Review: Happy Gilmore 2 - Is this sequel worth it?

Happy Gilmore 2 is an American film that premiered on July 25, 2025, released by Netflix. A sequel to the 1996 movie, it was directed by Kyle Newacheck and written by Adam Sandler and Tim Herlihy.

Starring Adam Sandler (Happy Gilmore), Christopher McDonald (Shooter McGavin), Julie Bowen (Virginia Venit), Ben Stiller (Hal L.), and Bad Bunny (Oscar Mejías).

Three decades after becoming a golf legend, Happy Gilmore is now a widower with five kids, drowning in debt and alcoholism. To pay for his daughter Vienna’s ballet school, he returns to compete in a new and extravagant tournament: the Maxi Golf.

To save his family and himself, Happy teams up with his old rival, Shooter McGavin. Together, they must stop tycoon Frank Manatee and restore honor to the game of golf. The film blends comedy and nostalgia with a story of resilience and redemption.

Official Trailer

The film is a comedy full of iconic moments, including the famous fight with host Bob Barker and Happy’s unique swing technique. Happy Gilmore became a commercial hit and one of Adam Sandler’s most acclaimed and memorable works, known for its irreverent humor and fusion of hockey and golf.

Synopsis: Happy Gilmore wants to be a professional hockey player, but discovers he has a unique talent for golf. The loudmouthed and satirical athlete ends up earning enough money to help his grandmother, who’s about to lose her house due to unpaid taxes. The problem is, this crazy guy becomes an unlikely hero for the sport... and much to the dismay of the prim and proper golf community.

Cast: Adam Sandler (Happy Gilmore), Christopher McDonald (Shooter McGavin), Julie Bowen (Virginia Venit), Carl Weathers (Chubbs Peterson), Frances Bay (Grandma Gilmore), and Ben Stiller (Hal L.).

For those who grew up watching the 1996 film, the sequel is pure nostalgia. It brings back the spirit of Adam Sandler’s ‘90s comedies, with irreverent humor, a big-hearted protagonist, and the classic rivalry between Happy and Shooter McGavin.

Happy’s story, now a widower battling alcoholism, is one of redemption. He returns to golf not just to compete, but to save his family and redeem himself. His journey to reconnect with his kids and face his emotional demons adds depth to the comedy, making it a film with more heart than most comedies.

The rivalry between Happy and Shooter McGavin is the heart of the original, and the sequel doesn’t abandon it. The film plays with the idea of these two enemies joining forces for a greater good, creating a comedic dynamic. Seeing these two iconic characters interact again (this time under entirely different circumstances) is a treat!

The sequel brings back characters and jokes from the original, like coach Chubbs Peterson and the references to the "you can do it!" guy. The many cameos make the movie a fun and surprising experience.

Cameos

The film features a long list of professional golfers and other sports stars playing themselves.

John Daly: The legendary golfer appears living in Happy’s garage and helps him train.

Travis Kelce: NFL star plays a waiter.

Lee Trevino, Fred Couples, Jack Nicklaus, Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, and Collin Morikawa: Pro golfers from both past and present play key roles, especially in the film’s climax.

Boban Marjanović: The basketball player appears as Drago Larson, son of Mr. Larson from the original movie.

Eminem: The rapper plays Donald Floyd Jr., son of the guy who bullied Happy in the first film.

Post Malone: Appears as DJ Omar Gosh, one of the tournament commentators.

Kid Cudi: The rapper and actor makes a cameo as an FBI agent.

Bad Bunny: The Puerto Rican singer has a prominent role as Oscar, Happy’s new caddie.

Benny Safdie: The filmmaker and actor plays Frank Manatee, the tycoon behind the new golf league.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman: The pro wrestling star known as MJF plays Gordie, Happy’s oldest son.

Rob Schneider: Returns in a hilarious appearance as the iconic “You can do it!” character.

Steve Buscemi: Appears as Happy’s creepy neighbor.

Critics praised Adam Sandler’s ability to return to the character in a nostalgic and authentic way, even 29 years later. Considered a “fan-service party” full of references, cameos, and returning iconic characters, it appealed to most critics who are fans of the first film.

Rotten Tomatoes: 62% approval from 101 critic reviews and 68% approval from over 2,500 audience reviews.

IMDB: 6.2/10 from 66,000 ratings.

Letterboxd: 2.8/5 stars from 390,000 ratings.

Happy Gilmore 2 stays true to the original while evolving the characters' stories, offering a new chapter to one of Sandler’s most beloved comedies.

If you’re a fan of him and his classic comedies, this sequel is a great chance to dive back into that world. See you next time!