The highly anticipated sequel, Happy Gilmore 2, held its star-studded premiere in New York City, generating significant buzz just days before its global release on Netflix. The event was highlighted by a tweet from actor Christopher McDonald, reprising his role as the antagonist Shooter McGavin, who posted, "Happy Gilmore 2 premiere tonight in NYC. Almost showtime." This social media announcement underscored the immediate excitement surrounding the film's debut.
The film sees Adam Sandler's titular character return to the golf course nearly three decades after his 1996 cult classic debut. This time, Happy Gilmore comes out of retirement to fund his daughter Vienna's ballet school tuition, marking a new, albeit "a bit of a mess," chapter for the beloved golfer. The storyline promises a blend of familiar antics and a fresh purpose for the character.
Key original cast members, including Julie Bowen as Virginia Venit (now Happy's wife) and Ben Stiller as Hal, join Sandler and McDonald in their reprised roles. The sequel also features notable new additions, broadening its appeal with appearances from musician Bad Bunny, NFL star Travis Kelce, and actors Margaret Qualley, Eric Andre, and Post Malone. This mix of returning favorites and fresh faces has further fueled anticipation.
Directed by Kyle Newacheck and co-written by Sandler and Tim Herlihy, Happy Gilmore 2 is a Netflix exclusive, scheduled to stream worldwide on July 25, 2025. Netflix officially greenlit the film in May 2024, following years of fan speculation and an accidental early reveal by McDonald. The New York City premiere saw prominent attendees, including British Open champion Scottie Scheffler, further cementing the film's cultural impact even before its official release.