The Wasteland Reviewer

Happy Gilmore 2 (2025) Written Review

Are we ready to watch a sequel to Happy Gilmore that came out 29 years later and straight to Netflix? Adam Sandler was one of the biggest talents of the 90s with plenty of smash hit comedies with the likes of Billy Madison, The Waterboy, and, of course, Happy Gilmore. His success continued into the 2000s even if the quality of his comedies spiraled down. But then he signed a massive deal with Netflix and started cracking out some of the worst comedies of the decade. His comedies haven’t delivered in years…but Happy Gilmore 2 has an interesting and morbid curiosity floating around it. 

Does Kyle Newacheck take the reins and make something worth the wait? First off, the comedy feels more old school Sandler than any of his comedies in 20 years. Instead of jerks or total buffoon characters like his comedies of the 2000s, Happy Gilmore 2 is still rooted in a flawed yet lovable protagonist just trying to do best by his family. The family-based motivations and themes of grief give this sequel an unexpected heart and soul. There is a love at the heart of this film that keeps it grounded even when some of the elements go off the rails. Humor consistently hits but there are a few gags that fall flat (but not every comedy can bat a thousand). The film also shows some good appreciation for the sport of golf which gives one of the major conflicts some good weight as well. But things go off the rails at the climax of the film. The first film is generally grounded, but this one gets to a point of science fiction or fantasy with some of the elements incorporated into it. Those elements are so ridiculous and dumb to the point that they almost ruin the movie. Luckily, the first two thirds give it enough goodwill to get to the finish line. At least the film moves with its constant humor, plenty of classic rock jams, and Sandler shenanigans.

Does the screenplay do the film any favors? Honestly…this is where most of the problems come in. The film does a great job of efficiently and effectively setting up the 29 years between the first film and now. This all feels on point and authentic to the spirit of the first film. The way they incorporate Shooter McGavin and explain his 29 years is hilarious. The Gilmore family dynamic is ridiculous but both hilarious and meaningful (which is the whole heart of the film). The first act and second act play off well building up Happy overcoming and struggling with his alcoholism, getting back into playing shape, and rejoining the tour. Happy’s main motivation speaks well to his character as he attempts to pay for his daughter’s dance school in Paris. This keeps Happy and the audience attached to the journey along the way. The film unfortunately becomes too convoluted and unfocused when the new focus becomes protecting traditional golf from this new, strange golf league. The third act shifts towards this, and the screenplay leaves so much of the story elements undeveloped and nonsensical that it makes it hard to push through that climactic chunk of the film. Not all the gags work and so many characters feel needless to the overall plot but at least there is plenty that do work.

How does this enormous cast in the film pay off? There are so many cameos and surprising casting decisions that it would be ridiculous and unnecessary to acknowledge most of them. Sandler is great as he slides back into this role but a mature and tortured version of the character that feels authentic to Happy’s journey. Julie Bowen is sporadically included but she still has some good chemistry with Sandler. Christopher McDonald is completely unhinged as Shooter…which honestly works for a character who spent the previous 29 years in a situation that he did. Benny Safdie is so weird and off-putting in a perfect way as the rich founder of this new age golf league. Ben Stiller returns as his despicable antagonist from the first film and is still mostly fun this time around. Bad Bunny is a hilarious addition to the film as Happy new caddie who steals almost every scene he is in. John Daly (a beloved eccentric golfer) is a surprise addition in Happy’s life and is a fun presence at that. Maxwell Friedman (of AEW fame) and the rest of the Gilmore boys are a bunch of silly fun. Lastly, both Sandler daughters appear and do a fine job with Sunny as Happy’s loving daughter, Vienna, and Sadie as Happy’s endearing pal from A.A. 

Does Happy Gilmore 2 stick its landing? It is certainly a rough flight, but it mostly does. There are tons of laughs to go around and enjoy in this almost two-hour film. That runtime is one of the biggest issues as this tries to do way too much and basically slams two stories together that could have been two different sequels. The third act is certainly disappointing with its nonsensical logic and over-reliance on CGI, but the film delivers enough joy and heart to make this a fun return for Happy and the gang.