Happy Gilmore 2 (2025) Movie Review: Where to Watch Online & Why It’s a Wild Swing Worth Seeing
Nearly three decades after Happy Gilmore first smacked a golf ball straight into our hearts (and occasionally someone’s forehead), Adam Sandler returns with Happy Gilmore 2 — and this time, he’s not just chasing birdies, but redemption, legacy, and the tuition fees for a prestigious ballet school in France.
Directed by Kyle Newacheck, and written by Sandler himself along with longtime collaborator Tim Herlihy, this Netflix original dives headfirst into nostalgia, chaos, and celebrity cameos, while still trying to hold onto the quirky soul of the original.
Available to stream now exclusively on Netflix.
Plot Recap: From the Golf Course to Paris Dreams
Happy Gilmore 2 picks up roughly 30 years after Happy’s iconic win at the Tour Championship. He’s since retired, lived a quiet life with his beloved wife Virginia (Julie Bowen), and raised five children. But tragedy strikes early — Virginia’s passing sends Happy into a spiral of grief and booze. He loses the house his grandma once lived in and ends up in a rehab facility.
Now broke, semi-sober, and trying to be a good dad, Happy learns his daughter Vienna (played by Sandler’s real-life daughter, Sunny Sandler) has been accepted into the Paris Opera Ballet School. The catch? It’ll cost a cool $300,000.
Determined to support her dreams, Happy dusts off the Bruins jersey, grabs his hockey-stick putter, and reenters the world of competitive golf. But golf has changed — a lot.
Old-School Golf vs. Maxi Golf Mayhem
Enter the Maxi Golf League, an outrageous, TikTok-fueled parody of LIV Golf, founded by Frank Manatee (Benny Safdie). Think fewer holes, more chaos, and golf designed for the streaming era.
The plot thickens as the U.S. Bank Tour Championship sets the stage for a massive showdown: old-school golfers versus Maxi Golf’s social media superstars. And guess who’s back from the mental hospital? That’s right — Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald), Happy’s arch-nemesis, now leading the rival team.
What follows is part Rocky III, part Space Jam, and all Adam Sandler.
Cameos Galore: Too Much of a Good Thing?
The film is bursting with celebrity cameos: MJF, Becky Lynch, Bad Bunny (as Happy’s hilarious new caddy), Nikki Bella, Eminem, Margaret Qualley, Travis Kelce, Eric Andre, and even Verne Lundquist, who delivers the film’s best deadpan zinger. It’s a true who’s-who of pop culture — sometimes to its detriment.
While these appearances are fun and flashy, they occasionally overshadow the actual narrative. Some gags land; others feel like filler. The movie walks a fine line between nostalgic homage and over-the-top indulgence.
Legacy Sequel Energy… With a Wobbly Finish
The first two acts carry a warm, silly energy that fans of the original will appreciate. The mix of absurd physical comedy, familiar faces, and emotional stakes gives the film an underdog spirit.
But then comes the third act — a chaotic final tournament that feels like a parody of a parody. The tone shifts hard into full-blown cartoon territory, making the emotional payoff feel unearned and jarring. Many fans and critics agree: the Maxi Golf twist goes a bit too far.
Still, amidst the absurdity, there are moments that shine — like Happy’s heartfelt interactions with his daughter and unexpected moments of self-reflection. The film may be uneven, but it’s got soul.
What Works
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Adam Sandler’s charm still works wonders — goofy but lovable
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Heartfelt father-daughter story beneath the madness
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Nostalgia overload: from iconic catchphrases to deep-cut callbacks
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Bad Bunny as Oscar the caddy is a scene-stealer
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Cameos that occasionally hit comedic gold
What Doesn’t
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Overstuffed third act derails the emotional payoff
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Maxi Golf feels like a stretch — even for this universe
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Some cameos are more distracting than delightful
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The pacing lags in the middle
Where to Watch Happy Gilmore 2 Online
Happy Gilmore 2 is available exclusively on Netflix in the U.S. and worldwide. You’ll need a subscription, but with this much celebrity-packed chaos and nostalgia, it might just be worth the drive.
Final Verdict: Should You Watch It?
If you’re expecting high art or even a coherent plot, look elsewhere. But if you’re a fan of the original Happy Gilmore, enjoy dumb but heartfelt comedies, or just want to see Sandler and friends having the time of their lives, then Happy Gilmore 2 is your ticket to a good time.
It’s not as tight or groundbreaking as the original, but it’s got enough heart, laughs, and golf club-swinging absurdity to warrant a watch. Especially if you’re already a Netflix subscriber.
So, should you revisit the green with Happy one more time? Absolutely — just keep your expectations in check. Fire up Netflix, grab some snacks, and let Happy Gilmore 2 drive you down memory lane (with a few detours).
Watch now on Netflix
Drop your thoughts in the comments: Is Happy still your guy, or should he have stayed retired?
