Happy Gilmore 2 Explained: Everything You Need to Know About the Netflix Sequel

Wait. It actually happened. After thirty years of "Gold Jacket, Green Jacket" jokes and people trying to do the running-start golf swing at their local muni, Happy Gilmore 2 is a real thing. It’s not just a rumor on a message board or a "what if" from a late-night talk show. The movie officially landed on Netflix on July 25, 2025, and honestly, the production was kind of a whirlwind.

If you’ve been looking for the Happy Gilmore 2 wiki or just trying to figure out if Shooter McGavin is still a jerk, you're in the right spot. This isn't just a quick cash grab. Adam Sandler and his team spent over $150 million filming this thing in New Jersey. That's a lot of Subway sandwiches.

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The Plot: Happy’s Back and It’s a Bit Heavy

You’d think after winning the Tour Championship and saving his grandma’s house, Happy would be living the high life. But life comes at you fast. In the sequel, we find out that Happy actually retired from golf years ago.

Why? Because of a tragedy. The movie reveals that Happy accidentally killed Virginia Venit in 2014 when one of his massive drives hit her in the head. It sounds dark because it is. He quit the game, fell into a deep depression, and struggled with alcoholism. Basically, he lost everything.

So, how do we get back to the golf course? Money. It’s always money. Happy has a daughter named Vienna (played by Sunny Sandler) who is a gifted dancer. She gets accepted into a prestigious ballet school in Paris, but the tuition is a staggering $75,000 a year. To pay for her dreams, Happy has to put the Boston Bruins jersey back on and face his demons on the green.

Who Is in the Happy Gilmore 2 Cast?

The cast list for this movie is absolutely wild. It’s like Sandler just opened his contact list and invited everyone.

The Returning Legends

• Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore: Older, grittier, but still has that legendary temper.
• Christopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin: He’s back, and apparently, he’s spent some time in a mental health facility after his breakdown at the end of the first movie.
• Julie Bowen as Virginia Venit: Wait, didn't I just say she died? Yes, but she appears in visions and flashbacks.
• Ben Stiller as Hal L.: The terrifying nursing home orderly is now leading a support group for alcoholics.

The New Blood

The sequel brings in some heavy hitters from music and sports. Benny Safdie plays Frank Manatee, the CEO of Maxi Energy Drink, who wants Happy to join his new "Maxi Golf" league. Bad Bunny shows up as Oscar Mejías, Happy’s new caddie who dreams of owning a restaurant.

Even Travis Kelce and Eminem make appearances. Eminem plays Donald Floyd Jr., the son of the guy who heckled Happy in the original. It’s a meta-narrative that somehow works.

Where Was Happy Gilmore 2 Filmed?

Unlike the first movie, which was shot mostly in British Columbia, the sequel is all about New Jersey. They filmed across nine different counties in late 2024. If you’re a golf nerd, you might recognize some of these spots:

1. Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in Bedminster: This was the main hub for the tournament scenes.
2. Montclair Golf Club: Used for those classic clubhouse vibes and rival showdowns.
3. Ideal Beach in Middletown: There's a scene where Happy practices his swing on the sand, launching balls into the ocean.
4. Rockleigh Golf Course: A public course used to show Happy’s "man of the people" roots.

The production reportedly spent $152.5 million in the state, making it one of the biggest film projects New Jersey has ever seen.

What Fans Are Getting Wrong

There’s a lot of misinformation floating around the Happy Gilmore 2 wiki pages and social media.

First, people keep asking if Richard Kiel (Mr. Larson) is back. Sadly, Richard passed away in 2014. The movie addresses this by introducing his son, Drago Larson, played by NBA giant Boban Marjanović. It’s a touching tribute to the "big guy."

Second, this isn't a theatrical release. Don't go looking for showtimes at your local AMC. This is a Netflix Exclusive.

Finally, the tone. Some people expected a 1:1 remake of the 1996 comedy. It’s not. It’s got a lot more "heart" and deals with aging and grief, though there are still plenty of scenes where Happy hits people with golf clubs or screams at a ball to "go home."

The Cameos You Might Miss

Sandler movies are famous for their cameos, but this one is on another level. Look out for:

• John Daly: He’s playing a fictionalized version of himself who lives in Happy’s garage.
• Lee Trevino: The legend returns to give Shooter more grief.
• Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy: Actual pro golfers showing they can hold their own in a comedy.
• Alix Earle and Guy Fieri: Because why not?

How to Watch It Right Now

If you have a Netflix account, you can stream Happy Gilmore 2 right now. It has a runtime of 118 minutes.

Actionable Next Steps

• Check the Netflix "New & Popular" tab: It should be right at the top if you haven't seen it yet.
• Rewatch the 1996 original first: There are so many tiny Easter eggs (like the Subway sponsorship and the hockey-stick putter) that you’ll enjoy the sequel much more if the first one is fresh in your mind.
• Look for the Cameron Boyce tribute: Adam Sandler included a subtle nod to the late actor during the credits, which is a nice touch for long-time fans of the Happy Madison family.

The movie isn't perfect—it currently has "mixed" reviews—but if you grew up watching Happy fight a Bob Barker (RIP), seeing him back on the course feels like a warm hug from a very angry friend.