Happy Gilmore 2 (2025): What Fans Need to Know

Nearly 30 years after Adam Sandler first swung a hockey stick onto the course, his iconic character Happy Gilmore makes a triumphant return in Happy Gilmore 2, streaming exclusively on Netflix starting July 25, 2025

What Is Happening in the Sequel?

Plot Overview

• The story picks up 29 years after the original, with Happy forced out of retirement to raise funds for his daughter Vienna’s ballet school tuition

• His beloved wife Virginia Venit (Julie Bowen) famously dies in a freak accident caused by one of Happy’s swing mishaps—launching the emotional arc of the film

Tone and Themes

• The sequel blends nostalgic comedy with surreal emotional overtones, including dreamlike appearances by Virginia and tributes to Chubbs Peterson (Carl Weathers), who passed away in 2024

Cast & Characters

Returning Favorites

• Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore

• Julie Bowen reprises Virginia Venit

• Christopher McDonald back as Shooter McGavin

• Dennis Dugan returns on screen and behind the scenes as Doug Thompson

New Faces & Cameos

• Bad Bunny plays Happy’s unpredictable caddie Oscar

• Benny Safdie, Margaret Qualley, Ben Stiller, and Maggie, appear in prominent roles

• Adam Sandler’s daughters Sunny and Sadie appear, with Sunny credited as Vienna, Happy’s daughter

Celebrity & Athlete Cameos

• Cameos from Travis Kelce, Eminem, Post Malone, and NFL/golf legends (Jack Nicklaus, Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth, among others) pepper the film across comedy and contest scenes

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Production & Development

• Netflix officially green-lit production in May 2024.

• Filming took place in New Jersey (country clubs, diners, beaches) from September to December 2024

• A major rewrite occurred after Carl Weathers’ passing, scrapping plans for his character Chubbs to return; the final film honors his legacy via new material featuring his on-screen son

• Kyle Newacheck directs; the script is by Tim Herlihy and Adam Sandler, with production from Happy Madison and STX Films

Release Details

• Release Date: July 25, 2025 on Netflix globally

• Service drop time: Typically 12 a.m. PT / 3 a.m. ET

Early Impressions & Fan Reception

• Reviews note that Happy Gilmore 2 is primarily for existing fans, with callbacks, throwback style, and plenty of golf chaos, though it’s unlikely to convert new audiences beyond followers

• Praise centers around nostalgic humor, original cast chemistry, and celebrity cameos. Critics flagged the darker storyline elements and unusual tonal shifts as potential polarizers

Is It Worth It?

Happy Gilmore 2 doesn’t reinvent the wheel. It brings back classic characters, absurd golf shots, and playful cameos—but now with added emotional resonance and surreal comedy. While it’s not a generational hit like the original, it leans into nostalgia with enough new energy to feel like a welcome homecoming.

At the very least, it offers years of quotes, callbacks, and cameos to keep fans geeked—and at best, it’s a heartfelt tribute to what made Happy Gilmore matter.

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