“Happy Gilmore 2”: All About the Adam Sandler-Led Sequel to the ‘90s Comedy Classic
'Happy Gilmore 2' will premiere on Netflix on July 25
NEED TO KNOW
- Adam Sandler is reprising his role as golf player Happy Gilmore in Happy Gilmore 2
- Netflix released the first full trailer in May 2025
- The movie begins streaming on July 25, 2025
Happy Gilmore's return to the green is closer than ever — and the sequel may be Adam Sandler's best work yet.
Christopher McDonald, who reprises his role as Shooter McGavin in Happy Gilmore 2, told PEOPLE that Sandler and Netflix have "outdone themselves."
“What I love about Adam Sandler is his heart. He's got so much love for people ... And he's done some amazing work in the last few years. So I'm very happy for him," he said in May 2025.
Netflix officially confirmed the film a year prior, adding that Sandler would be reprising his role. The PGA Tour even posted a video on X of the actor jokingly saying, “Shooter McGavin, this one’s for you,” before taking his character's signature heavy swing.
In August 2024, following the news that Travis Kelce will act in Happy Gilmore 2, Sandler appeared on the football player's podcast New Heights to talk about the upcoming sequel.
"The movie itself picks up from an older guy who played golf a long time. Some stuff goes on in his life, and he's different — he's a bit of a mess," the comedian said. "And then we try to get his life cooking again."
From new cast additions to the movie's release date, here’s everything to know about Happy Gilmore 2.
What is Happy Gilmore 2 about?
Netflix has not yet released any specific plot details of the Happy Gilmore sequel but Sandler has shared a few details and some of the cast have guesses on what direction the film will take.
When McDonald initially teased a potential second film during an October 2023 interview on The Movie Dweeb, the actor gave some of his suggestions for the plot. “I was hoping the Ryder Cup — that would be kind of cool. Or the Senior tour or something,” McDonald said. “We’ll see what happens.”
While Sandler indicated that there was a first draft of the script in April 2024, comedian Nick Swardson — who says he has joined the cast of Happy Gilmore 2 — said during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show in July 2024 that there was still not a final script, even though filming was set to begin in September. “It’s the most Sandler thing ever,” Swardson said.
The comedian did add that his character is seen in flashbacks to the 1950s before adding that he couldn't say anything more. Sandler confirmed in August 2024 that the film is about an "older guy who played golf a long time ago."
Which cast members are joining — and returning for — Happy Gilmore 2?
Rich Polk/NBC via Getty; Michael S. Schwartz/Getty Left: Adam Sandler speaks onstage during the 2024 People's Choice Awards. Right: Nick Swardson performs at the New Year celebration at The Ice House Comedy Club
In the studio’s official announcement, Netflix only revealed that Sandler would be bringing back his character for the sequel. However, several actors have independently alluded to or confirmed their participation in Happy Gilmore 2.
McDonald has publicly spoken about the sequel several times and Swardson has said he'll be playing a 1950s golfer. The comedian is a longtime friend of Sandler’s who has participated in dozens of roles for his production company Happy Madison Productions.
McDonald's involvement was made official by Netflix in an Instagram post shared in September 2024, and at the same time, the streamer confirmed that Julie Bowen would also be returning, with Bad Bunny joining the cast as well.
At first, Bowen didn't believe she'd be called back for the sequel, as she told The Hollywood Reporter in May 2025 — especially after her son said he'd heard rumors that Sydney Sweeney had already been cast as Sandler's younger love interest.
"I had heard that it was happening and I thought 'Well, I won't be in it.' And I didn't — that was okay. I was like Virginia Venit, it’s been 30 years, he’s got a hottie," she said, later adding, "So when I got the call that I was actually in it, I was like, 'Are you sure? Come on.' "
Sandler also half-joked that Dan Patrick — a longtime friend and collaborator — should make an appearance when he spoke to the radio personality in April 2024. “You’re definitely in it,” Sandler teased, adding, “We’ve got you right now playing you — playing o-Danny-boy, I call you. But you’re not happy with it.” Patrick kept the bit going saying, “No, I’ll do it."
In August 2024, Sandler revealed that Travis Kelce joined the cast of the movie during an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, calling him a "very nice guy."
"He has mentioned it and so we have a nice something for Travis. He is going to come by," Sandler said, later adding, "You guys would love him in real life. What a big, handsome guy. He's a stud and he's so funny."
"Travis Kelce has been out there and I just really liked him as a person," he said. "He is really funny. Way too handsome, by the way, but really a good actor actually,"
While talking to Indiewire that same month, Sandler confirmed that Benny Safdie would "have a juicy part" in Happy Gilmore 2 as well.
Is there a Happy Gilmore 2 trailer?
The sequel picks up 30 years after the first movie as Happy returns to golf in an effort to make enough money to cover tuition at his child's dream school. Happy's daughter, Vienna, is played by Sandler's real life daughter, Sunny Sandler.
Netflix released the first teaser for Happy Gilmore 2 in March 2025, allowing fans to see Sandler back in action in the title role.
In the trailer, Happy admits to feeling intimidated by the talented golfers who play the game now that he's finally ready to return, but he's going to give it a shot anyway.
The trailer also offers a glimpse at McDonald and Bowen's characters as Happy gets back into the world of golf.
When will Happy Gilmore 2 be released?
Happy Gilmore 2 begins streaming on July 25, 2025.
Where can I watch Happy Gilmore 2?
When Netflix confirmed that it was producing the long-awaited sequel in May 2024, they also confirmed the film would be available on its platform.
“Adam Sandler will reprise his iconic role in a brand new movie coming to Netflix,” the studio wrote on X.
Where does Happy Gilmore leave off?
The 1996 classic follows Gilmore, an unsuccessful ice hockey player with a forceful slapshot and a very short temper. After an impromptu long-drive competition, Happy discovers his hockey swing sets him up well for another sport: golf.
In need of some quick cash — his grandmother faces foreclosure on her house if she doesn’t pay off her debt — Gilmore enters a series of tours, finding a mentor in former golf star Chubbs Peterson (Carl Weathers) and an enemy in McGavin.
In the end, Gilmore prevails over his nemesis at the Tour Championship, winning back his grandmother’s house and even getting a vision from the heavens of his mentor Peterson, who passed away before the championships.
