In 1996, Adam Sandler starred in Happy Gilmore and introduced audiences to a new appreciation for the sport of golf. This was one of those films that, when I need a break from reality, reminds me of my younger years. It is now 2025, and we have Happy Gilmore 2.
Happy’s life continued with marrying Virginia Venit. They proceeded to have five children, and in 2014, tragedy hit. It is now 2025, and Vienna, the only daughter, has a chance to go to dance school in Paris. Happy realizes he must return to golf to win the money needed for this to happen.
With tributes to original cast members who have passed and cameos of 23 known golfers, 5 pro athletes, 22 actors/celebs, and 25 friends/family/SNL alums, the movie follows a similar path to the first, which is part of the charm. It is familiar without being a remake. There is still plenty of “high school” humor, such as when all his sons moon him, and jokes that make our inner child laugh. Some laughs meet where he is in life, as seen when he is in his happy place, seeing sweatpants with a smaller size tag. And some even require the audience to use a few more brain cells to catch. I liked where most of the storylines put the characters now, and the new characters were good additions. You can see the thought that went into making the choices.
A few specific callouts on the cast need to be made, keeping with tradition, his wife Jackie plays Monica, the dance teacher, who arranges for Vienna, played by their real daughter, Sunny, to get the audition in Paris. Sadie is also in the movie as Charlotte, who is also in the court-ordered alcoholics group. Knowing this last bit makes one of the lines toward the end hit that much harder. And honorable mention to his Mother-in-law and Mother being in the crowd in the scene with the son of Mr. Larson.
Over the years, Adam Sandler has shown his talent. He knows what makes an award-winning movie, but that doesn’t mean that every movie must be that caliber. It looks like there was a lot of fun in the planning of the movie, especially with the extreme golf course. Knowing this movie was made to be fun, give the world a chance to laugh, and not be so serious, especially during a time when we need it, I must give it kudos. Add that I was able to watch it at home in my PJs on a Saturday morning, and that was a great start to a weekend.
If you liked the earlier Adam Sandler movies and are in the mood to put the world on pause for a bit, get comfortable, turn on Netflix, and watch Happy Gilmore 2.
Director: Kyle Newacheck
Cast: Adam Sandler, Julie Bowen, Christopher McDonald
MPAA Rating: Rated R for language.
Selig Rating: 3.5 stars
Runtime: 1h 54m
Release Date: July 25, 2025
Genre(s): Comedy, Sport
Movie Site: Happy Gilmore 2 website
Trailer: Happy Gilmore 2 trailer
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.
4 Stars – Good movie/show
3 Stars – OK movie/show
2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…
1 Star – Total waste of time.