If you are anything like me, you probably still get a chuckle thinking about the first Happy Gilmore. That wild, golf-hating hockey player who somehow became a golf star. Well, get ready because a sequel is actually coming to Netflix. This news first got out, if you do not count Shooter McGavin spilling the beans on the radio, at Netflix’s big presentation in May 2024. Now, we have seen the first real trailer. Happy is back golfing, Julie Bowen is there, and so far there are no alligators in the sky. Here is everything we know about this new comedy, from its first look to who is in it.
The trailer for Happy Gilmore 2 officially dropped on May 31. This was the same day the Knicks had a tough loss, but Happy always cheered for the Bruins anyway. In the trailer, Happy has not golfed in years. He gets back on the green and swings a ball so hard it burns a hole right through a golf simulator screen. Plus, Ben Stiller takes a break from his serious TV roles to return as Hal. Happy’s reaction, "Holy shhhhh…" pretty much sums up how we all feel. It feels like a real comeback.
Adam Sandler himself has mentioned feeling the heat to make this sequel live up to the original. He shared his thoughts late last year on the Dan Patrick Show. "It’s on your mind," Sandler said. "We’ve got a lot of good stuff and we just want to make sure that it all comes together and keeps it going from start to finish. That’s the goal. We’ll see. We’re definitely nervous, but we feel some sort of confidence." It is good to hear they are aware of the expectations, but also ready to meet them.
Who Is Returning And Who Is Joining The Fairway For Happy Gilmore 2?The Cast Is Getting Even Bigger With Surprising New Faces In The Highly Anticipated Sequel
So, who else is in Happy Gilmore 2? On The Tonight Show, Sandler said that many real golfers will show up in the film. Christopher McDonald and Julie Bowen are both coming back. McDonald, who plays Happy’s old rival Shooter McGavin, was actually the first to hint at the sequel. He told Drew Barrymore that Sandler had shown him an early script. This is a big deal for fans who loved their back-and-forth in the first movie.
New faces joining the cast include Margaret Qualley, Travis Kelce, and Bad Bunny. This means we might even see Taylor Swift at the premiere, which would be a huge event! Carl Weathers, who played the iconic Chubbs in the first film, passed away in February 2024. However, director Kyle Newacheck said that Chubbs’ spirit will live on in the new film. "You can’t make Happy Gilmore without Chubbs Peterson, it doesn’t exist," Newacheck said. "You can be assured his spirit is throughout the film. He may not be by Happy’s side anymore, but he’s on his shoulder." This is a comforting thought for fans who adored Chubbs.
Margaret Qualley's casting has a pretty funny story behind it. She went on The Tonight Show to say her husband, Jack Antonoff, may have lied to get her a part in the movie. Apparently, Adam Sandler texts Jack Antonoff. Sandler texted "Jacko. It’s Sandler. Does your wife golf at all?" Antonoff replied "yeah she’s actually good!" Qualley now says she does golf, but is not good at it. But Antonoff’s little white lies got Qualley a small part in the sequel. It shows how Hollywood connections sometimes work in unexpected ways.
Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs player, also managed to get into Happy Gilmore 2. After asking for a role on his New Heights podcast, Sandler decided to give him a shot. "Travis has… he mentioned it, so we have a nice something for Travis," Sandler said on The Tonight Show. "He’s gonna come by. He’s a very nice guy. You guys would love him in real life. What a big, handsome guy. Funny and cool as hell. He’s a stud, and he’s so funny." It sounds like Sandler is a big fan of Kelce. With Qualley and Kelce in the mix, that is two cast announcements coming straight from Taylor Swift’s close group. It seems like the movie is pulling in a lot of popular figures from different worlds.
WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Garcia (formerly Nikki Bella) and AEW’s Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) were also seen on set. Garcia shared a behind-the-scenes photo of them filming. This spotting comes after Garcia teased a "really big announcement" coming in July, which now appears to be related to her role in the film. For MJF, this is another big Hollywood moment after his praised role in The Iron Claw. He is definitely making a name for himself outside of wrestling. Their involvement is already getting people talking, drawing in both wrestling and movie fans. It is exciting to see what their roles will be.
Nearly thirty years later, Happy Gilmore 2 is coming to Netflix. We look at who is returning, new additions, and what to expect from Adam Sandler's golf comedy.
When Can You Finally Watch Happy Gilmore 2 And What To Expect From The Story?
Mark Your Calendars For The Release Date And Get Ready For More Unforgettable Moments
So, when can you finally watch Happy Gilmore 2? The film premieres on Netflix on July 25. Netflix officially gave the green light for the sequel in May of last year. Adam Sandler wrote the script with original co-writer Tim Herlihy. The movie is being produced by Happy Madison, Sandler’s production company, named after his two famous films Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison. This means the original creative spirit is very much still at the heart of this new project.
In the new film, Happy, the former hockey player turned golfer, is back on the green. Julie Bowen returns as Virginia Venit and Christopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin. The trailer shows Happy complaining "I haven’t swung a club in years. I’m a little intimidated. All these guys hit it big now." This suggests a story where Happy has to get his groove back after a long break. It promises the same mix of humor and heartwarming moments that made the first film a classic.
Dennis Dugan, who directed the first Happy Gilmore, is an executive producer on the sequel. He is also reprising his small onscreen part as pro golf tour commissioner Doug Thompson. This is a nice touch for long-time fans. Dugan even talked about working with Travis Kelce. "His acting was really good and funny, and he was just a genuinely nice guy," Dugan told The Hollywood Reporter. "I met him for a day and a half, loved working with him, and now every time he catches a pass on TV, I say, ‘My best friend caught another pass.'" It seems like the set was a fun place to be, which often makes for a better comedy.
I think the new film will try to capture the same silly spirit and physical comedy that made the first one so loved. With Adam Sandler involved in the writing and production, it has a good chance of doing just that. The blend of returning favorites and exciting new cast members should bring a fresh energy to the familiar world. Fans are waiting to see what wild new adventures Happy gets into this time, and how he deals with the challenges of modern golf and life.
It is definitely going to be interesting to see how Happy Gilmore 2 stands up to the original. The first movie is a classic comedy for many people. It has stood the test of time. A sequel after so many years is always a risky move. However, with Sandler’s team involved and the hints from the trailer, I am feeling pretty good about it. Get ready to shout "It’s all in the hips" again soon, because Happy Gilmore 2 looks like it will give us plenty to talk about.