tendency to veer into offensiveness across religious, sexual, and other sensitive themes.[37] The negative consensus centered on the film's juvenile humor, uneven tone shifting between slapstick comedy and supernatural horror, and a weak script that fails to cohere its influences, often likened to a derivative mix of Ghostbusters-style antics and darker infernal tropes without the polish of either. Critics frequently lambasted the script's reliance on gross-out jokes and product placements, with the Rotten Tomatoes consensus encapsulating the view that the talented ensemble is wasted on material that feels sloppy and overreaching in its attempts at outrageous satire on hell, sin, and redemption.[2] Variety described it as "disgorging more than enough gags, lines, stunts and visual detritus to offend every imaginable group," pointing to divisive elements in its religious parody and sexist undertones that alienated audiences seeking more sophisticated humor.[37] Despite the critical panning, contemporary audience reception was more favorable, with moviegoers polled by CinemaScore giving the film a "B" grade on an A-to-F scale, suggesting fans appreciated its broad comedic appeal and Sandler's fan-service style even if it lacked depth.[1]Accolades
Little Nicky received predominantly negative recognition through nominations at awards ceremonies focused on poor cinematic achievements, with no major positive accolades. At the 21st Golden Raspberry Awards in 2001, the film earned five nominations, including Worst Picture, Worst Actor for Adam Sandler, and Worst Director for Steven Brill, but won none.[38][39] The 2000 Stinkers Bad Movie Awards highlighted the film's shortcomings with one win and six nominations; it won Most Annoying Fake Accent for Adam Sandler's performance, while receiving nominations for Worst Film, Worst Actor for Sandler, and others such as Worst On-Screen Couple.[36][39] In more mainstream ceremonies, the film garnered a nomination at the 2001 MTV Movie + TV Awards for Best Cameo for Ozzy Osbourne's appearance, but no wins.[39] Overall, these accolades underscored the film's status as a critical and commercial disappointment, with recognition limited to satirical honors for its flaws.Media Adaptations
Home media
The film was released on VHS and DVD on April 24, 2001, by New Line Home Entertainment.[5] The DVD edition, part of the New Line Platinum Series, featured a widescreen presentation in 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, along with special features including a feature-length audio commentary track by Adam Sandler, director Steven Brill, and co-writer Tim Herlihy; a separate cast commentary hosted by Michael McKean with participants such as Jon Lovitz, Kevin Nealon, and Henry Winkler; deleted scenes with optional director commentary; behind-the-scenes featurettes like "Adam Sandler Goes to Hell"; the P.O.D. music video for "School of Hard Knocks"; and theatrical trailers.[40] A Blu-ray edition debuted on August 8, 2023, from Scream Factory, featuring a new 2K scan of the original interpositive for 1080p high-definition video and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound.[41] It retained most of the original DVD extras, including both audio commentaries, deleted and alternate scenes, featurettes, the music video, trailers, and TV spots.[42] Digitally, Little Nicky became available for purchase and rental on iTunes (now Apple TV) around 2010 and remains accessible on platforms such as Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, and Vudu.[43] It streams periodically on Netflix in select regions and other services like Pluto TV.[44][45] No 4K UHD release has been issued as of 2025.[41]Video game
A tie-in video game adaptation of Little Nicky was released exclusively for the Game Boy Color in December 2000, developed by Digital Eclipse and published by Ubisoft.[46][47] The game follows the film's plot, with Nicky tasked by Satan to retrieve the souls of his escaped brothers Adrian and Cassius before they corrupt New York City.[48] Gameplay centers on a side-scrolling action-platformer format, where players control Nicky navigating levels that transition from Hell to urban New York settings. Nicky engages in melee combat against demons, collects souls to power up abilities like fireball attacks and temporary flight, and solves basic puzzles to progress. The structure includes 15 main levels and 5 mini-games, culminating in boss battles against Adrian and Cassius.[47][49] Key features encompass simple 2D graphics with animated sprites depicting Nicky and demonic foes, a password-based save system for resuming progress, and supernatural mechanics such as possession of enemies or environmental interactions near fire sources to boost health. The game received an ESRB rating of Teen for comic mischief, mature sexual themes, and strong language.[48][49][50] Reception was mixed, with praise for its faithful adaptation of the movie's humor and solid audio design including heavy metal tracks, but criticism for imprecise controls, short length, and occasional glitches. IGN awarded it 8 out of 10, calling it a "good one" despite sloppiness, while GameSpot gave it 4 out of 10, highlighting frustrating hit detection and jump mechanics.[51][49] No ports to other consoles or sequels were produced.[47]Soundtrack and Music
Soundtrack album
The soundtrack album for Little Nicky, titled Little Nicky: Music from the Motion Picture, was released on October 31, 2000, by Maverick Records.[52] It features 12 tracks drawn from the nu metal and rock genres, highlighting prominent bands of the era such as P.O.D., Incubus, Deftones, and Linkin Park.[53] Key tracks include "School of Hard Knocks" by P.O.D., "Pardon Me" by Incubus, "Change (In the House of Flies)" by Deftones, "(Rock) Superstar" by Cypress Hill featuring Chino Moreno and Everlast, "Points of Authority" by Linkin Park, "Stupify (Fu's Forbidden Little Nicky Remix)" by Disturbed, and "When Worlds Collide" by Powerman 5000.[54] The full tracklist is as follows:| No. | Title | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | School of Hard Knocks | P.O.D. | 4:04 |
| 2 | Pardon Me | Incubus | 3:45 |
| 3 | Change (In the House of Flies) | Deftones | 4:58 |
| 4 | (Rock) Superstar | Cypress Hill | 4:37 |
| 5 | Natural High | Insolence | 3:20 |
| 6 | Points of Authority | Linkin Park | 3:21 |
| 7 | Stupify (Fu's Forbidden Little Nicky Remix) | Disturbed | 5:08 |
| 8 | Nothing | Ünloco | 2:40 |
| 9 | When Worlds Collide | Powerman 5000 | 2:57 |
| 10 | Cave | Muse | 4:46 |
| 11 | Take a Picture | Filter | 4:22 |
| 12 | Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away) (Acoustic) | Deftones | 4:33 |