Directed by Kyle Newacheck
Happy Gilmore 2 premiered on July 25, 2025.
Distributed exclusively by Netflix.
Movie Review
Happy Gilmore 2 tees off on nostalgia and expands its quirky golf universe with heart and chaos.
Nearly three decades after his first Tour Championship win, Happy (Adam Sandler) returns to the fairway to pay for his daughter’s ballet dreams.
The sequel blends roaring drives and slapstick putts with tender family moments, especially the genuine warmth between Happy and his daughter Vienna (Sunny Sandler).
Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald) resurfaces from a mental institution, trading taunts with Happy over swaggering putts.
Ben Stiller’s Hal L. steals scenes as a delightfully hopeless support-group guru, while Bad Bunny shines as Happy’s new, unflappable caddy. Celebrity cameos, Travis Kelce, Margaret Qualley, and a satirical rival league led by Benny Safdie keep the pace lively.
Though the plot feels thin at times, the film’s affectionate nods to the original and its fresh character beats make it a fun, feel-good ride.
Ratings
• IMDb: 6.3/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 62%
• Google Audience Score: 86% liked this movie.
Happy Gilmore 2 Actors
Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore
DOB: September 9, 1966
Bio: Born in Brooklyn and raised in Manchester, New Hampshire, Adam Sandler got his start in stand-up comedy before breaking out on Saturday Night Live.
He founded Happy Madison Productions in 1999 and has become known for films that blend broad humor with genuine heart, from Billy Madison to Uncut Gems.
Role: Happy Gilmore returns in a new chapter as a widowed father trying to rekindle his golf career. Not for trophies, but to give his daughter a chance at her ballet dreams.
What to Expect: Rocket drives off the tee, blunt humor, and tender father-daughter bonding.
Favorite Things: Sandler enjoys playing basketball daily, spending time with his daughters, and performing surprise stand-up sets with his longtime friends.
Notable Works: Billy Madison, Uncut Gems, The Waterboy, Happy Gilmore (1996), Grown Ups.
Christopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin
DOB: February 15, 1955
Bio: A graduate of Hobart College, Christopher McDonald has built a lasting career as Hollywood’s go-to for smug, charismatic antagonists.
Best known for his iconic role in Happy Gilmore, he’s also shone in drama and indie films alike, delivering layered performances with scene-stealing energy.
Role: Shooter McGavin is released from a mental health facility and reenters the golf world determined to reclaim his legacy and take down Happy once more.
What to Expect: Swaggering putts, vicious one-liners, and surprisingly reflective monologues about life’s second chances.
Favorite Things: McDonald has said he genuinely enjoys when fans call him Shooter and often reenacts his finger-gun gesture with a smile.
Notable Works: Grease 2, Thelma and Louise, Requiem for a Dream, Happy Gilmore.
Ben Stiller as Hal L.
DOB: November 30, 1965
Bio: Born in New York City to legendary comedy duo Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, Ben Stiller carved out his own legacy through a mix of offbeat humor and sharp directing.
A CalArts attendee, he gained early traction with The Ben Stiller Show before skyrocketing with hits like Zoolander and Meet the Parents.
Role: Now the world’s most cynical support-group leader, Hal runs “Alkies for Life” and dispenses hilariously terrible advice.
What to Expect: Deadpan tirades, cringe-worthy pep talks, and a big twist about his own backstory.
Favorite Things: Stiller has joked in interviews that Hal is “the most unrecoverable character” he’s ever played and loves pulling pranks on Adam Sandler between takes.
Notable Works: Meet the Parents, Severance, Zoolander.
Bad Bunny as Oscar
DOB: March 10, 1994
Bio: Born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Bad Bunny is a trailblazing global music icon who redefined Latin trap and reggaeton.
Beyond his Grammy-winning music career, he’s made waves in entertainment, from a critically praised SNL hosting gig to appearing in Bullet Train and WWE.
Role: Happy’s new caddy, offering sage golf tips and quietly stealing every scene with deadpan reactions.
What to Expect: Unflappable calm, unexpected one-liner fire, and smooth social-media moments.
Favorite Things: In interviews, Bad Bunny has said he loves teaching friends Puerto Rican slang and often listens to his own playlists to stay in the zone between takes.
Notable Works: Bullet Train, Cassandro, SNL host (2021), Grammy-winning albums Un Verano Sin Ti and YHLQMDLG.
