Happy Gilmore 2

Image from Netflix

So listen—I never thought I’d say the words “Happy Gilmore 2” out loud, let alone voluntarily stream it in my living room. But here we are, post-popcorn, slightly deaf in one ear from my daughter’s laughter, and still trying to explain to that no, throwing a hockey stick is not an appropriate way to express your emotions.

Here’s how it went down:

My little one saw the trailer for Happy Gilmore 2 and was dying to watch it. Like the day it came out. Except, of course, she hadn’t seen the original. And I’m sorry, but there’s just no skipping straight to a sequel. I’m not raising monsters. And honestly, I watched the original in the movies back in middle school! Ok, now I’m dating myself and really just realizing for the first time that the first came out nearly 30 years ago! Wow.

So we did the responsible thing: a double feature. Which meant I had to explain a lot of things, like ‘90s attire and why Adam Sandler yelled so much. (“Did adults back then not believe in therapy?” my teen asked, sipping from her Stanley with the disdain of a retired therapist.)

Fast forward to Happy Gilmore 2. I expected it to be a tired reboot with one too many celebrity cameos (Bad Bunny, Post Malone, Eminem, Travis Kelce, Cam’ron, Kid Cudi, Oliver Hudson, just to name a few). And his own family. My daughter somehow knows who his wife is and who his daughters are. But honestly? I got so excited when I saw a random celebrity, and so did my daughter! And Adam Sandler? It was like watching your chaotic uncle show up to Thanksgiving dinner with slightly better hygiene but the same wild stories. Adam Sandler is back, older and slightly less angry (maturity?), but still flinging golf clubs and insulting people with the poetic rage of a Shakespearean toddler.

There were enough callbacks to the first movie to make me feel like a cool historian, pointing at the screen and whisper-shouting, “That’s Shooter McGavin’s son!” while my kids dramatically rolled their eyes but secretly loved the context.

Highlights:

* The golf cart chase scene. I haven't laughed that hard since someone tried to parallel park in the school pick-up line.

* My daughter actually stopped looking at TikTok to watch the movie. That’s cinematic gold, people.

* She also asked, “So was golf cool back then?” No. But this movie almost made it look like it was.

Final thoughts? Happy Gilmore 2 is chaotic, a little dumb (in the best way), and full of that weird Sandler charm that somehow bridges generations. It’s not Oscar-worthy, but if you want a solid movie night filled with laughter, nostalgia, and a few “Mom, what does that word mean?” moments—this is it.

Just maybe keep the golf clubs out of reach. For everyone's safety.

Highly recommended! But first make the kids watch Happy Gilmore!