A Cult Comedy Returns

Nearly 30 years after the original Happy Gilmore became a cult favorite, Netflix is bringing back Adam Sandler’s foulmouthed, hockey-playing golfer with a sequel set to hit screens on July 25, 2025. The original hit theaters in February 1996, earning a devoted fan base despite mixed critical reviews. Now, Sandler is tapping into that nostalgia but with new stakes, new cast members, and a clear mission: fund his daughter’s ballet education.

Meet Happy: A Retired Champ with a Purpose

In Happy Gilmore 2, the title character, now retired, is living the suburban dream. He’s got five sons and a daughter, and life, once easy, is about to get complicated. A personal crisis brings him back to the green, this time not to conquer the PGA, but to save his daughter’s ballet dreams. As always, Sandler co-wrote the script with long-time collaborator Tim Herlihy, aiming to recapture the original’s slapstick spirit while giving the story more emotional weight.

Who’s Back and Who’s In

Several familiar faces return: Julie Bowen reprises her role as publicist Virginia Venit; Christopher McDonald is back as arch-nemesis Shooter McGavin; Ben Stiller returns as the ever-eccentric Hal L.; and Dennis Dugan, director of the first installment, plays tour commissioner Doug Thompson.

Adding fresh energy, Margaret Qualley, Benny Safdie, and music icon Bad Bunny—as Happy’s new caddy, join the cast. The sequel also features cameo appearances from pro golfers Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau, Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas, and legends like Jack Nicklaus and Nancy Lopez.

Star Power at the Premiere

The New York premiere on July 21, 2025, at Jazz at Lincoln Center doubled as a reunion of Hollywood and pro golf. Sandler walked the red carpet with his wife Jackie and daughters Sadie and Sunny, both of whom appear on screen. Sandler shared that working alongside his family “makes your heart feel good.” Golf luminaries Bryson DeChambeau, Tony Finau, Collin Morikawa, John Daly, Jim Furyk, Fred Couples, and Scottie Scheffler, fresh from winning the Open, were also in attendance. Celebrity cameos included Bad Bunny, Travis Kelce, Paige Spiranac, and others.

Why This Sequel Matters

Comedy sequels often miss the mark (Zoolander 2, Anchorman 2), but Sandler and Herlihy approached the script with intention. Returning to broad, physical comedy while threading in real emotion felt natural, not forced. The original balanced golf-course absurdity with character-driven moments, something the team aimed to preserve. As noted by critics, the best golf comedies don’t take themselves too seriously, and Happy’s chaotic swing remains joyfully ridiculous.

In Short

• Release date: July 25, 2025 (Netflix)
• Plot: Happy returns to golf to support his daughter’s ballet training
• Cast: Mix of original characters and high-profile cameo golfers and entertainers
• Tone: Classic slapstick with a heart, staying true to the spirit of the 1996 original

The buzz is real. Whether you come for nostalgia, your favorite pro golfer, or just a good laugh, Happy Gilmore 2 is shaping up to be one of the summer’s most entertaining releases.