Honestly, it’s hard to remember a time when Adam Sandler wasn’t just there. He’s like that comfortable hoodie you’ve had since high school—maybe it has a few holes now, but you aren’t throwing it away. But if you thought he was ready to retire to a golf course and just fade out, you haven't been paying attention. The guy is actually speeding up.
Between his massive Netflix deal and his weirdly successful pivot into "serious actor" territory, the slate for new Adam Sandler movies is actually kind of packed. He recently joked at the 2026 AARP Movies for Grownups Awards that he plans to make 50 more movies before he's done.
Fifty.
He even promised that at least 25 of them would be good. That’s a bold ratio for the man who gave us Jack and Jill, but hey, we're talking about the guy who also gave us Uncut Gems.
The Big One: Happy Gilmore 2 and the Nostalgia Trap
Let’s be real. This is the one everyone is actually talking about. After years of rumors and "maybe one day" quotes, Happy Gilmore 2 finally became a reality. It hit Netflix on July 25, 2025, and the budget was reportedly a staggering $152 million. Think about that for a second. That is "superhero movie" money for a guy hitting a golf ball.
The plot picks up with Happy returning to the pro circuit because—and this is a bit dark for a Sandler flick—he’s trying to pay for his daughter’s ballet school after his wife passed away. It’s got that classic Happy Madison mix of "I'm crying" and "I'm laughing at a guy getting hit in the face with a club."
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The cameos are basically a fever dream. You’ve got:
- Travis Kelce (because of course)
- Bad Bunny
- Eminem
- Kid Cudi
- Benny Safdie (playing a "juicy" role, according to Sandler)
It’s nostalgic, sure. But it also feels like Sandler is finally leaning into the "Elder Statesman of Comedy" role. He even included a tribute to the late Cameron Boyce, which was a nice touch that most people didn't expect from a movie about a guy with a hockey temper.
Don't Say Good Luck: The Next 2026 Release
If you're looking for what's next on the 2026 calendar, keep an eye out for Don't Say Good Luck. This one is interesting because Sandler is moving more into the producer seat here, letting his daughter, Sunny Sandler, take the lead.
It’s a teen musical comedy-drama. Sounds a bit like the Bat Mitzvah movie they did a couple of years back, right? Sunny plays Sophie, a theater kid whose life gets messy just as she’s about to land her big high school lead.
What makes this worth watching isn't just the Sandler family connection. The cast is actually stacked with "prestige" talent like Melanie Lynskey and Steve Buscemi. It’s directed by Julia Hart, who usually does much more grounded, indie-feeling stuff. It’s scheduled for a 2026 release on Netflix, and it'll probably be one of those movies that parents and kids actually agree to watch together without a fight.
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The "Serious" Sandler: Jay Kelly and Beyond
We have to talk about the Safdie brothers' influence. Even though Josh and Benny are doing solo projects now, their DNA is all over Sandler’s current trajectory.
Sandler is starring in Jay Kelly, a Noah Baumbach film that’s expected to be a major awards contender in 2026. He plays a talent manager traveling through Europe with an actor played by George Clooney. Yeah, Clooney and Sandler. It’s the duo we didn't know we needed. There’s already buzz that this could land Sandler back in the Oscar conversation, especially after the Venice Film Festival premiere.
What happened to the Josh Safdie Baseball Movie?
This is the one that keeps getting "shelved" and then brought back to life like a movie monster. It’s a high-stakes thriller set in the world of high-end sports memorabilia and 90s NYC baseball. It was supposed to start filming years ago, but the strikes and scheduling issues killed the momentum.
Sandler recently told IndieWire that the script is "crazy" and "very long." He’s still hopeful it’ll happen. If it does, expect it to be more Uncut Gems anxiety and less Grown Ups vibes.
Why He’s Still the King of Netflix
It’s easy to poke fun at the "Sandlerverse," but the numbers don't lie. His deal with Netflix—valued at upwards of $275 million—is basically the backbone of the streamer's movie library.
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The algorithm loves him. If you watch a dark comedy like Parasite, Netflix will somehow suggest Hubie Halloween to you. It’s weird, but it works. He’s found a way to bridge the gap between "dumb fun" and "high art" better than almost anyone else in Hollywood.
There are also rumblings about a Hustle 2. While nothing is set in stone, the first one was such a massive hit (both with critics and fans) that it’s almost a no-brainer for Netflix to push for a sequel.
Actionable Steps for the Sandman Fan
If you want to stay ahead of the curve on new Adam Sandler movies, here is how to actually track his chaotic release schedule:
- Check the "Happy Madison" Production Slate: Often, the movies Sandler produces but doesn't star in (like Don't Say Good Luck) give a hint about his creative direction.
- Watch the A24/Netflix Crossover: Keep an eye on anything involving Benny or Josh Safdie. Even if they aren't directing, they are frequently consulting or acting in Sandler's projects.
- Set Alerts for "Noah Baumbach" Projects: Since Jay Kelly is his next big "prestige" move, this is where you'll see the serious Sandler we saw in The Meyerowitz Stories.
- Monitor the July/December Windows: Netflix almost always drops their biggest Sandler titles in the heat of summer or right around Christmas.
The days of Sandler just being the guy who makes "poop jokes" are over. Well, mostly over. He’s still going to give us the occasional Grown Ups 3 (which is rumored to be in development), but he’s also becoming one of the most interesting dramatic actors of the 2020s. Whether you're here for the golf sequels or the European road trips with George Clooney, the Sandman isn't going anywhere.
Keep an eye on the 2026 release calendar; it's going to be a busy year for the guy in the oversized basketball shorts.