Movie Review: ‘Happy Gilmore 2’

in Movie, Review

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‘Happy Gilmore 2’ receives 7.5 out of 10 stars.

The long-awaited sequel to 1996’s ‘Happy Gilmore’ entitled ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ which once again stars Adam Sandler as the pro hockey player turned PGA tour golfer, premieres July 25th on Netflix.

The movie also welcomes back original cast members Julie Bowen, Ben Stiller, and Christopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin, as well as new recruits Benny Safdie (‘Oppenheimer’), Bad Bunny (‘Bullet Train’), Margaret Qualley (‘The Substance’), and Haley Joel Osment (‘The Sixth Sense’) and was directed by Kyle Newacheck (‘Murder Mystery’).

Initial Thoughts

Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore in 'Happy Gilmore 2'. Photo: Scott Yamano/Netflix © 2024.

‘Happy Gilmore 2’, the long-awaited sequel to the classic 1996 Adam Sandler film is a funny and satisfying follow up for fans, although it does rely heavy on nostalgia for the original. Sandler successfully returns to one of his most iconic roles, and while the character has grown since the first film, he’s still as funny and unpredictable as ever.

Christopher McDonald also triumphantly returns as Happy’s rival, Shooter McGavin, and his onscreen chemistry with Sandler is one of the highlights of the movie. The story is strong and mostly works but takes a little time to get going and drags a bit in the third act, and when focusing too much on subplots that don’t affect the main story. But fans of the original or Sandler’s work in general will be very “Happy” with the new sequel for the most part.

Story and Direction

(L to R) Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore and Rory McIlroy as himself on the set of 'Happy Gilmore 2'. Photo: Scott Yamano/Netflix © 2025.

The film begins by catching us up on Happy Gilmore’s (Adam Sandler) life since the original movie, and we learn that he went on to win the PGA tour, marry Virginia (Julie Bowen), have five children, and become a golf legend. But after Happy experiences a personal tragedy in his own life, he loses his grandmother’s house, turns to alcohol, quits golf forever, and must raise his children on his own.

Now, 30 years later, his four sons are all grown up (and have their father’s anger issues), and Happy is living with his teenage daughter Vienna (Sunny Sandler), who wants to go to an expensive dance school in Paris that he can’t afford. Gilmore is soon approached by a billionaire (Benny Safdie) who wants to start an extreme golfing league to rival the PGA and wants to recruit Happy. While Happy refuses, it does inspire him to return to professional golfing, but he soon finds that he is a bit rusty on the course.

Eventually, along with his new caddy Oscar (Bad Bunny), Happy joins a tournament between the PGA and the extreme golfing league, where the losing league will be disbanded forever. To make matters worse, while Happy is dealing with his own alcoholism and his new extreme golfing rival played by Haley Joel Osment, his old rival, Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald) returns from a long time away and wants his revenge. Now, Happy must fight his own demons, new rivals and old, and win the tournament to save golf and earn enough money to get his grandmother’s house back and send his daughter to dance school.

‘Happy Gilmore 2’ director Kyle Newacheck.

The script by Tim Herlihy and Sandler works exceedingly well, even though it relies heavily on nostalgia for the first movie. The script allows a lot of growth for the title character, while never losing the anger and intensity Happy had in the original. This is an older and slightly wiser version of the character, and it fits Sandler well. The rival extreme golf league plot was very clever, even if it loses its some of its steam towards the end, but the sub-plot featuring Ben Stiller didn’t work for me at all.

Kyle Newcheck who worked with Sandler on ‘Murder Mystery’ takes over director duties from Dennis Dugan, who still returns as Doug Thompson from the first movie. Newcheck does a very good job with the pacing, direction and style of the movie. While it does feel like a proper sequel, it also has a very modern vibe with great music that works well in 2025.

There are many great cameos and Easter eggs from the first movie, and they all work, even if Newcheck might go to the well one too many times. The director also gets very good performances out of non-actors like golfers John Daly and Rory McIlroy, Football player Travis Kelce, and sportscaster Stephen A. Smith, and even incorporates social media personalities like Alix Earle.

Cast and Performances

(L to R) Christopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin and Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore in 'Happy Gilmore 2'. Photo: Scott Yamano/Netflix © 2024.

In recent years Adam Sandler has given some very good dramatic performances in films like ‘Uncut Gems’, ‘Hustle’, and ‘Spaceman’, but returns to comedic form in ‘Happy Gilmore 2’. In fact, I would go as far to say that Sandler’s dramatic work has made his comedic skills even stronger. Sandler is terrific as the older, down on his luck Happy, and is very believable in both the comedic and dramatic moments of the film.

But it wouldn’t be a “Happy Gilmore’ movie without Shooter McGavin played by the great Christopher McDonald. This is easily the actor’s signature role, and he is a force of nature in this sequel. He has fantastic chemistry with Sandler and seeing them together is one of the strongest elements of the film. I won’t say too much about his storyline, but it is very believable to the character from the first film and very funny.

Julie Bowen also returns as Happy’s now wife Virginia, and without revealing spoilers, I’ll just say that it’s unfortunate that the way the storyline unfolds that it does not give the actress more to do. Ben Stiller also returns as Hal L. and has a bigger role than in the first film. But his character is not my favorite, and I found his story arc to be unnecessary.

Ben Stiller as Hal L. in 'Happy Gilmore 2'. Photo: Scott Yamano/Netflix © 2024.

Joining the cast is musician Bad Bunny, who gives a shockingly funny performance as Happy’s new caddy Oscar and has a very relaxed and fun chemistry with Sandler. Actress Sunny Sandler, Adam’s daughter, also joins the cast as Happy’s daughter, Vienna, and gives a sweet and emotional performance.

Finally, I was very impressed with the performances from non-actors like golfer John Daly, who plays a version of himself living in Happy’s garage. There are also a few unforgettable cameos, which we won’t spoil here.

Final Thoughts

Christopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin in 'Happy Gilmore 2'. Photo: Scott Yamano/Netflix © 2024.

As far as legacy sequels go, especially with comedies, ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ is a very funny and compelling film. Adam Sandler brings energy, passion, emotion and a lot of humor to his character, and Christopher McDonald is fantastic as Shooter, and it’s a joy to see the two actors together again. While the movie does lean heavy on your nostalgia for the original, it still feels fresh and like a reunion with some old friends.

What’s the plot of ‘Happy Gilmore 2’?

Thirty years after winning his first Tour Championship, retired golfer Happy Gilmore returns to the sport to pay for his daughter Vienna’s ballet school.

Who is in the cast of ‘Happy Gilmore 2’?

Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore

Julie Bowen as Virginia Venit

Christopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin

Bad Bunny as Oscar

Ben Stiller as Hal L.

Dennis Dugan as Doug Thompson

Kevin Nealon as Gary Potter

Sunny Sandler as Vienna Gilmore

Kym Whitley as Bessie

(L to R) Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore and John Daly as Himself in ‘Happy Gilmore 2’. Photo: Scott Yamano/Netflix © 2025.

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