Nearly three decades after audiences first cheered on the unconventional golf pro, Adam Sandler's Happy Gilmore is making a highly anticipated return to the green, and the official trailer for Happy Gilmore 2 has arrived, promising a cavalcade of stars and signature comedic chaos. The sequel sees Gilmore, the failed hockey player turned golf sensation , staging a comeback to the sport after a long absence.
The premise for Gilmore's return to competitive golf is rooted in a familiar motivation: money. This time, he needs to raise $300,000 for his real-life daughter Sunny Sandler's ballet school tuition, prompting him to take another swing at the game for the tournament cash. Despite his years away from the links, Gilmore’s distinctive, hot-headed temperament remains, with the trailer showing him continuing to "fly off the handle when things don’t go as he plans". In footage previously released, Sandler's character lamented, "I haven’t swung a club in years," while acknowledging, "I’m a little intimidated. All these guys hit it big now". However, the supportive words of Virginia Venit, portrayed by Julie Bowen, reassure him: “We’re not done with golf,” she says. “Let them see the Happy I fell in love with”.
Fans will be thrilled to see familiar faces from the original 1996 film reprising their beloved roles. Julie Bowen returns as Happy’s love interest, Virginia Venit. Christopher McDonald is back as Happy’s enduring nemesis, Shooter McGavin, who first teased the sequel's development to Drew Barrymore. Ben Stiller also reprises his role as the cantankerous orderly Hal. Dennis Dugan, who directed the original Happy Gilmore and is an executive producer for the sequel, is set to appear onscreen again as pro golf tour commissioner Doug Thompson.
Beyond the returning favorites, Happy Gilmore 2 boasts an impressive roster of newcomers and celebrity cameos. Among the notable additions, Bad Bunny appears as Gilmore’s caddie, a character Happy has just met and is "breaking in" during the tour championship. The new clip also features appearances from Eric André, Margaret Qualley, Martin Herlihy, Eminem, Post Malone, Travis Kelce, Kevin Nealon, Benny Safdie, Nick Swardson, Scott Mescudi, and pro wrestler Jacob Friedman, also known as Maxwell Jacob Friedman.
Adding to the authenticity of the golf scenes, the film will feature a "slew of the game’s actual top golfers" , including Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau, along with legends like Jack Nicklaus and John Daly. Pro Shop Studios co-produced the film and played a key role in bringing these golfers on board. Pro Shop founder Chad Mumm noted that Adam Sandler's experience with his 2022 basketball film Hustle, which emphasized authentic sports portrayal, influenced the desire to bring similar energy to Happy Gilmore 2, ensuring the golf "feel really real".
Happy Gilmore 2 | Official Teaser Trailer | Netflix
The screenplay for Happy Gilmore 2 was co-written by Adam Sandler and Tim Herlihy, who also penned the original film's script. The film is directed by Kyle Newacheck and produced by Happy Madison, Sandler’s production company. The full trailer, which debuted at Netflix's Tudum fan event in Los Angeles , ends with a "kicker that calls back to the most famous exchange in the original movie".
Netflix officially ordered the film in May of last year , building on Sandler's longstanding deal with the streamer. Happy Gilmore 2 is set to arrive globally on Netflix on July 25. Despite the enthusiasm, Sandler admitted feeling pressure to live up to the 1996 original, stating late last year that "It’s on your mind," but expressing confidence that "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". With its blend of nostalgic returns and fresh comedic talent, Happy Gilmore 2 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated comedy sequels in recent memory.