Nearly three decades after Adam Sandler first teed off as the hot-tempered hockey player turned golf pro in the 1996 cult classic Happy Gilmore, the sequel has finally arrived. Happy Gilmore 2, directed by Kyle Newacheck and released today on Netflix, sees Sandler reprise his iconic role in a new chapter filled with redemption, rivalry, and absurdity.

The film picks up with Happy facing challenges both on and off the course. Amid personal loss, he finds himself thrust back into the golfing spotlight, squaring off against fresh competition. Returning cast favorites like Christopher McDonald’s Shooter McGavin are joined by a parade of cameos—from music superstars Bad Bunny and Eminem to NFL tight end Travis Kelce—blending 1990s nostalgia with modern spectacle.

But if you were expecting universal acclaim, you’re out of luck. Early reviews are split down the fairway.

Critics Sound Off: Birdie or Bogey?

On Rotten Tomatoes, the early critic score lands squarely in the middle—mirroring the film’s divided reception. As of release day, Happy Gilmore 2 holds a 59% Tomatometer rating based on 32 reviews, signaling mixed reactions from the press. In contrast, audience sentiment is more favorable, with a 74% Popcorn Score from over 500 user ratings—suggesting that while critics are split, fans are more likely to embrace the sequel’s nostalgic chaos.

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While some hail it as fun fan service, others see it as another Sandler misfire.

  • RogerEbert.com calls the sequel “messy and self-indulgent, but often great, stupid, harmless fun,” crediting Sandler with giving fans exactly what they want.
  • The New York Post describes it as “warm and comfortable” and praises Sandler’s singular performance, even if it “falls short of the original’s par.”
  • Empire Magazine says it’s “powerfully difficult to dislike” and notes the inclusion of real-life golf pros adds welcome authenticity.

Not everyone is so generous:

  • The Hollywood Reporter brands it “moronic, witless, and relentlessly vulgar,” declaring the film terrible despite its similarities to the original.
  • ScreenRant says the movie “has its moments but ultimately fails where it counts,” citing a meandering plot and too many distracting cameos.
  • The New York Times observes it “briefly recaptures the warm silliness of the original before devolving into a lazy fever dream.”
  • Deadline applauds the ambitious cast and golf tie-ins but stops short of endorsing it as a worthy follow-up to the 1996 hit.

Social Media Reaction: A Meme-Ready Mixed Bag

Audience feedback on X (formerly Twitter) reflects the critical split, with nostalgic fans cheering its return and skeptics quick to tee off.

  • One viewer praised it as “a solid return” with plenty of laughs, even if “some jokes fall flat.”
  • Another post summed it up as “ridiculous, absurd, silly, and flat-out stupid”—but still admitted, “I enjoyed every last damn second.”
  • Positive takes often highlight the cameos and callbacks. “9/10 for authenticity and not taking itself too seriously,” one fan wrote.

But criticism came just as quickly:

  • “The reviews are in & WOW the movie sounds abysmally bad,” one user tweeted.
  • Another gave it a 5/10, faulting “dumb moments, poor writing, and over-the-top cameos that ruin lines.”
  • A frequent refrain: the film “starts strong but nose-dives off a cliff in the second half,” weighed down by suffocating nostalgia.

Dallas Connection: More Streamable Than Local

While Happy Gilmore 2 has no direct Dallas tie-ins, its golf theme may still strike a chord with locals who frequent area courses like TPC Las Colinas, Dallas National, or Cowboys Golf Club. Still, the film’s absurdist tone and cameo-stuffed screenplay are clearly aimed at streaming audiences, not the PGA crowd.

For longtime Sandler fans, the film might offer just enough laughs and callbacks to justify the runtime. For others, it may feel like a swing and a miss.

Bottom Line

Happy Gilmore 2 is exactly what you’d expect from a Sandler sequel in 2025: nostalgic, chaotic, and divisive. Whether that’s a birdie or bogey depends entirely on your sense of humor—and your tolerance for throwback cameos.

Now streaming on Netflix. Decide for yourself: Is Happy back in his happy place, or should this one have stayed in the sand trap?