Happy Gilmore is back. The fan-favorite comedy starring Adam Sandler made its return on Netflix, bringing back much of the original cast and paying tribute to those who’ve since passed. For years, fans have been dying to see a sequel to arguably one of Sandler’s most popular goofy comedies—the kind that made him a star.
But despite the demand, it begs the question: Did we need a sequel?
Sadly, the answer is no.
The film attempts to recapture the magic of the original—with numerous tributes, flashbacks to iconic scenes, and what’s now the standard for Sandler: a movie packed with friends and family. Yet it fails to deliver a compelling or coherent story. We’re left mostly reminiscing about the past.
Happy Gilmore 2 is not simply a cash grab. It is evident it’s much more personal. A story that’s near and dear to Sandler’s heart, especially considering his daughters having much bigger roles than in his previous films. The youngest plays Happy’s daughter, the other plays an outside figure who has a surprising twist at the end. His wife also makes an appearance as she has in his past films. A true family affair as they all have speaking lines.
In the film, we see Happy down on his luck, trying to provide for his family. The plot follows a nearly identical premise to the original—Happy, once again, is in desperate need of money. The flashbacks are lovely—truly—but serve more as a reminder of where we’ve been than a reason to care about where we’re going. They feel inconsequential, especially since most fans will already remember the scenes the film chooses to replay.
The jokes rarely land. At best, they provide a few light chuckles. The acting is solid, especially from Sandler’s daughters and several of the seasoned cast. Golf fans will appreciate the many cameos, including Men’s World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler—whose now-famous legal mishap at the 2024 PGA Championship is referenced, which leads to one of the funniest moments in the film with its hilarious one-liners. Women’s World No. 1 Nelly Korda, also makes an appearance not as herself but as a medical professional. For non-golf fans, it’s easy to miss in her brief appearances.
Other professional golfers have their moments, including Xander Schauffele with ‘that’s what she said’ jokes that feel archaic and childish in today’s comedy. This lies the problem with Sandler’s newest comedy. Its determination to revisit the past, however enjoyable it may be, never allows for uninhibited laughter. As a Happy and a golf fan, there was much to appreciate, but as a movie lover, there is much to be desired.
Happy Gilmore 2 is unequivocally a bad movie. And yet, it still manages to make you smile. It will likely please most fans, land in the middle for most critics, evident by its current Rotten Tomato score hovering around 65%, and Screen Rant a 5 out of 10 score. This ultimately raises the question: at what point should we let a film stand on its own, instead of giving in to fan demands?
We’re glad we returned to our happy place—but maybe it’s time to let go.
To find a new happy place. One that actually makes us laugh.
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