Nearly three decades after he first burst onto the golf scene with an unorthodox swing and a short fuse, Happy Gilmore is making his triumphant return. Adam Sandler is reprising his iconic role in Happy Gilmore 2, a sequel that has been greenlit by Netflix and is set to premiere on the streaming giant on July 25, 2025. The film held its premiere at the Lincoln Center in New York City on July 21, 2025, building immense anticipation among fans.
Directed by Kyle Newacheck, known for his work on Murder Mystery, and co-written by Adam Sandler and Tim Herlihy (who also co-wrote the original 1996 film), Happy Gilmore 2 promises to deliver the same blend of sports comedy and slapstick humor that made its predecessor a cult classic. The film is produced by Happy Madison Productions, Sandler’s own company, alongside Tim Herlihy, Jack Giarraputo, and Robert Simonds.
Happy’s Return to the Green
The premise for the sequel sees Happy Gilmore, now retired for twenty-nine years after winning his first Tour Championship, forced back into the competitive world of golf. His motivation? To finance his daughter Vienna’s expensive ballet school. This new challenge brings Happy back into the orbit of familiar faces and introduces him to a new generation of characters and golf professionals.
A Star-Studded Cast and Unforgettable Cameos
Fans will be thrilled to see many original cast members returning alongside Sandler. Julie Bowen reprises her role as Virginia Venit, Happy’s wife, and Christopher McDonald is back as the arrogant rival, Shooter McGavin. Also returning are Ben Stiller as Hal L., the former retirement home orderly (a role he also played in Hubie Halloween), and Dennis Dugan, the director of the original Happy Gilmore, who reprises his role as tour commissioner Doug Thompson. Kevin Nealon returns as Gary Potter, and Blake Clark as Farmer Fran.
The sequel introduces new talent, including Benny Safdie and Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, better known as Bad Bunny, who plays Oscar, Happy’s caddy. Adam Sandler’s daughters, Sunny and Sadie Sandler, also join the cast, with Sunny playing Happy’s aspiring dancer daughter, Vienna Gilmore. Other new additions include Ethan Cutkosky, Maxwell Jacob Friedman, Philip Fine Schneider, and Conor Sherry as Happy’s sons, along with Kym Whitley and Lavell Crawford.
True to the spirit of the original, Happy Gilmore 2 is packed with an impressive array of celebrity and professional golfer cameos. The list of golf pros making appearances includes legends like Jack Nicklaus, Nancy Lopez, and Lee Trevino (who also appeared in the first film), alongside contemporary stars such as Keegan Bradley, Bryson DeChambeau, John Daly, Tony Finau, Rickie Fowler, Brooks Koepka, Nelly Korda, Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa, Corey Pavin, Xander Schauffele, Paige Spiranac, Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, and Will Zalatoris.
Beyond the golf world, the film features cameos from a diverse group of personalities, including rappers Eminem, Cam’ron, and Post Malone, NFL star Travis Kelce, Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush, basketball player Boban Marjanović, game show host Ken Jennings, radio host Dan Patrick, and wrestler Becky Lynch. Other notable cameos include Adam Sandler’s wife Jackie, and actors Eric André, Jim Downey, John Farley, Marcello Hernandez, Oliver Hudson, Scott Mescudi, Haley Joel Osment, Margaret Qualley, and Nick Swardson.
Production and Marketing
The idea for a sequel had been brewing for some time, with Adam Sandler expressing his hopes for a follow-up in September 2022. Christopher McDonald confirmed a script was in development in March 2024, and Netflix officially greenlit the project in May 2024. Principal photography commenced on September 9, 2024, coinciding with Sandler’s 58th birthday, primarily in various locations across New Jersey, including Bedminster, Garfield, Hackettstown, and Montclair. Filming officially wrapped on December 10, 2024.
The marketing campaign for Happy Gilmore 2 has been as creative as the film itself. Netflix collaborated with Topgolf Callaway Brands to release golf balls featuring quotes and images from the movie, as well as an updated version of Gilmore’s iconic hockey stick putter. Topgolf locations are also slated to host screening events. In a memorable promotional stunt, the New Year’s Eve ball atop One Times Square in New York City was replaced by a giant golf ball, generating significant buzz.
Release Details
Happy Gilmore 2 is rated PG-13 for strong language, crude/sexual material, some thematic material, and partial nudity. With a runtime of 1 hour and 54 minutes, the film is poised to be a major event for Netflix subscribers. Fans can mark their calendars for July 25, 2025, to catch Happy Gilmore’s long-awaited comeback exclusively on Netflix.
