Happy Gilmore 2: Sneak Peak

What to Expect (Without Spoilers)

The Set-Up

Nearly 30 years after that unforgettable Tour Championship victory, Happy Gilmore returns to the green to revive his golf career - but this time it’s personal. He’s come out of retirement to support his daughter’s ballet school in Paris. It’s the same edge-of-your-seat sports comedy vibe, but with deeper emotional undertones. 

Tone & Themes

Expect a shift toward a slightly darker emotional space: grief, midlife blues, and occasionally clumsy coping mechanisms (think disguised flasks and grocery-store gags). Yet there's plenty of classic Adam Sandler goofy charm, nostalgia, and heartfelt family themes. Some critics described it as a blend of silly and sweet. 

Returning Faces & Fresh Cameos

• Adam Sandler reprises Happy, with Julie Bowen, Christopher McDonald (Shooter McGavin), and Ben Stiller back in familiar roles. 

• New additions include Bad Bunny as Happy’s chaotic caddie, Lavell Crawford as Chubbs’s son, plus appearances by Margaret Qualley, Benny Safdie, and Sandler’s daughters. 

• Brace for tons of cameos: Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Paige Spiranac, Bryson DeChambeau, John Daly, and even NFL star Travis Kelce, praised for surprising comic timing and natural presence. 

  
  

Easter-Eggs & Callbacks

Trailers hint at playful callbacks to the original film - visual nods, familiar jokes, and details only real fans will spot. At the same time, the film keeps the story fresh, balancing nostalgia with new character arcs. 

Fan Reaction & Critical Glance

• A nostalgic home run for many: Critics praised Sandler’s return to form and found the humor and heartfelt moments effective. IndieWire called it “often quite funny,” while Consequence cited it as a “solid legacy sequel” with new energy.

• Not everyone's cup of tea: Some reviewers (like The Hollywood Reporter and Slash Film) criticized it as over-stuffed with cameos and lacking emotional depth. 

Why You Might’ve Called It Early for a Sneak Peek

• Emotional growth: Happy’s character shows visible change - more grounded, with subtle sadness beneath the bravado.

• Family stakes: His daughter Vienna’s ballet ambition in Paris brings the emotional drive.

• Comedy evolution: Some jokes feel darker, but still undercut with slapstick Sandlerism.

• Star‑studded fun: If you love cameos - especially sports stars - this is packed.

Heads Up, But Not a Spoiler

You’ll face jokes around grief, identity, and the golf world’s elite. Expect fun interactions between Happy and pros like McIlroy, Scheffler, and others. There’s also character-driven humor: between Bad Bunny’s chaotic energy, Hal L. (Ben Stiller) and his support group, and Happy grappling with aging and loss.

It’s not just a golf movie - it’s a story about family, the past catching up, and finding your place again in a world that’s changed.

Principal Cast

• Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore 

• Julie Bowen as Virginia Venit (Happy’s late wife) 

• Christopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin

• Ben Stiller as Hal L. (support group leader) 

• Dennis Dugan as Doug Thompson (tour commissioner, also executive producer)

• Kevin Nealon as Gary Potter (part of Happy’s circle)

• Benny Safdie as Frank Manatee (new comedic antagonist)

• Bad Bunny (Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio) as Oscar, Happy’s chaotic caddie

• Sunny Sandler as Vienna Gilmore (Happy’s daughter)

• Kym Whitley as Bessie (support group member)

Happy’s Children (Happy’s sons)

• Ethan Cutkosky

• Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF)

• Philip Fine Schneider

• Conor SherryThese four play Happy’s sons. 

• Lavell Crawford appears as Slim, the son of Happy’s late mentor Chubbs Peterson, featuring a prosthetic hand cameo element.

• Blake Clark reprises his role as Farmer Fran from The Waterboy, shown in a cameo capacity.

Supporting & Ensemble Performers

• Eric André

• Jim Downey

• John Farley

• Marcello Hernandez

• Oliver Hudson

• Scott Mescudi (Kid Cudi)

• Haley Joel Osment

• Margaret Qualley

• Nick SwardsonThey all appear in various cameo or supporting roles. 

• Sadie Sandler (Adam’s elder daughter) and Jackie Sandler (Adam’s wife) also make appearances.

Major Movie Cameos: Professional Golfers

Included are real-life golf legends and stars with roles ranging from brief appearances to extended scenes:

• Keegan Bradley

• Bryson DeChambeau

• John Daly

• Tony Finau

• Rickie Fowler

• Brooks Koepka

• Nelly Korda

• Nancy Lopez

• Rory McIlroy

• Collin Morikawa

• Jack Nicklaus

• Corey Pavin

• Xander Schauffele

• Paige Spiranac

• Scottie Scheffler

• Jordan Spieth

• Justin Thomas

• Lee Trevino (also appeared in original film)

• Will Zalatoris

Other Celebrity Cameos

• Eminem (as himself)

• Post Malone

• Cam’ron

• NFL stars Travis Kelce and Reggie Bush

• Game-show host Ken Jennings

• Sportscasters Dan Patrick & Verne Lundquist (iconic voices from the first movie return)

• Wrestlers Becky Lynch and Nikki Garcia 

• Additionally, both screenwriter Tim Herlihy and his son Martin Herlihy, plus producer/co‑founder Jack Giarraputo, make cameo appearances.