Adam Sandler’s New Netflix Movie Is Building Real Oscar Momentum

Adam Sandler getting real awards heat again? Yep. This time it is for a Netflix movie called 'Jay Kelly', and the early chatter says he might actually sneak into the Oscars race.

What 'Jay Kelly' is and who is playing who

The film is directed by Noah Baumbach and is named after George Clooney's character, a Hollywood A-lister called Jay Kelly. Sandler plays his manager. So: Clooney is the star (in the movie and as a character), Sandler is the guy keeping the machine running. It hit Netflix on December 5, 2025.

The reviews: mixed movie, strong Sandler

Overall reaction to the film itself has been mixed, but Sandler keeps popping up as the standout. Critics have also zeroed in on the Clooney/Sandler dynamic as the best part of the whole thing.

'Simply terrific.'

That is John Urbancich at JMuvies on Sandler. Matt Goldberg at Commentary Track went even bigger, calling it an outstanding performance. Not bad for a movie that is otherwise splitting people.

Where the awards buzz stands

• The film itself did not get a Golden Globe nomination, but both Adam Sandler and George Clooney did.
• Sandler is up for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture, alongside names like Benicio Del Toro, Jacob Elordi, and Paul Mescal, among others.
• Over at Gold Derby (the site that tracks and predicts awards races), Sandler currently sits sixth in the odds for an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
• He has never been nominated for an Academy Award. A lot of folks thought he would break through for 'Uncut Gems' in 2019, but the nomination never happened.

Bottom line: the movie might be divisive, but Sandler is getting the kind of attention that matters. If he is going to finally score that first Oscar nomination, this might be the one that pushes him over the line.

'Jay Kelly' is streaming on Netflix now.