Happy Gilmore 2 is a 2025 American sports comedy film directed by Kyle Newacheck and produced by Adam Sandler and Tim Herlihy. Serving as a sequel to Happy Gilmore (1996), it stars Sandler alongside returning cast Julie Bowen, Christopher McDonald, and Ben Stiller, with new roles for Benny Safdie and Bad Bunny.
Released on Netflix on July 25, 2025, the film follows Happy Gilmore, now a widowed ex-golfer and alcoholic, who returns to the sport to support his daughter’s dream of studying ballet. Despite mixed reviews, it became Netflix’s biggest U.S. film debut of the year, with over 46 million views in three days.
Plot
Years after his 1996 championship, Happy Gilmore quits golf when a tragic accident during play kills his wife, Virginia. Consumed by guilt and alcoholism, he works at a supermarket while raising his daughter Vienna, who dreams of attending ballet school in Paris.
Happy reluctantly returns to golf when a rival league, Maxi Golf, threatens the sport’s traditions. Facing off against younger players and extreme “power golfers,” he reunites with his old rival Shooter McGavin to defend the Tour. The climactic showdown pits Happy against Maxi Golf’s star Billy Jenkins, where Happy wins with a dramatic putt, securing his daughter’s future and reaffirming his place in golf.
Cast
- Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore
- Julie Bowen as Virginia Gilmore (seen in visions/flashbacks)
- Christopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin
- Benny Safdie as Frank Manatee, CEO of Maxi Golf
- Bad Bunny (Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio) as Oscar Mejías, Happy’s caddie
- Ben Stiller as Hal L., abusive rehab leader
- Sunny Sandler as Vienna Gilmore
- Supporting: John Daly (as himself), Jackie Sandler, Sadie Sandler, Bryson DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, Scottie Scheffler, and cameo appearances from Eminem, Travis Kelce, Post Malone, Kid Cudi, Guy Fieri, and numerous pro golfers.
Production
Adam Sandler teased a sequel in 2022. Inspired by the rise of the LIV Golf league, the script focused on a clash between traditional golf and a rival extreme league. Following Carl Weathers’ death in 2024, his character Chubbs was honored with tributes rather than an active role.
Netflix acquired distribution rights in 2024, replacing Universal Pictures. Filming began in September 2024 in New Jersey and wrapped in December 2024.
Release and Reception
The film premiered at Lincoln Center, New York, on July 21, 2025, before its global release on Netflix. Within three days, it drew 46.7 million views worldwide, topping the platform’s English-language movie charts.
Critical Response
Reception was mixed:
- Rotten Tomatoes: 63% positive (avg. rating 5.2/10)
- Metacritic: Score of 52/100 (“mixed or average”)
Positive reviews praised Sandler’s nostalgic return and the blend of slapstick comedy with heartfelt family drama. Critics like Richard Roeper noted its “stupid energy” as part of its charm.
Negative reviews highlighted repetitive gags, with The Hollywood Reporter calling it “one tired joke after another.”
Legacy
Though critically divided, Happy Gilmore 2 became one of Netflix’s biggest 2025 releases and rekindled enthusiasm for Sandler’s comedic brand. It paid tribute to original cast members and late co-stars, cementing the franchise’s cult legacy in sports comedy.
