Happy Gilmore 2 Swings Big on Nostalgia but Misses the Mark
Alright, so let’s talk about Happy Gilmore 2 , the sequel nobody really asked for—but let’s be honest, fans were probably always hoping for. Adam Sandler is back as the hot-headed golfer Happy Gilmore, nearly three decades after the original film became a cult favorite. This new installment, now streaming on Netflix, is being described less as a movie and more like a nostalgic time capsule—absolutely packed with cameos, callbacks, and enough references to the first film to make even the most casual fan feel caught up.
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But here’s the thing—this movie isn’t really trying to be fresh or clever. Instead, it leans hard into fan service. We're talking repeat appearances from the original cast, familiar gags, and more flashbacks than you'd expect from a sequel made almost 30 years later. Even if you’ve never seen the first Happy Gilmore , you’ll still get the gist because it practically spoon-feeds you the backstory.
So what’s the plot this time around? Well, Happy’s life has basically gone down the drain. He’s a washed-up drunk, grieving the accidental death of his wife Virginia—yes, killed by one of his own golf balls. Julie Bowen makes a quick exit from the story, showing up only occasionally as a ghost. Happy’s broke, working in a supermarket, and trying to fund his daughter’s ballet dreams in Paris. That daughter, by the way, is played by Sandler’s real-life daughter Sunny—because, of course, it wouldn’t be a Happy Madison production without friends and family sprinkled all over the cast list.
Eventually, Happy gets dragged back into golf—because what else is he going to do? But it’s not just regular golf anymore. There’s a new rival called Maxi Golf, a ridiculous hybrid of sports and showbiz, complete with enhanced players and absurd theatrics. Even Benny Safdie, known for his gritty directing in Uncut Gems , shows up as a villainous CEO with chronically bad breath. You really can’t make this stuff up.
Christopher McDonald returns as Shooter McGavin, now a bit unhinged but somehow still lovable. He and Happy team up after a bizarre cemetery brawl, complete with tombstones honoring characters from the original movie—including Bob Barker. There’s even a nod to Chubbs Peterson, now represented by his son Slim, played by Lavell Crawford and his detachable prosthetic hand.
As for the humor? It’s mostly just people getting hit with golf balls. Again. And again. And again. There's also a running joke about hiding liquor in random objects that overstays its welcome pretty quickly. Even Sandler seems tired, wandering through scenes looking like a guy who just got dumped at a gas station.
But despite all that? Fans of the original are probably going to love it. It’s not smart, it’s not subtle, and it definitely isn’t for everyone—but it delivers exactly what some people want: a hit of 90s nostalgia with a few familiar faces and a lot of absurdity. Just don’t expect to be surprised.
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