Happy Gilmore 2 Review – Adam Sandler Returns with an Emotional & Hilarious Sequel

Happy Gilmore 2: Surprising Twists, Cameos & Why It’s Making Waves on Netflix

Nearly three decades after the original cult classic, Happy Gilmore 2 swings onto your screen with renewed charm. Adam Sandler returns as Happy in a sequel that’s equal parts heartfelt and absurd—it’s Netflix’s big comedy event of summer 2025.

Let’s dive into what makes this sequel surprising, nostalgic, and unforgettable.

What’s New in Happy Gilmore 2

• The film premiered on Netflix on July 25, 2025, directed by Kyle Newacheck, with Sandler co-writing the script alongside Tim Herlihy.
  
• Happy’s wife Virginia (Julie Bowen) is killed in a freak golf accident early in the film—a shocking twist that sets the emotional tone and drives Happy’s return to golf to fund his daughter’s ballet tuition Paste Magazine.
  
• The tone blends slapstick comedy with raw emotion, showing Happy in grief and rebuilding his life with his kids.
  

Major Cameos & Nostalgia Factor

Happy Gilmore 2 packs an impressive lineup of cameos:

• Pro golfers like Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, and many more appear as themselves on course scenes.
  
• Sports stars such as Travis Kelce (in a bizarre, viral role), Eminem, and wrestler Becky Lynch appear in comedic and surreal scenes—Kelce’s honey-and-bear fantasy is especially memorable Wikipedia.
  
• Returning original cast: Christopher McDonald, Ben Stiller, Julie Bowen, and Bad Bunny (as Happy’s caddie Oscar) add to the mix of nostalgia and fresh humor Wikipedia.
  

Why This Sequel Divides Fans

What it does well:

• Heavy on callbacks to the 1996 original, bringing back beloved characters and familiar jokes.
  
• Delivers comedic moments through over-the-top slapstick and heartfelt emotional beats.
  

What falls flat:

• Critics say the film leans too hard on cameo overload and rehashed jokes, making it feel bloated and overstretched Paste Magazine.
  
• Some viewers find the chaotic structure and excessive fan service tiring rather than entertaining.
  

Core Emotional Arc

At its center, Happy Gilmore 2 is about loss and redemption:

• Happy’s grief over Virginia’s accidental death leads him into a spiral of alcoholism and hardship.
  
• Raising five children alone, he returns to golf to save his daughter Vienna’s dance dreams—a comeback fueled by love, guilt, and a shot at redemption
  

Final Verdict

Happy Gilmore 2 won’t win over outsiders—it’s a nostalgia-heavy treat aimed squarely at fans of the original film. While it lacks the punchy freshness of the first, its emotional core and homage-filled moments bring smiles. If you loved Happy and Shooter McGavin, you’ll find something to enjoy—and maybe even laugh aloud at the absurd sequences.

For a full rundown of cameos and standout scenes, check out the detailed coverage in this USA Today article on Happy Gilmore 2.

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