Happy Gilmore 2 review fans have been waiting nearly three decades for this sequel — and it finally delivers on July 25, 2025 via Netflix. Revisiting Adam Sandler’s beloved character, the film leans heavily into nostalgia, cameos, and heartfelt callbacks with both success and missteps.
Plot & Premise
The new film opens with a shocking twist in the first few minutes — Happy accidentally kills his wife Virginia with a stray golf shot. Grief-stricken and alcoholic, he retreats to raise his daughter Vienna (real-life daughter Sunny Sandler) in a modest home. When Vienna earns a chance to study ballet in Paris, Happy returns to golf to raise the funds, rediscovering his passion and battling elite competition in a wild new league format.
What Works: Nostalgia, Cameos, & Humor
This sequel is unapologetically nostalgic. Original cast members Christopher McDonald (Shooter McGavin), Julie Bowen (Virginia), Ben Stiller (Hal L.), and Dennis Dugan return in beloved roles. The script from Sandler and Tim Herlihy is layered with callbacks—the ghostly appearance of Virginia, recurring Flask gags, and pro golf references.
Cameos are a major feature: major current golf stars like Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler appear, alongside celebrity guests Bad Bunny as the eccentric caddie Oscar and Travis Kelce in a memorable honey-bear fantasy scene. These moments, while overstuffed, deliver laughs in nostalgic bursts.
What Misses the Mark: Length, Nepotism & Bloated Third Act
The film’s nearly two-hour runtime feels bloated—especially in the third act, which some reviewers called “a parade of cameos without real narrative weight.” Critics panned excessive nepotism with nearly every member of Sandler’s family included on screen and multiple SNL-era pals showing up just to fill space.
While Sandler’s performance retains his trademark energy, some reviewers felt he seemed “detached,” and the humor felt recycled—leading some to label *Happy Gilmore 2* as a lackluster sequel or even “the worst sequel ever” from his catalog.
Standout Funny Moments
Despite its flaws, the movie still brings memorable humor. Some highlights include:
- The visual gags with disguised flasks (e.g., TV remote, cucumber)
- Bad Bunny’s unexpected comedic timing
- A surreal fantasy involving Travis Kelce being smeared with honey by a bear
These scenes reminded viewers why Sandler’s slobs‑versus‑snobs charm remains distinct—“stupid, harmless fun” in its purest form.
Critical Reception Summary
Critics are split. Some praise its emotional core but caution against overindulgence in nostalgia. Others highlight its humorous moments and fan service despite uneven pacing. Still others consider it self-indulgent and lacking narrative discipline.
Rotten Tomatoes & Audience Score
On Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, the film currently ranks around 6/10. Critics applaud its commitment to comedy but warn it doesn’t quite recapture the original’s magic. Still, many say it’s among Sandler’s most fun movies of 2025.
Internal Related Article
For more on Sandler’s return to public satire, check out our article: Matthew Perry’s Death: Real-Time Update on the Doctor’s Guilty Plea in 2025.
Final Verdict
Is *Happy Gilmore 2* the perfect sequel? No. Does it recapture enough moments for fans to enjoy it? Absolutely. The sequel is unpolished, overly long, and heavy-handed in its callbacks, but it delivers the character, energy, and absurdity that fans love. For anyone nostalgic for the 1996 original—*and who can stomach the ego‑inflated cameos—it’s worth the ride.