I grew up on Adam Sandler’s early chaos — Billy Madison, The Waterboy, and of course, Happy Gilmore. That last one? It hit different. It was loud, angry, stupid in all the best ways, and somehow had a heart. So when Happy Gilmore 2 dropped on Netflix, I didn’t go in hoping for reinvention. I went in hoping for rage-fueled redemption. What I got? Way more heart, enough slapstick to fill a hockey rink, and a surprising punch of emotion.
Rating: (3.0/5)
| Title | Happy Gilmore 2 |
|---|---|
| Genre | Sports Comedy, Drama |
| Release Date | July 18, 2025 |
| Director | Dennis Dugan |
| Cast | Adam Sandler, Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen, Ben Stiller |
| Runtime | 1h 54m |
| Language | English |
| Streaming Platform | Netflix |
The Setup – Where Happy’s Been All These Years
Happy was on top of the golf world. Six championships, married to Virginia, and five kids with varying levels of delinquency. The man was living the dream — until that dream shattered in true Sandler fashion.
One of Happy’s signature cannon-blasted drives accidentally kills Virginia. Yes, it’s dark. But it’s also peak Sandler — mixing cartoon logic with emotional stakes. And just like that, Happy ditches golf, picks up a bottle, and becomes a walking mess.
Watching a grizzled, bearded Sandler slur his way through a grocery job while drinking from produce-shaped flasks is oddly heartbreaking and hilarious. There’s a cucumber flask, a pepper mill flask, and a freaking TV remote flask. Dumb? Yup. Repetitive? Definitely. Funny? Honestly… yeah.
The Plot Of Happy Gilmore 2
His daughter, Vienna, gets into an elite Paris ballet school. It costs a fortune. He’s broke. Cue: “Juke Box Hero” and a training montage. You know the drill. Played by Sunny Sandler (yes, his real daughter), Vienna is the emotional core. It works because you can feel the real bond. When Happy looks at her, it doesn’t feel like a performance — it feels like a dad trying to do right.
The villains this time? A “Maxi Golf League” run by Benny Safdie’s smarmy tech bro. Think: shot clocks, only 7 holes, surgical enhancements for longer swings. It’s absurd. It’s genius. It’s exactly the kind of idiocy this franchise needs.
The Sandler Signature – Comedy That’s Stupid, Smart, and Sad
The flask bit goes on forever. But it swings around to being hilarious again — like a joke that gets so old it becomes funny out of sheer persistence.
Stiller as Hal? Unhinged. Shooter back in the mix? Electric. There are callbacks to Waterboy, cameos from deadpan icons, and even Buscemi peeing in a mailbox. It’s like a Happy Madison greatest hits mixtape.
Sandler still has that primal scream, that clenched-fist comedy. It’s less punchy now, more inward — more frustration than fury. And it works.
The Legacy – Honoring the Old Cast
This film doesn’t just nod to the past. It mourns it. From ghostly references to Chubbs to blink-and-you’ll-miss-it tributes to Frances Bay and Joe Flaherty, it’s a film that knows where it came from.
There’s real grief here. Not just from Happy, but from Sandler himself — a man who’s clearly lost friends over the years and found a way to honor them through comedy.
Shooter’s Back – But the Game Has Changed
Christopher McDonald returns as Shooter McGavin, now with frosted white hair and a grudge bigger than ever. But he’s not the villain — he’s on Happy’s side now.
Shooter joins Happy’s old-school team to take on the flashy new league. It’s hilarious, awkward, and totally satisfying.
Also Read: I Thought This Fantastic Four Reboot Would Flop — But DAMN.
Good & Bad Of Happy Gilmore 2
| What Works | What Falls Flat |
|---|---|
| Emotional depth hidden in dumb jokes | Some jokes feel run into the ground |
| Sandler’s performance (comedy + drama) | A few cameos feel like filler |
| Shooter McGavin’s arc is satisfying | Flashbacks overused in spots |
| Vienna storyline adds heart | The plot is thin if you strip out the laughs |
| Shooter McGavin arc is satisfying | Not super friendly for non-fans |
- Where the Film Shines: It shines in how much it cares. Every stupid joke feels like it’s delivered by someone who loves these characters. That’s rare in sequels.
- Where It Drags a Bit: If you didn’t grow up on Sandler, you might check out halfway through. It’s fan-first. And that’s both its superpower and its Achilles heel.
Directing and Style – Kyle Newacheck Takes the Wheel
- Energy, Cameos, and Chaos: Newacheck keeps the chaos tight. No scene overstays its welcome, even if the story hops all over.
- Homage Without Copy-Paste: It’s not a carbon copy of the original. It just feels like the same deranged family reunion 30 years later.
Is It Just for Fans? Or Can Newbies Jump In?
You could watch this without seeing the first one. But… why would you? It’s loud. It’s dumb. It’s weirdly moving. And yeah, it’s very Sandler. If that’s not your flavor, move along.
Final Verdict Of Happy Gilmore 2
“Happy Gilmore 2” didn’t just make me laugh — it made me feel. It’s got ridiculous sight gags, over-the-top cameos, and a beating heart underneath it all. Is it perfect? Hell no. Is it a worthy sequel? 100%. And for fans like me, that’s more than enough.
FAQs
1. Do I need to watch the first Happy Gilmore to enjoy the sequel?
It helps. The callbacks, cameos, and tone all lean hard on nostalgia.
2. Is Happy Gilmore 2 a movie just for Adam Sandler fans?
Yes. And proudly so. If you love the Sandman, you’re in for a treat.
3. How’s Sunny Sandler in her role?
Surprisingly great. She’s got timing, emotion, and she holds her own next to her dad.
4. What’s the vibe of the Happy Gilmore 2?
Imagine a heartbroken clown smashing golf balls through a midlife crisis. That.
5. Will there be a Happy Gilmore 3?
No word yet — but if this one scores big on Netflix, don’t be shocked.
