Happy Again
Nearly 29 years after the original Happy Gilmore, Adam Sandler returns as beloved hot‑headed ex‑hockey‑turned‑golfer, now in semi-retirement and battling alcoholism. He re-enters the professional golf world to pay for his daughter Vienna’s ballet education, teaming up with old faces like Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald) and Virginia (Julie Bowen), while facing a new rival golf league launched by Frank Manatee (Benny Safdie).
The tone shifts more somber than expected: references to the death of Happy’s wife Virginia and his descent from fame introduce a surprisingly dark emotional undercurrent.
The film leans heavily on callbacks and Easter eggs—from the iconic Subway golf bag and beer hat to bull-dance shoutouts, making fans of the original feel right at home Netflix. Audience enjoyment is punctuated by cameo appearances from celebrity golfers (Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau, Scottie Scheffler, and John Daly), NFL star Travis Kelce, Bad Bunny, Eminem, and others, though reviews suggest these guest spots are piled on without much narrative meaning.
Notably, Travis Kelce receives attention for his unexpected comedic charm and natural presence opposite Sandler on set.
At its best, Happy Gilmore 2 delivers the goofy one-liners and over-the-top antics that made the original an ’90s cult classic. Despite that, multiple reviewers deemed it “par for the course,” noting the humor is uneven: some gags land, others lag or feel recycled.
Critics describe the middle act as “an overextended fever dream of celebrity cameos,” where the fun starts to curdle. The overall effect is more cluttered than clever—factoring in a distinctly macabre subplot and tonal whiplash.
Nevertheless, user responses and film fan forums like r/movies call it “a solid return to the kind of film” we don’t see often anymore, though acknowledging: “some jokes run too long… and it’s a constant stream of cameos”.
⭐ Performance & Reception
Critically, Happy Gilmore 2 is viewed as well below the original, but more fun than Sandler’s other recent Netflix projects. One critic bluntly calls it “an awful movie but a great time” Rotten Tomatoes. In contrast, Decider recommends viewers skip it, citing lack of depth and comedic lethargy, despite acknowledging a few strong performances—especially from Safdie and Kelce Decider.
Still, fans clearly tuned in: the sequel logged 46.7 million views in its first three days in the U.S., making it the biggest Netflix original opening ever domestically and Sandler’s most successful Netflix debut to date Netflix+2GamesRadar++2digitaltrends.com+2.
🎭 Final Verdict
Happy Gilmore 2 is a mixed bag: it offers flashes of nostalgic charm, energetic cameos, and oddball humor—but at the cost of narrative substance and tonal coherence. If you’re seeking a heartfelt underdog story, you may leave disappointed. But if you’re in for some lighthearted nostalgia, aimless celebrity drops, and a few laughs—Sandler and his team deliver, in their own chaotic way.
Estimated length: ~1 h 57 m, PG‑13, now streaming on Netflix.
🎯 Should You Watch It?
If you’re a fan of the first film and enjoy Sandler’s brand of nostalgia‑heavy comedy, there’s enough here to enjoy.