Everything We Know So Far About Adam Sandler’s Happy Gilmore 2
Adam Sandler is returning to the golf course nearly 30 years after the release of Happy Gilmore in 1996.
In May 2024, Netflix announced that Happy Gilmore 2 was officially in production, with Sandler set to reprise the iconic role. The beloved film followed Happy, a struggling ice hockey player, as he unearthed his golf talent, entering a tournament to win money and save his grandmother’s home from foreclosure.
Alongside Sandler, the comedic film also featured Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen, Frances Bay, Carl Weathers, Allen Covert, and Ben Stiller.
Just two months before Netflix confirmed the sequel, McDonald, who portrayed Sandler’s rival Shooter McGavin, hinted at the film’s development.
Adam Sandler’s reputation as an industry icon is well-deserved. His comedic career spans decades, captivating audiences from Happy Gilmore to The Wedding Singer, securing a new generation of fans through the Hotel Transylvania series. Sandler found initial fame as a cast member on […]
“Just a quick update: I ran into Adam a couple of weeks ago and he said, ‘McDonald, you’re gonna love this,’” he shared during a March 2024 interview on 92.3 “The Fan” in Cleveland. “I replied, ‘What’s that?’ And he showed me a first draft of Happy Gilmore 2.”
Read on for more details about the upcoming Happy Gilmore sequel:
What Was the Conclusion of the Original ‘Happy Gilmore’?
At the conclusion of the original film in 1996, Happy Gilmore (Sandler) executes a trick shot to secure victory in the Tour Championship and the coveted gold jacket, ultimately reclaiming his grandmother’s house.
Who Will Appear in ‘Happy Gilmore 2’?
When the sequel was announced in May 2024, Netflix confirmed Sandler’s return. Three months later, he also revealed that Travis Kelce would join the film.
“The whole point was to hang out with Travis. That’s how we got it rolling,” Sandler mentioned in an August 2024 episode of Kelce’s “New Heights” podcast. “We’re heading to New Jersey. Travis, thanks; I heard you talking about [Happy Gilmore 2] on your show, man.”
The comedian hinted at a unique role for the NFL star but shared they opted not to pursue that idea.
“We were considering you playing my son while writing, like six months ago,” Sandler said. “We envisioned Travis being my first kid, which would be hilarious. Just a tough guy.”
That same month, Netflix confirmed that Julie Bowen and Christopher McDonald would reprise their roles for the sequel. “Shooter McGavin and Virginia Venit, please head to the green,” Netflix stated on X when breaking the news. Shortly afterward, they announced that Bad Bunny would also be joining the cast. In November 2024, Variety reported that Stiller is returning as Hal L.
In December 2024, Sandler confirmed that rapper Eminem would make a “hilarious” cameo in the film on The Dan Patrick Show.
“Eminem was awesome. He came by, and he was great,” the actor stated, though he didn’t reveal the rapper’s role in the film. “I’ve known Eminem a long time, he’s a fantastic guy, and he was extremely funny. We spent a day just hanging out, shooting, and he had a ton of lines we could use.”
What is the Storyline of ‘Happy Gilmore 2’?
A teaser trailer released in March 2025 unveiled the initial plot details, indicating that Sandler’s character hasn’t “swung a club in years.” Now feeling “intimidated” by professional golfers, Happy must prepare for an upcoming tournament.
“We’re not done with golf,” Virginia says to Happy in the teaser. “Let them see the Happy I fell in love with.”
The Sandman is loved worldwide for his comedy, but many fans are also intrigued by his unique style. Known for his casual attire, Sandler often appears this way whether taping a talk show or attending a movie premiere.
Is Julie Bowen’s Character with Adam Sandler in ‘Happy Gilmore 2’?
“We are very much together,” Bowen confirmed during a September appearance on the Today show, referring to her character alongside Sandler’s.
Will There Be a Trailer for ‘Happy Gilmore 2’?
Netflix unveiled the first look at the sequel on Christmas Day 2024. “Season’s Greetings from Netflix, and a Happy New Year,” displayed alongside clips of Sandler’s character back on the golf course.
The initial trailer shows rapper Bad Bunny as Happy’s caddy, while Kelce’s character greets him with, “It’s great to see you back, Mr. Gilmore.” One scene hints that Happy and Virginia have started a family, featuring Happy interacting with a group of children, including Sandler’s daughter Sunny. (Sandler has daughters Sunny and Sadie with his wife, Jackie.)
“We’ve just begun,” Virginia tells Happy towards the end of the clip before sharing a kiss. The teaser concludes with Happy and Shooter facing off in a graveyard.
A follow-up trailer in March 2025 highlights Happy’s return to the golf course after a lengthy absence from the sport.
A third teaser showcased during Netflix’s Tudum event in May 2025 revealed that Happy is back on the green to raise funds to send his daughter Vienna (played by Sunny Sandler) to ballet school.
“Remember the happy place I went to? You go to yours,” he lovingly tells his daughter.
Will Any Professional Golfers Appear in ‘Happy Gilmore 2’?
A behind-the-scenes clip released in February 2025 unveiled that several golfing stars like Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, and Will Zalatoris will make appearances in the sequel.
‘Happy Gilmore 2’ Will Be ‘Hilarious’
While at the 16th Annual AAFCA Awards, Kym Whitley shared insights on her experience during filming.
“It’s going to be hilarious,” Whitley told Us Weekly in February 2025. “Adam Sandler is not only funny; he’s a wonderful person. He brings all his comedian friends on board, giving everyone opportunities to play around with the script. He’s encouraging, saying, ‘Try this! Go for it!’”
Whitley noted that the script is “ridiculously funny.”
“One of the funniest moments occurred while filming a scene where I was outside Ben Stiller‘s window, acting silly. Adam Sandler’s daughter was part of it,” Whitley recounted. “We got to act crazy together, which was a standout moment for me.”
Sandler shares daughters Sunny and Sadie with wife Jackie, who frequently appear in his films.
‘Happy Gilmore 2’ Will Honor Carl Weathers
McDonald, who was part of the original cast, noted that the sequel will pay tribute to Weathers — who portrayed Chubbs in the initial film and passed away in February 2024 at 76 years old.
“I miss him every day. He was a good friend,” McDonald exclusively told Us Weekly in March 2025 during an event at GBK, MEND & Bodywell’s Pre-Academy Awards Luxury Lounge. “We were buddies during filming and continued to be good friends after. We’re commemorating many people who are no longer with us.”
He added that the Happy Gilmore 2 cast sends love to Weathers and other departed co-stars, saying, “I can’t reveal much, but you’ll see our homage to them in the movie.”
In an interview with Collider published on July 18, Sandler confirmed that Weathers’ passing required some “painful adjustments” to the sequel’s script.
“Carl Weathers had a significant role,” he explained. “We were both excited about working together, and then he passed away.”
“We needed to rewrite substantial parts and even adjust the storyline. We made several heartfelt references to how amazing Chubbs was in the film,” he concluded. “That was the primary alteration.”
When Will ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ Be Released on Netflix?
The sequel is scheduled to premiere on July 25, 2025.
