Adam Sandler just teed up Happy Gilmore 2's full trailer at Netflix's Tudum event, and the golf world—nay, the internet—is losing its damn mind. Nearly 30 years after the 1996 cult classic, Sandler's back as the hockey-player-turned-golf-pro, scruffier, grumpier, and ready to brawl on the green. But here's the kicker: this isn't just a nostalgic cash grab. The trailer hints at a sequel that's smarter, weirder, and maybe even funnier than the original.
Why This Could Be a Game-Changer (Or a Total Shank)
Let's talk stakes. This sequel's budget? Rumored to rival a mid-tier Marvel flick—think $100M, enough to build an actual golf course and sink Sandler's iconic slapshot swing into CGI glory. The trailer's got it all: Bad Bunny as a caddy with zero chill, Julie Bowen reprising her role as Virginia, and Christopher McDonald's Shooter McGavin still scheming like a discount Lex Luthor. It's Happy Gilmore meets Caddyshack—if Caddyshack had Travis Kelce cameo as a golf bro.
The insane detail? Bad Bunny's casting isn't just stunt-casting nonsense. He's a legit golfer, spotted at Puerto Rico's swankiest courses, bringing an authenticity that could ground Sandler's unhinged energy. Compare that to, say, Space Jam 2, where LeBron's charisma drowned in a sea of corporate cameos. Happy Gilmore 2 feels like it's playing to win, not just to sell merch.
The Hidden Drive
Dig deeper, and the trailer's a masterclass in subverting expectations. The original Happy Gilmore was a middle finger to golf's stuffy elitism, with Sandler's everyman rage resonating in a pre-Tiger Woods era. Fast forward to 2025, and golf's cultural stock is skyrocketing—think LIV Golf's Saudi-backed billions and TikTok's golf influencer boom. The trailer leans into this, poking fun at golf's new glitz while keeping Happy's blue-collar soul. One scene shows him facing off against a drone filming his swing—modern tech vs. old-school grit. It's a sly nod to today's sports media circus.
Historical context? Look at Cobra Kai, the Karate Kid sequel series that revived a dormant franchise by blending nostalgia with fresh stakes. Like Cobra Kai, Happy Gilmore 2 seems to know its audience—fans who quote “The price is wrong, bitch” but crave something new. Unlike, say, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, which leaned too hard on fan service, this trailer balances callbacks (Shooter's smug grin) with surprises (Margaret Qualley as a golf prodigy?). A Netflix insider allegedly whispered, “Sandler's been tweaking the script for years—he's obsessed with not screwing this up.”
For perspective, let's rewind. The past decade's comedy sequels—Zoolander 2 (2016), Anchorman 2 (2013)—often flopped by recycling old gags without heart. Happy Gilmore 2's trailer, though, feels alive, with director Kyle Newacheck (Workaholics) injecting a chaotic, modern edge. It's not just a sequel; it's a commentary on how golf, and Sandler himself, have evolved.
The Final Putt
Genius or garbage? The trailer's a love letter to fans, packed with enough fresh swings to avoid feeling like a dusty VHS re-run. But it's a tightrope—lean too hard into nostalgia, and it's Zoolander 2 all over again. Go too wild, and it alienates the “go to your home” diehards. Would you stream this on July 25th or yeet your Netflix subscription into the void? Fight in the comments.
