Adam Sandler – On July 25, 2025, Happy Gilmore 2 teed off on Netflix, bringing back Adam Sandler as the hot-tempered, hockey-stick-wielding golfer Happy Gilmore, nearly 30 years after the 1996 cult classic. Sandler, now 58, reprises his iconic role with the same manic energy, blending slapstick humor with a surprising emotional depth as Happy navigates retirement, loss, and a comeback to fund his daughter’s ballet dreams. The film, directed by Kyle Newacheck and co-written by Sandler and Tim Herlihy, features a sprawling cast of returning favorites, new faces, and a parade of celebrity cameos, making it a nostalgic yet fresh spectacle for fans.
The Core Cast: Familiar Faces and Family Ties
Sandler anchors Happy Gilmore 2 as Happy, now a washed-up former golf champion who’s fallen into alcoholism after a tragic accident. His performance balances the original’s wild antics—like brawling with spectators—with a sadder, older edge, reflecting a man reckoning with grief and purpose. Consequence praises Sandler’s “genuine gravitas” in these quieter moments, proving he’s more than just a comedic chaos agent. Joining him are key returnees from the 1996 film:
- Julie Bowen as Virginia Venit: Bowen, 55, reprises her role as Happy’s love interest, now his wife, though her screen time is brief due to a shocking early plot twist. She told People she expected a younger actress to replace her, but Sandler insisted she was “the heart of the movie,” adding emotional weight to their family dynamic.
- Christopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin: McDonald, 70, returns as Happy’s smarmy rival, now a fallen has-been with an unhinged edge. His graveyard fight scene with Happy is a fan-favorite, with The Hollywood Reporter lauding his “unhinged dimensions” as a highlight.
- Ben Stiller as Hal L.: Stiller, 59, reprises his minor role as the sadistic nursing home orderly from the original, also seen in Sandler’s Hubie Halloween. His cameo adds a nostalgic nod, though it’s brief, per Netflix Tudum.
- Dennis Dugan as Doug Thompson: Dugan, the original film’s director, returns as the golf tour commissioner, also serving as an executive producer, tying the sequel to its roots.
Sandler’s family plays a significant role, blending personal and professional ties. His wife, Jackie Sandler, appears as Vienna’s ballet instructor, Monica, while daughters Sunny Sandler, 16, and Sadie Sandler, 19, take on key roles. Sunny plays Vienna, Happy’s daughter, whose ballet aspirations drive the plot, and Sadie plays Charlotte, adding emotional depth. Director Newacheck told People both daughters shone, with Sunny’s performance particularly praised for its sincerity, despite IMDb reviews noting only one daughter’s acting stood out.
New Faces and Rising Stars
The sequel introduces fresh talent to shake up the fairway, blending actors, musicians, and comedians:
- Benny Safdie as Frank Manatee: Safdie, known for Uncut Gems, plays the eccentric CEO of Maxi Energy Drink, sponsoring the disruptive Maxi Golf League. His quirky performance adds a modern antagonist vibe, though Screen Rant notes the subplot feels disconnected.
- Bad Bunny as Oscar Mejias: The Grammy-winning artist, credited as Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, plays Happy’s waiter-turned-caddie, stealing scenes with his comedic timing. Sandler praised his “unbelievably funny” improv on Extra TV, and Consequence calls him a standout.
- Maxwell Jacob Friedman as Gordie Gilmore: The pro wrestler plays Happy’s eldest son, inheriting his father’s temper. His physicality adds humor to family brawls, per Wikipedia.
- Ethan Cutkosky as Wayne Gilmore, Philip Fine Schneider as Bobby Gilmore, and Conor Sherry as Terry Gilmore: These actors play Happy’s other sons, each bringing hockey-player grit to chaotic family scenes, though their roles are secondary.
- Haley Joel Osment as Billy Jenkins: Osment plays a young golfer with a Happy-like swing who defects to Maxi Golf, adding a rival dynamic.
- Kevin Nealon as Gary Potter and Lavell Crawford as Slim Peterson: Nealon returns as a commentator, while Crawford adds comedic heft as a new character, per IMDb.
Cameo Overload: Golfers, Athletes, and Celebrities
Happy Gilmore 2 is a cameo bonanza, with over 40 stars, as Harper’s Bazaar US notes, creating a vibrant but sometimes cluttered mix. Golf royalty includes Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, John Daly, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Will Zalatoris, Xander Schauffele, Jordan Spieth, Keegan Bradley, Collin Morikawa, Rickie Fowler, Corey Pavin, Jack Nicklaus, and Nick Faldo. McDonald told ESPN their swings added authenticity, with McIlroy and Nicklaus even mimicking his “Shooter guns” celebration on set. Non-golf cameos include:
- Travis Kelce as a hotel employee, praised by Sandler on GMA for his “ridiculous” acting and natural charisma.
- Eminem, Post Malone, and Cam’ron for musical flair, with Eminem’s role called “funny as hell” by Sandler on The Dan Patrick Show.
- Eric André, Steve Buscemi, Rob Schneider, Nick Swardson, Jon Lovitz, Kym Whitley, John Farley, and Martin Herlihy as Sandler’s comedy crew, per The Guardian.
- Paige Spiranac, Ken Jennings, Kelsey Plum, and podcasters like Call Her Daddy’s Alex Cooper for modern media nods, though IMDb reviews call some cameos forced.
The film honors deceased original cast members—Bob Barker, Carl Weathers, Frances Bay, Richard Kiel, and Joe Flaherty—with a creative graveyard scene, blending humor and tribute. Sandler told Collider Weathers was set for a “massive” role before his 2024 passing, making the tribute especially poignant.
The Story: Nostalgia Meets New Stakes
After winning the 1996 Tour Championship, Happy amasses four more gold jackets but retires after accidentally causing Virginia’s death with a wayward golf shot. Devastated, he spirals into alcoholism, loses his grandmother’s house, and works at a Stop & Shop in New Jersey. Living with daughter Vienna (Sunny Sandler), Happy learns she needs $75,000 yearly for a Paris ballet academy. Motivated, he returns to golf, facing the brash Maxi Golf League and a down-and-out Shooter McGavin. The story, per Wikipedia, weaves family redemption with Happy’s signature chaos, though Screen Rant critiques its “scatterbrained” plot and bloated 1-hour-54-minute runtime.
Sandler’s Passion for the Project
Sandler, a lifelong comedy star with hits like The Wedding Singer and a $420 million net worth, told GMA fan demand drove the sequel: “People say, ‘You ever gonna do Happy Gilmore 2?’” He felt 2025 was the “right time,” citing golf’s cultural resurgence, per Netflix Tudum. Filming began September 9, 2024, across New Jersey locations like Bedminster’s country club and Montclair Golf Club, wrapping December 10, with a premiere at Lincoln Center on July 21, 2025. Sandler’s hands-on role as star, co-writer, and producer via Happy Madison Productions ensured his vision, though The Guardian notes the film leans heavily on nostalgia with frequent 1996 clips.