Adam Sandler returns as the hot-headed, hockey-stick-swinging golfer in Happy Gilmore 2, a long-awaited sequel to the 1996 cult classic. Directed by Kyle Newacheck and co-written by Sandler and Tim Herlihy, this Netflix release dives deep into nostalgia, delivering a mix of slapstick comedy, heartfelt moments, and a parade of cameos that both delight and distract. While it captures some of the original’s anarchic charm, the film struggles with an overstuffed plot and an uneven tone, making it a fun but flawed follow-up.
The story picks up nearly 30 years after Happy’s improbable golfing triumph. Now a washed-up family man, Happy faces a devastating tragedy early on—his wife, Virginia (Julie Bowen), is killed by an errant golf ball, a shocking plot twist that sets a somber tone. Broke, alcoholic, and working a dead-end job, Happy must raise funds to send his daughter Vienna (Sunny Sandler) to a prestigious ballet school in Paris. This leads him back to the golf course, where he confronts a new challenge: Maxi Golf, a flashy, seven-hole league led by energy drink mogul Frank Manatee (Benny Safdie), designed to modernize the sport with shot clocks and spectacle.
The film’s first act shines, leaning into the original’s goofy energy with familiar faces like Christopher McDonald’s Shooter McGavin, still a delightfully smarmy villain, and Ben Stiller’s Hal L., whose rehab center subplot ties cleverly into Happy’s arc. The family dynamic, including Happy’s four sons inheriting his temper and Vienna’s ballet dreams, echoes the original’s heartwarming motivation to save Grandma’s house. Golf legends like John Daly and surprise cameos from Eminem and Haley Joel Osment add zany flair, while callbacks to iconic moments—like the Bob Barker fight—land well for fans.
However, the film stumbles in its second half. Clocking in at 114 minutes, it’s nearly 30 minutes longer than the original, and the pacing suffers as it juggles too many ideas. The Maxi Golf subplot, a satirical jab at modern sports leagues like LIV Golf, feels disjointed from the family-driven narrative, creating a fractured story that can’t decide if it’s a legacy sequel or a commentary on tradition versus innovation. The sheer volume of cameos—ranging from Bad Bunny to Margaret Qualley—often feels gratuitous, pulling focus from Happy’s journey. While some, like Will Zalatoris as a pro golfer tied to the original caddie, are clever, others, like Post Malone’s commentator, add little beyond star power.
The comedy remains true to Sandler’s brand of low-brow, physical humor, with scatological gags and Three Stooges-style slapstick. Fans of the original will find laughs in Happy’s rage-fueled antics, but the script leans too heavily on recycled jokes and clips from the 1996 film, making it feel like a nostalgia crutch rather than a fresh take. The emotional beats, particularly Happy’s redemption and his bond with Vienna, are heartfelt but undercut by the film’s chaotic energy and an overreliance on fan service.
Happy Gilmore 2 is a love letter to fans, delivering enough dumb fun and familiar beats to satisfy those craving a return to the “Happy Place.” However, its bloated runtime, unfocused narrative, and excessive cameos prevent it from matching the original’s tight, quotable brilliance. It’s a par effort that occasionally sinks a birdie but often lands in the rough. Stream it for the nostalgia, but don’t expect it to outshine the classic.
