Adam Sandler’s production company Happy Madison is behind a fresh comedy that has quickly risen to the top of Netflix’s streaming charts. The film, titled Roommates, debuted on the platform on April 17, 2026, and has maintained a strong position in viewership rankings since its release.
According to verified sources, Roommates is a 2026 American black comedy directed by Chandler Levack and written by Jimmy Fowlie and Ceara O’Sullivan. The movie stars Sadie Sandler and Chloe East in the lead roles as two college freshmen whose initially promising friendship evolves into a tense rivalry during their time as dormitory roommates.
The film was produced by Happy Madison Productions in collaboration with Range Media Partners and distributed exclusively by Netflix. Principal photography began in June 2025, with filming taking place primarily in New Jersey, along with additional scenes shot in Los Angeles, Barcelona, and New York.
Roommates officially premiered on Netflix on April 17, 2026, and within days of its release, it reached the number one spot on the platform’s Top 10 movies chart in the United States. The film held this position for five consecutive days, indicating strong initial viewer engagement.
Cast and Creative Team Behind the Netflix Release
Sadie Sandler portrays Devon, an introverted college freshman hoping to abandon behind her awkward high school experience when she begins university. Chloe East plays Celeste, her confident and self-assured roommate who initially welcomes Devon’s friendship before their relationship deteriorates.
The supporting cast includes notable actors such as Sarah Sherman, Natasha Lyonne, Nick Kroll, Storm Reid, and Steve Buscemi. Additional ensemble members featured in the film are Megan Thee Stallion, Carol Kane, Janeane Garofalo, Bailee Madison, and Billy Bryk.
Director Chandler Levack, known for her work on I Like Movies, was approached by Adam Sandler to helm the project after he viewed her directorial debut. The screenplay was collaboratively written by SNL alumni Jimmy Fowlie and Ceara O’Sullivan, marking their continued partnership in comedy writing.
Critical Reception and Audience Response
On Rotten Tomatoes, Roommates holds a critics’ score of 67% based on 18 reviews, with the site’s consensus noting the film’s sharp observations about college dynamics despite uneven execution. The audience Popcornmeter score stands at 45%, derived from over 100 user ratings.
Metacritic assigned the film a score of 57 out of 100 based on five critic reviews, indicating mixed or average critical reception. The user score on the platform is 2.8 out of 10, reflecting a more divided response from general viewers compared to professional critics.
The film’s black comedy tone explores themes of friendship, jealousy, and the pressures of college life through a narrative framed by the Dean of Student Life at the fictional Walton University, who recounts the protagonists’ story as a cautionary tale for current students.
Production Details and Filming Locations
Principal photography for Roommates commenced in June 2025 in New Jersey, coinciding with another Happy Madison production, Don’t Say Good Luck. The production utilized various locations to establish the collegiate atmosphere, including campuses and urban settings that reflect the characters’ transitional phase from high school to university life.
Additional filming took place in Los Angeles for interior dormitory scenes, while Barcelona and New York were used for specific sequences that highlight the characters’ aspirations and broader experiences beyond campus life. The varied locations contribute to the film’s visual storytelling, contrasting the confined dorm environment with wider opportunities and distractions.
The movie has a runtime of 107 minutes and was produced with a reported budget of $30 million. Maria Rusche served as cinematographer, with editing handled by Tom Costain and Brian Robinson. The original score was composed by Ryan Holladay and Hays Holladay.
Streaming Availability and Viewer Access
Roommates is currently available for streaming exclusively on Netflix in all regions where the service operates. The film was released directly to the platform without a theatrical window, aligning with Netflix’s strategy of prioritizing original content for its subscriber base.
As part of the Happy Madison catalog on Netflix, Roommates joins other recent collaborations between Adam Sandler’s production company and the streaming service, continuing a partnership that has produced multiple films over recent years.
Viewers interested in watching the film can access it through their Netflix subscription, where This proves categorized under comedy and black comedy genres. The platform recommends similar titles based on viewing history, often suggesting other ensemble comedies or coming-of-age stories with dramatic undertones.
For updates on potential award considerations or future announcements regarding the film’s performance on streaming charts, audiences are encouraged to monitor official Netflix press releases and entertainment industry trackers that report weekly viewership data.
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