Adam Sandler is stepping back onto the green in Happy Gilmore 2, the long-awaited sequel to his 1996 cult classic. Premiering on Netflix this summer, the film reunites Sandler with original cast members Christopher McDonald (Shooter McGavin), Julie Bowen (Virginia), and Ben Stiller (Hal L.), while introducing a host of new faces, including Bad Bunny, Travis Kelce, and Sandler’s daughters, Sunny and Sadie.
Directed by Kyle Newacheck and co-written by Sandler and Tim Herlihy, Happy Gilmore 2 picks up nearly 30 years after the original. Here’s everything we know about the long-awaited sequel, slated to release on Netflix.
Who Is Confirmed to Be in the Cast of Happy Gilmore 2?
The golf comedy will be a reunion for Sandler and his co-stars Bowen and McDonald, who are set to reprise their roles. Bowen returns as Virginia Venit, a PGA Tour publicist-turned-romantic interest for Happy, while McDonald will again portray the cocky pro golfer Shooter McGavin, who tries to thwart Happy’s meteoric rise out of jealousy.
“Shooter McGavin and Virginia Venit, please report to the green,” Netflix shared in a post on X. “Julie Bowen and Christopher McDonald will return in Happy Gilmore 2!”
In an April 2024 appearance on the Dan Patrick Show, Sandler expressed interest in bringing comedian Drew Carey into the movie after Bob Barker, Carey’s Price is Right predecessor, appeared in the original. Patrick also confirmed on the show that he will be in the movie.
“When we were writing stuff, Bob (Barker) was alive,” Sandler said. “When we were writing stuff, Carl Weathers was alive. When we were writing stuff, Joe Flaherty was alive. It sucks. We love those guys. They’re such a big part of the movie and just great people. But we’re going to get them involved. Somehow, they’ll be involved.”
Barker died in 2023, and Weathers and Flaherty passed away this year.
Bad Bunny, who ventured into Hollywood with roles in films like Bullet Train (2022) and Cassandro (2023), is confirmed for an unspecified role in Happy Gilmore 2. “Benito 🤝 Sandler,” read the X post, using Bad Bunny’s real name, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio. “Benito Martínez Ocasio will star in Happy Gilmore 2!”
In an August 2024 appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Sandler teased a cameo by Kansas City Chiefs tight end, who is set to appear in the upcoming Ryan Murphy series Grotesquerie on FX and will host the new spinoff Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?, premiering in October. “Travis mentioned it, so we have a nice something for Travis,” Sandler told Fallon. “He’s gonna come by. He’s a very nice guy. You guys would love him in real life.”
In the same month, Sandler confirmed to Indiewire that Benny Safdie would “have a juicy part” as well.
Some professional golfers have joined the roster, too, including Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, and Will Zalatoris.
Where Did Happy Gilmore Leave Off?
The original sports comedy film follows Happy Gilmore, a hot-tempered, unsuccessful ice hockey player who discovers a unique talent for golf, specifically, a powerful and unorthodox swing.
When his grandmother risks losing her home due to unpaid taxes, Happy enters a golf tournament to earn money. Despite his lack of experience and knowledge of golf etiquette, he quickly draws attention for his raw talent. He teams up with former pro Chubbs Peterson, who helps him refine his skills.
Happy becomes a sensation on the PGA Tour with his unconventional style and crowd-pleasing antics, but clashes with snobbish pro Shooter McGavin, who sees him as a threat. In a climactic showdown, Happy triumphs at the Tour Championship, winning back his grandmother’s house and receiving a vision of his late mentor, Chubbs.
What Is Happy Gilmore 2 About?
Happy Gilmore 2 picks up nearly 30 years after the original film, reuniting audiences with the beloved, hot-tempered golfer Happy Gilmore. Now retired, Happy finds himself drawn back to the golf course to support his daughter Vienna’s aspirations of attending ballet school.
In August 2024, Sandler confirmed that the film is about “an older guy who played golf a long time ago.” He also mentioned that his character appears in flashbacks to the 1950s, though he couldn’t reveal more. While appearing on Today with Hoda & Jenna on Sept. 12, 2024, Bowen talked about her return as Virginia and confirmed that she and Happy “are very much together.”
Sandler and Herlihy have been working on the script since February 2024, according to a post on X.
There’s a difference between not having a script, and not letting Nick “Loose Lips” Swardson read the script. Believe me, there’s a script. There’s been one since February. https://t.co/BWoBdi8jXD
— Tim Herlihy (@MrTimHerlihy) August 6, 2024
When Will Happy Gilmore 2 Be Released?
The film was initially said to premiere on Netflix sometime in 2025, but according to Deadline, which reported on February 13, the specific release date is July 25, 2025.
On September 9, 2024, Sandler teased that production on the comedy is underway by sharing a photo on Instagram of the iconic hockey jersey. “It ain’t over. The way I see it… we’ve only just begun,” he wrote in the caption.
