The world’s greatest golfer is back in Happy Gilmore 2

It’s easy to see why Happy Gilmore has built up such a devoted following since its release in 1996. It’s got the hugely popular Adam Sandler in one of his signature roles, as the failed ice hockey player turned big-driving golf star. It’s a classic story of an underdog beating the odds. It’s got moments of true comic genius. It’s got boo-able villains, it’s got adorable romance, it’s got a bit with an alligator, and it’s Carl Weathers. Are we saying Happy Gilmore is the perfect movie? Well, yes. We think we might be saying that.

Get ready for another dose of perfection, then, because Happy Gilmore 2 is coming your way on Netflix! Happy might not have picked up a club in anger for years, but he’s got newfound motivation in the form of his kids. Have a look at the trailer here.

Happy’s a real family man. We know this from the first movie, when he entered the world of high-stakes golf to get his beloved grandmother her house back. This time, it’s his daughter who needs his help if she’s to fulfil her dream and make it to ballet school. So – woohoo! – it’s time for Happy to pick up the golf bag again, rediscover his mojo and start cleaning up on the greens…

Happy Gilmore 2 is released on Friday 25 July on Netflix (Apps > Netflix). Read on to find out more about the comedy sequel we’ve been waiting for since the mid-1990s.

Christopher McDonald is back as obnoxious rival golfer Shooter McGavin, while Julie Bowen – who since the first film has become one of the world’s biggest sitcom stars in Modern Family – returns as Happy’s love interest Virginia, and there’s more of Ben Stiller as the exuberantly ludicrous Hal. Tim Herlihy, who co-wrote the original with Sandler, is on script duties again and original director Dennis Dugan is on board as a producer, also appearing as golf supremo Doug Thompson.

Sadly, Carl Weathers, who played Happy’s mentor Chubbs Peterson, died in 2024 – although Lavell Crawford (Better Call Saul) appears in the sequel as Chubbs’s son. There will also be a very large Mr Larson-shaped hole in the new movie, because giant actor Richard Kiel (also known as Jaws from the Bond movies) died in 2014.

Sandler didn’t have to look far for an actor to cast as his daughter: she’s played by his own 16-year-old daughter Sunny (his elder daughter Sadie and wife Jackie also appear). Oppenheimer star Benny Safdie, who directed Sandler in Uncut Gems, has a prominent role, and Sandler fans will be delighted to see Farmer Fran from The Waterboy, played by Blake Clark.

Not surprisingly, there are also a huge number of cameos from the world of golf, including Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Jack Nicklaus, Nelly Korda, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Nancy Lopez and the legendary John Daly. Beyond golf, NFL stars Travis Kelce and Reggie Bush are involved, while rapper Bad Bunny has a main role as Happy’s caddy, and look out for Eminem and Post Malone too.

Since 2015, Sandler has been in a fruitful partnership with Netflix, and happily that’s given us at least two Sandler movies most years since (including some he produced but wasn’t in, like The Wrong Missy and The Out-Laws). You’ll also find lots of his work from before that tie-up began on the streamer, so if you want more of Sandler after watching Happy Gilmore 2, Netflix is definitely the place to go! Here’s our pick of his movies to stream right now.

The year: 1996

What is it? An ice hockey drop-out realises he can turn his powerful slapshot into golfing glory – if only he can control his anger.

Watch it because… It’s probably a few months since your 23rd viewing so you’re due another one of this – did we mention? – perfect movie. It’s the ideal platform for Sandler’s signature combination of awkward boyishness, physical humour and impotent fury.

The year: 2019

What is it? A New York couple head off on a glamorous European holiday but quickly find themselves suspects in the murder of a billionaire.

Watch it because… It’s a charming throwback to the star-driven comedies of the past, with Sandler and Jennifer Aniston giving it the full charisma blast, and has a script that knows when to be smart and when to be silly. And if you love it, there’s a sequel!

The year: 1999

What is it? A 32-year-old man gets dumped for being irresponsible and tries to demonstrate his maturity by adopting a five-year-old.

Watch it because… It’s right in the sweet spot of the golden age of Sandler’s comedies, the film’s plot reflecting the actor’s own evolution while still finding time for lots of gross-out gags. Lots.

The year: 2023

What is it? Leo the tuatara (a lizard-like reptile) is a class pet who gets caught up in the lives and troubles of the students who care for him.

Watch it because… It’s gorgeously animated, with a relentlessly positive outlook and great songs – this is Sandler in sweet-natured, fun-for-all-the-family mode, with a terrific comedy voice cast including Bill Burr, Cecily Strong, Jason Alexander and Heidi Gardner.

The year: 2019

What is it? A jeweller and gambling addict must retrieve an expensive gem to pay off his debts.

Watch it because… It’s a real career gamble, appropriately enough, but one that paid off – this incredibly tense crime thriller gained Sandler his best reviews as well as an Independent Spirit award for best male lead actor.

The year: 2023

What is it? A teen plans the perfect party while scheming to get back at her former best friend.

Watch it because… It’s an adaptation of a much-loved young-adult novel in which Sandler wisely takes a back seat in favour of a breakthrough performance from his daughter Sunny. Fresh, funny and non-formulaic, it’s got a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score.

The year: 2020

What is it? A deli worker must save the residents of his town from a kidnapper who is using the Halloween festivities to ensnare his victims.

Watch it because… It’s the rare Halloween movie you can watch with the kids, and they’ll love Sandler in full-on slapstick mode, with gags to make you scream with laughter from a top-notch comedy cast (including Happy Gilmore’s Ben Stiller and Julie Bowen).

The year: 2022

What is it? A jaded basketball scout discovers a young talent and makes it his mission to get him to the big league.

Watch it because… It’s among the best of Sandler’s “grown-up” movies, a moving comedy drama in which Sandler makes a convincing and empathetic father figure – a performance that earned him his first Screen Actors Guild award nomination.

The year: 2024

What is it? An astronaut on a far-flung mission encounters a creature that enables him to change his perspective on life.

Watch it because… It’s an adaptation of a Czech literary novel and the cast is littered with Oscar nominees including Carey Mulligan, Isabella Rossellini and Paul Dano. You want highbrow and thought-provoking? Sandler can do highbrow and thought-provoking.

The year: 2011

What is it? Plastic surgeon Danny recruits his assistant Katherine to aid in his romantic adventures – but could she in fact be the woman of his dreams? 

Watch it because… It’s the romcom that proved Sandler was more than just the goofy man-child of his earlier movies. The fun screwball plot, beautiful locations and fantastic chemistry between Sandler and Jennifer Aniston made it a $215 million hit.

You'll find these Adam Sandler hits on Netflix too so you can plan a whole festival of his movies if you so desire.

Hotel Transylvania 1-3

Sandler is the frustrated head of a spooky family in this funny and wildly popular animated comedy series.

Anger Management

Sandler is a ball of rage who gets some unorthodox therapy from a doctor played by Jack Nicholson.

The Do-Over

Sandler is a bored bank manager who fakes his own death in an attempt to find more excitement in life.

The Meyerowitz Stories

Sandler is an unemployed man who moves back in with this father (Dustin Hoffman) in this evocative, award-winning comedy drama.

Sandy Wexler

Sandler is a bullish talent agent who has his worldview altered when he meets a singer (Jennifer Hudson) in this 90s-set comedy.