50 First Dates

Henry is a habitual charmer who keeps things casual until he meets Lucy, a woman whose short-term memory resets every night. After they hit it off, he discovers that she won't remember him the next day, so he tries new tactics to reconnect each morning. Instead of a typical courtship, Henry constructs routines, records, and small daily surprises to help Lucy recognize him and feel safe. The film tracks their awkward, funny, and sweet attempts to make a relationship work when one partner literally starts over at dawn, focusing on small gestures, stubborn optimism, and the practical realities of caring for someone with memory loss.

Directed by Peter Segal from a screenplay credited to George Wing, the movie was released in 2004 and pairs Adam Sandler with Drew Barrymore in a romantic comedy that mixes broad jokes with sentimental beats.

The film did solid business at the box office, turning into one of Sandler's notable mainstream hits and strengthening his presence in crowd-pleasing romantic comedies during the 2000s.

Over time the premise and Sandler-Barrymore pairing lodged in pop culture, showing up in parodies, late night jokes, and frequent references to the idea of repeating courtship. Supporting players like Rob Schneider added recurring comic bits that audiences continued to quote and imitate, and the movie remains a common example when people talk about films that mix humor with an unusual central concept.

Critics were split, often praising the leads' chemistry while noting tonal swings between slapstick and sincere moments. The movie raises questions about love, responsibility, and how memory shapes identity, while also treating caregiving and family involvement as central. Viewers who enjoy romantic comedies with an emotional hook tend to respond well, especially to scenes that balance humor with the characters learning practical ways to live with a difficult condition.