Adam Sandler Returns to the Green in Happy Gilmore 2

Adam Sandler reprises his role as the volatile hockey player-turned-golfer in Happy Gilmore 2, a sequel that arrives nearly three decades after the original film established itself as a cultural touchstone. The 1996 movie changed the perception of golf for a generation, transforming it from a staid sport into a chaotic battleground and cementing Sandler’s comedic formula of the lovable, blue-collar man-child. Produced by Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions for Netflix, the film marks the first direct sequel to any of Sandler’s classic 1990s comedies, a notable decision for an actor who, for years, dismissed the idea. The sequel finds its purpose not in simple repetition, but in exploring the character through the lens of aging, fatherhood, and legacy, themes that align with Sandler’s own career evolution into more dramatic roles.

A New Purpose on the Fairway

The film picks up with Happy Gilmore long retired from the professional golf tour. He is now a family man, married to his longtime partner Virginia Venit and father to a daughter, Vienna, as well as four sons who share his affinity for hockey-style aggression. The central conflict arises when Happy must find a way to pay for Vienna’s expensive ballet school tuition. This motivation mirrors the original film’s plot of saving his grandmother’s house but shifts the stakes from honoring the past to securing the future, reflecting his new stage of life. Compelled to return to the sport, Happy discovers the game has evolved. He is rusty and intimidated by a new generation of golfers with superior skills and technology. The raw anger that once fueled his powerful drives is no longer a reliable or effective tool for an older man. His journey becomes an internal one, as he must find a new, more age-appropriate “happy place” to channel his focus.

Happy Gilmore 2

Familiar Faces and Unfinished Business

The film reunites much of the original cast. Julie Bowen returns as Virginia Venit, whose relationship with Happy remains a stable and supportive force in his life. The most anticipated reunion, however, is with Happy’s arch-nemesis, Shooter McGavin, played again by Christopher McDonald. Their iconic rivalry is immediately reignited, with the two confronting each other in settings that range from a golf course to a cemetery, the latter serving as a moment of reflection on their shared history and mortality. The character of Shooter is not merely a retread of his previous villainy; his return incorporates a narrative twist that adds new layers to his motivations after decades of living in the shadow of his defeat. The film also features the return of Ben Stiller as Hal L., the menacing orderly from the first film. No longer terrorizing the elderly, Hal now runs a support group that Happy attends, creating a new dynamic between the two characters. Other familiar faces include Dennis Dugan as former tour commissioner Doug Thompson and Kevin Nealon as the perpetually zen golfer Gary Potter.

A Star-Studded Roster of Newcomers and Cameos

Alongside the returning veterans, Happy Gilmore 2 introduces a large ensemble of new characters and high-profile cameos. Musician Bad Bunny, credited as Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has a significant role as Oscar, Happy’s new and often bewildered caddy. Sandler’s real-life daughter, Sunny Sandler, plays Happy’s daughter, Vienna, making the film’s theme of fatherhood a family affair. The film is also populated with a vast array of figures from the worlds of sports, music, and entertainment. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce appears as a hotel employee in a scene with Bad Bunny. Professional wrestler Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) is cast as one of Happy’s four sons. The authenticity of the golf world is bolstered by an extensive list of professional golfers, including legends like Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, and John Daly, alongside contemporary stars like Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, and Brooks Koepka. The cast is further filled out with appearances by musicians Eminem and Post Malone, as well as actors Benny Safdie, Margaret Qualley, and longtime Sandler collaborator Nick Swardson.

The Team Behind the Sequel

The film is directed by Kyle Newacheck, who previously directed Sandler in the Netflix film Murder Mystery and is known for co-creating the series Workaholics. His involvement ensures a comedic sensibility that is both contemporary and aligned with the Happy Madison production style. The most significant element of creative continuity comes from the screenplay, which was co-written by Adam Sandler and Tim Herlihy. Herlihy, Sandler’s college roommate and longtime writing partner, co-wrote the original Happy Gilmore as well as other foundational films of Sandler’s career. Their collaboration ensures that the sequel’s tone and character voice remain faithful to the original, a project they both consider one of their most personal and cherished works.

A Tribute to a Legend

A poignant undercurrent of the film is its handling of the absence of Carl Weathers, who played Happy’s beloved one-handed mentor, Derick “Chubbs” Peterson. Weathers was slated to have a “massive part” in the sequel before his passing. The original script involved Chubbs appearing to Happy in dreams and introduced a storyline centered on his son, who held Happy responsible for his father’s accidental death. Following Weathers’ death, the script underwent a significant and “painful” rewrite. The antagonistic storyline was removed and replaced with a heartfelt tribute to the character and the actor. Throughout the film, characters make references to Chubbs’ positive impact and legacy. His memory is honored through the introduction of his son, played by comedian Lavell Crawford, who also sports a prosthetic hand and carries on his father’s spirit. The film explicitly acknowledges the character’s passing in scenes that add an elegiac tone to the comedy, transforming a potential subplot about guilt into a sincere homage that adds an unexpected layer of emotional depth to Happy’s comeback story.

Happy Gilmore 2 was released on Netflix on July 25, 2025.