In 1996,Adam Sandlerchanged the game — literally — withHappy Gilmore, a wild, foul-mouthed sports comedy about a failed hockey playerwho channels his rage into becoming an unlikely golf star. Armed with a slapshot swing and zero etiquette, Happy took on snobby country clubs, rival pros, and an alligator — and somehow made golf cool for a generation raised on slapstick and smack talk. The film became an instant cult classic, catapulting Sandler into leading man status and embedding lines like“The price is wrong, bitch”and“Just tap it in”into the comedy lexicon. Nearly 30 years later, Happy’s coming out of retirement. As part ofCollider’s Exclusive Previewevent, we spoke with directorKyle Newacheck(Workaholics,Murder Mystery) aboutHappy Gilmore 2, which tees off on Netflix July 07, 2025.
With Sandler back in the lead — and co-writing alongside longtime collaboratorTim Herlihy— the sequel isn’t a nostalgia trip or a cheap gimmick. It’s a full-on golf event, packed with major sports cameos and some heartfelt tributes along the way, as Newacheck explains:
“I was constantly reminded what an impact the firstHappy Gilmorehas had on so many generations. My desire to be a filmmaker can be traced directly back to watchingHappy Gilmoreas a kid. So it wasn’t surprising that people said yes, but it was amazing how loudly they said it. We had the best golfers in the world put aside their rivalries to join in and have fun on this one.Happy brings people together.”
That cast includes a who’s-who of professional golf and pop culture, withScottie Scheffler,Rory McIlroy,Justin Thomas,Bryson DeChambeau,Paige Spiranac,Travis Kelce,Ethan Cutkosky,Philip Schneider,Blake Clark,Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio (Bad Bunny),MJF,and evenJohn Dalyappearing alongside returning starsJulie Bowen,Christopher McDonald,Ben Stiller, and of course, Sandler himself. There’s also a new generation of Gilmores, played bySunny Sandler,MaxwellJacobFriedman,EthanCutkosky,PhilipSchneider, andConorSherry, rounding out the chaos. And yes, there will be a tribute to the late, greatCarl Weathers, who played Happy’s iconic mentor, Chubbs Peterson.
“you’re able to’t makeHappy Gilmorewithout Chubbs Peterson, it doesn’t exist. You can be assured his spirit is throughout the film. He may not be by Happy’s side anymore, but he’s on his shoulder.”
When asked how far Sandler can actually drive the ball these days, Newacheck revealed that he’s actually got the best golf swing among the cast, “Without movie magic? Somewhere around 780 yards. And with a distance like that, no other member of the cast competes. Sorry, Scottie.”
The Cast of ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ Is a Dream Come True
There were no scheduling nightmares or surprise pass-ups, either. According to Newacheck, the cast came together like a dream, with the influence of Sandler’s work from 30 years ago lingering to the point that half the PGA Tour wanted to jump on board. He explained, “Everyone we asked jumped at the opportunity to be a part of it.It was a dream process, to have people lining up to be in the movie.” And while there’s a lot of buzz around a potential celebrity brawl in the film — one name that keeps popping up?Drew Carey,the latest host ofThe Price is Right.Will Carey be the latest to feel the wrath of Happy’s temper, following in the footsteps ofBob Barker? However, Newacheck won’t be giving away that surprise if it is in the film. He told Collider:
“As a Happy Gilmore fan, I agree that would be super sick. As the Director of Happy Gilmore 2, I will not be spoiling this film in the slightest.”
Happy Gilmore 2opens on Netflix onJuly 25, 2025. Start working on your short game. And don’t forget to bring your hockey stick. Keep checking back throughout the week as we debut exclusive looks at the hottest summer releases.
Happy Gilmore 2
