Adam Sandler’s Happy Gilmore 2 teed off recently at Netflix, bringing back the affable hockey player–turned golfer in a new, but somehow familiar, adventure. Revisiting the same wild energy of the original nearly 30 years later, this sequel layers on unexpectedly heartfelt emotion for the fans who’ve grown up.
Having become a single parent, Happy Gilmore seeks to win a golf tournament to support his daughter’s ballet school in Paris. It’s a smart, modern twist on the original plot. Happy’s days of living at Grandma’s house are long gone, but Happy’s scrappy, underdog spirit is still present.
The storyline itself is not revolutionary, but it does give Happy a genuine emotional arc, something the first movie gently overlooked, instead focusing more on comedy and rivals.
This time out, the jokes are still sharp, a blend of pratfalls, yelling matches on the green and all the gleeful absurdity one would expect. But there’s something different in the sequel; moments of genuine emotion peek through the chaos.
We occasionally catch glimpses of moments of Happy grappling with grief and regrets, as well as the unexpected burden of fatherhood. But those softer moments don’t derail the satire; instead, they deepen the character in ways that feel earned.
Cameos give the fairway more life and give the sequel a sense of familiarity and humor. Ben Stiller plays an AA leader whose scathing sarcasm keeps the audience laughing, while Shooter McGavin returns with the same inflated haughtiness that once characterized him. Beyond that, a variety of celebrity appearances spice things up, often as if every actor Sandler knows just decided to show up. While some of the cameos are well-executed and enhance the fun, others feel overly forced, as if the film is attempting to include too many well-known characters at once.
So how does it compare to the 1996 hit? In short, it is not better, it’s different. The original Happy Gilmore was an immediate sensation, a hilarious, jam-packed movie that brought a whole new era to the comedic genre. The sequel relies more on memorable moments from the original film, allowing fans to reminisce about the original. However, it could be seen as relying on the past instead of breaking new ground.
Nevertheless, Happy Gilmore 2 delivers on what fans want: heartfelt humor, laughs and vintage Adam Sandler comedy. Although it’s not a hole-in-one, it’s good enough to finish with a smile. It’s worth a try if you want to have a good time.
Reid Bulman • Sep 18, 2025 at 9:05 am
As Reid Bulman, a pro golfer, reading the review of Happy Gilmore 2, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the sheer absurdity of it all. The first Happy Gilmore was a classic, blending golf with that off-the-wall, unorthodox humor that made it unforgettable. But a sequel? I’m all for a little bit of fun, but they really pushed it this time. Sure, there’s something special about seeing a big-screen legend like Adam Sandler back on the course, swinging with no rules, but as a golfer, I can’t help but roll my eyes at some of the ridiculousness. Some of the stunts? Not even close to what we’d consider “golf.” But hey, if it brings more people to the game, even if it’s for the wrong reasons, I’m not complaining. It’s entertainment, not a tutorial on course etiquette, so I guess we can all just laugh and let the absurdity roll off like a bad putt.