Julie Bowen as Virginia Venit
DOB: March 3, 1970
Bio: Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Julie Bowen is a Brown University graduate who gained early attention in TV dramas before achieving major success with Modern Family, earning two Primetime Emmy Awards for her role as Claire Dunphy.
With a background in both comedic and dramatic roles, she’s known for her down-to-earth wit and advocacy work.
Role: Seen in heartfelt flashbacks as Happy’s late wife, her memory anchors Happy’s emotional journey.
What to Expect: Poignant family moments, behind-the-scenes grace, and bittersweet smiles.
Favorite Things: In interviews, Bowen has shared that she enjoys hiking with her kids and making homemade fondue as a family tradition.
Notable Works: Modern Family, Happy Gilmore (1996), Boston Legal, Weeds.
Sunny Sandler as Vienna Gilmore
DOB: November 2, 2008
Bio: The second daughter of Adam Sandler and Jackie Sandler, Sunny has appeared in several of her father’s films, gradually growing into more prominent roles.
Though she’s largely kept out of the spotlight, Sunny has earned praise for her natural screen presence and heartfelt delivery, especially in family-focused comedies.
Role: Vienna fuels Happy’s comeback, showcasing early grace and big personality.
What to Expect: Adorable sass, emotional stakes in every scene, and genuine family chemistry.
Favorite Things: Sunny enjoys singing and has performed live onstage with her father during comedy shows. She’s also said to enjoy spending time with her sister, Sadie, off-camera.
Notable Works: You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah, Hubie Halloween, Grown Ups.
Kevin Nealon as Gary Potter
DOB: November 18, 1953
Bio: Born in St. Louis, Missouri and raised in Connecticut, Kevin Nealon rose to fame as a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1986 to 1995, known for anchoring Weekend Update with his signature dry wit.
A stand-up comic and actor, Nealon has built a career on his subtly absurd humor and has appeared in multiple Happy Madison productions.
Role: The bureaucratic tour functionary who bungles golf regulations, forcing Happy to jump through hoops.
What to Expect: Dry humor, memorable catchphrases, and oblivious yet endearing incompetence.
Favorite Things: Nealon enjoys hiking in the hills of California and sketching caricatures of his co-stars between takes.
Notable Works: SNL, Weeds, Hiking with Kevin, Just Go with It.
Lavell Crawford as Slim Petersen
DOB: November 11, 1968
Bio: Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Lavell Crawford rose to prominence through stand-up comedy, gaining widespread acclaim for his role as Huell Babineaux on Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.
Known for his booming presence and sharp timing, he has appeared in multiple comedy films, including collaborations with Adam Sandler.
Role: Son of mentor Chubbs, Slim dispenses deadpan wisdom and mournful laughs about his father’s missing hand.
What to Expect: Iconic one-liners, slow-burn humor, and a surprising emotional crescendo.
Favorite Things: Reflecting on fatherhood during downtime and sharing Southern comfort food with castmates on set.
Notable Works: Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Hubie Halloween, The Ridiculous 6.
Blake Clark as Farmer Fran
DOB: February 2, 1946
Bio: Born in Macon, Georgia, Blake Clark is a Vietnam War veteran and longtime stand-up comedian who transitioned into acting with a knack for eccentric yet lovable characters.
A frequent collaborator in Adam Sandler films, he’s best known for his role as the unintelligible yet endearing Farmer Fran.
Role: Returning mentor who offers old-school wisdom, often via corny country anecdotes.
What to Expect: Heartfelt support, nostalgic callbacks to the original, and plenty of fishing references.
Favorite Things: Early-morning fishing trips and swapping tall tales with Adam on set.
Notable Works: The Waterboy, Little Nicky, 50 First Dates, Happy Gilmore (1996).
Benny Safdie as Frank Manatee
DOB: March 24, 1986
Bio: Born in New York City, Benny Safdie is best known as half of the Safdie Brothers directing duo behind Good Time and Uncut Gems.
While he’s acclaimed for intense, anxiety-driven filmmaking, Safdie has recently stepped into more acting roles, showcasing his versatility beyond the director’s chair.
Role: Antagonist who launches a rival “Maxi Golf” league, threatening Happy’s return with corporate swagger.
What to Expect: Power-suit flair, satirical corporate jabs, and unexpected dance breaks at sponsor events.
