Considering the toxic track record that comedy sequels tend to have, the fact that “Happy Gilmore 2” (2025) is not a complete disaster is a minor miracle, as it hardly stoops to the lows of “The Hangover: Part II,” “Beverly Hills Cop III,” or “Caddyshack II.” However, the long-anticipated sequel to one of Adam Sandler’s most beloved films does little to stand on its own and is likely to be as easily forgotten as the other generic comedies that he has been making for Netflix over the past decade.
Sandler is an intriguing movie star because he has shown, frequently in films like “Uncut Gems” and “The Meyerowitz Stories,” that he is capable of doing great work when given the opportunity to work with a talented filmmaker. Unfortunately, nearly every film he has made through the Happy Madison production company has the same issues; the product placement is grossly evident, the films are too long and unfocused, the emotional core is confused, and cameos are used as connective tissue.
While “Happy Gilmore 2” isn’t as obnoxious as Sandler vehicles like “Jack and Jill” or “Blended,” it’s hard to imagine that anyone who didn’t grow up with the original film would find anything to enjoy about it. At the same time, those who know the original “Happy Gilmore” by heart may be disappointed that the sequel is highly derivative and often uses the same jokes with very little alteration in context.
Considering that the original “Happy Gilmore” was released in 1996, it only makes sense that the sequel takes place twenty-nine years later. Sandler’s titular character is now washed up after a tragic incident leads him to give up golf altogether, forcing him to take on a string of embarrassing jobs in order to provide for his children.
However, Happy finds the motivation to turn his life around when he discovers that his daughter, Vienna (Sunny Sandler), is a talented ballerina who has dreamed of attending an expensive ballet academy. Given that he has no other skills of use, Happy decides to enter an elite new golf competition that is fronted by Frank Manatee (Benny Safdie), the CEO of Maxi Energy Drink, a sponsor of the televised events.
Perhaps there’s something self-deprecating in “Happy Gilmore 2” poking fun at corporate sponsorship and egregious advertising, as the film is shameless in both. Some of the major brands have more screen time than supporting characters.
Simultaneously, it’s hard not to be a little bit charmed that Sandler cast his own children in the film, as if nothing else, his love for his family does feel rather earnest. Even if the setup involving Happy’s family and their precarious predicament is surprisingly morbid, any scene in which he is allowed to bond with his children works surprisingly well.
Unfortunately, the path to Happy’s comeback is laborious, as the film is inexplicably almost two hours long. Although there are a few amusing lines, the first hour of the film is almost devoid of any set pieces or gags that would elicit any major laughs.
What’s most fascinating is that “Happy Gilmore 2” is almost completely bifurcated. While the first hour of the film at least tries to wrestle with Happy’s addiction issues and his struggles to be a father, any semblance of stakes disappears once he hits the golf course and begins competing alongside a team of up-and-coming players.
The notion of Happy having to work in a team environment is an intriguing one, but there’s little tension that emerges on the golf course itself, as none of the supporting characters are granted much screen time. This may be because there are so many cameos that none have the chance to really stick. Although it is fun to see some of the original cast members return (with Ben Stiller’s performance as the grumpy Haloysius Lieberman being a standout), the appearances by sports and media figures add very little.
Also Read: The 8 Best Adam Sandler Movies
Sandler commits to the physical gags, as the film is actually willing to acknowledge that Happy has aged and no longer has the same drive that he did when he was a young man. However, this also makes him a much less interesting character, as Happy does not have the unkempt rage that had made the first film so hilarious.
It’s very odd that Sandler chose to turn one of his most over-the-top characters into a sad, dispassionate father, but the film also doesn’t show any interest in giving him actual time to grieve or express his anxiety. It’s an unfortunate case of Sandler denying himself the opportunity to fulfill his potential, as anyone who has seen “Punch-Drunk Love,” or even a more heartfelt comedy like “50 First Dates,” knows he has surprising depth as an emotional performer.
“Happy Gilmore 2” is uncreative in its use of modern technology, as other than a few references to Internet marketing and digital screens, the film rarely acknowledges the three decades that have passed since Happy last competed. Although the use of archive footage is refreshingly sparse, a majority of the references and callbacks will be lost on anyone who isn’t familiar with the first film.
A majority of the returning characters are brought back simply to recite the same lines, but there are a few instances in which “Happy Gilmore 2” creatively uses the legacy sequel format. Christopher McDonald’s return as Shooter McGavin is a pure delight, as it feels like he and Sandler were able to pick up right where they left off in 1996; there is also a heartwarming tribute to the late, great Carl Weathers, who passed away before he had the opportunity to reprise his role as Happy’s mentor, Chubbs.
Of the new cast members, Safdie certainly gives the most interesting performance, as he seems to understand the mix of absurdism and sincerity that makes Sandler an intriguing performer. The fact that he could have just as easily played the same role in “Uncut Gems” suggests that Sandler has at least taken some inspiration from his work with the Safdies. Also strong is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, the rapper also known as “Bad Bunny,” who fulfills the role of Happy’s hapless caddy, Oscar, who gets more than a few good lines by the time that the final match begins.
“Happy Gilmore 2” is too inoffensive to be angry with, but it also doesn’t feel like anyone involved was putting their full effort in. Considering that Sandler’s only sequels are to recent films (“Hotel Transylvania 2,” “Grown Ups 2,” “Murder Mystery 2”), it does feel like he’s been so stretched for original ideas that he’s forced to rely on familiar favorites.
If “Happy Gilmore 2” is a big enough hit that it allows Sandler to make more films with the Safdies or Noah Baumbach, then it’s a worthwhile endeavor. Otherwise, it’s another empty-calorie comedy that will linger on the Netflix home page forever.
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