Favorite Things: Brainstorming absurd golf league formats between takes and trading production tricks with Sandler.
Notable Works: Good Time, Uncut Gems, Oppenheimer.
Margaret Qualley as Charity Match Golfer
DOB: October 23, 1994
Bio: Born in Kalispell, Montana, Margaret Qualley is the daughter of actress Andie MacDowell and trained as a ballerina before transitioning to acting.
She studied at the American Ballet Theatre and briefly attended NYU before landing breakout roles in The Leftovers, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and Maid, where her emotionally nuanced performances earned critical acclaim.
Role: Amateur golfer who challenges Happy in a high-stakes charity event, proving she’s more than just a celebrity cameo.
What to Expect: Grace under pressure, playful banter, and a surprise shot that changes the game’s course.
Favorite Things: Wearing vintage polos and joking about golf clap etiquette during breaks.
Notable Works: Maid, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Sanctuary, The Leftovers.
Travis Kelce as Club Boss
DOB: October 5, 1989
Bio: Born in Westlake, Ohio, Travis Kelce is a Super Bowl–winning tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs and widely considered one of the NFL’s greatest at his position.
Off the field, his charisma has landed him in commercials, reality TV (Catching Kelce), and hosting gigs, including Saturday Night Live.
Role: Demanding country-club boss in a surreal honey-and-bear fantasy sequence, playing himself with self-deprecating humor.
What to Expect: Shirtless slapstick, big-league bravado, and a wink at his real-life fame.
Favorite Things: Reminiscing about meeting Taylor Swift on set and joking with Sandler about NFL plays in golf terms.
Notable Works: Catching Kelce, Saturday Night Live (Host), multiple Super Bowl wins.
More Actors
• Dennis Dugan as Doug Thompson (tour commissioner)
• Maxwell Jacob Friedman as one of Happy’s sons (MJF)
• Ethan Cutkosky as Wayne Gilmore
• Philip Fine Schneider as Gordie Gilmore
• Conor Sherry as Terry or Bobby Gilmore
• Kym Whitley as Bessie (member of Hal L.’s support group)
Celebrity & Actor Cameos
• Nick Swardson
• Eminem (appears as Donald Jr.)
• Kid Cudi (Scott Mescudi)
• Eric André
• Reggie Bush
• Becky Lynch
• Nikki Garcia
• Haley Joel Osment
• Paul Farley
• Martin Herlihy
• Tim Herlihy
• Jack Giarraputo
• Cam’ron
• Post Malone
• Dan Patrick
• Verne Lundquist
Professional Golf Cameos
• Rory McIlroy
• Scottie Scheffler
• Bryson DeChambeau
• Brooks Koepka
• Justin Thomas
• Will Zalatoris
• John Daly
• Paige Spiranac
• Keegan Bradley
• Rickie Fowler
• Xander Schauffele
• Jack Nicklaus
• Lee Trevino
• Nelly Korda
• Nancy Lopez
• Corey Pavin
• Jordan Spieth
FAQ – Happy Gilmore 2 Movie
Will there be a Happy Gilmore 3?
As of now, no official announcement has been made about Happy Gilmore 3.
What happens to Virginia in the film?
Virginia Venit (Julie Bowen) is tragically killed early in the movie by a golf swing accident from Happy.
Is this film suitable for kids?
The movie is rated PG-13 for crude humor, language, and some sports violence.
It maintains Sandler’s signature comedic style but may not be appropriate for younger children.
Where was Happy Gilmore 2 filmed?
Principal photography took place in British Columbia, Canada, including several iconic golf courses and country clubs, as well as a few studio sets for flashbacks and dream sequences.
Is Eminem playing in Happy Gilmore 2?
Yes, Eminem does appear in Happy Gilmore 2.
A cameo role that quickly became one of the most talked-about moments in the film.
Conclusion
Happy Gilmore 2 leans into its beloved roots while carving out new emotional territory.
The film balances outrageous golf antics with genuine family moments and scene-stealing cameos.
Adam Sandler and Christopher McDonald reignite their rivalry, and fresh additions like Bad Bunny and Travis Kelce add modern flair.
Though the narrative sometimes feels crowded, the sequel delivers enough laughs and heartfelt beats to satisfy longtime fans and newcomers alike.
Pull on your golf glove and enjoy the ride.