Happy Gilmore (1996): A Sports Comedy Classic
Happy Gilmore is a 1996 American sports comedy directed by Dennis Dugan and produced by Robert Simonds. Starring Adam Sandler in the title role, the film features an ensemble cast including Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen, and Carl Weathers. The story follows a failed ice hockey player who unexpectedly finds success in professional golf as he tries to save his grandmother’s home from foreclosure. Sandler co-wrote the screenplay with Tim Herlihy, marking their second collaboration after Billy Madison. Released by Universal Pictures, the film achieved commercial success and has since gained a cult following, especially within the golf community.
Plot Summary
The story centers on Happy Gilmore, a short-tempered aspiring hockey player with a talent for fighting and a powerful slapshot. However, his inability to skate hampers his chances of going pro. After another failed tryout, Happy returns home to learn that his grandmother’s house is under threat of foreclosure due to unpaid taxes. Determined to save her home, Happy discovers a hidden talent for golf when he outdrives two movers repossessing his grandmother’s furniture.
Encouraged by former pro golfer Chubbs Peterson, Happy enters a local golf tournament and wins, earning a spot on the professional tour. His unconventional behavior, long drives, and temper tantrums disrupt the traditional golf community, but he quickly gains a fan following. However, his rivalry with arrogant golfer Shooter McGavin intensifies as Shooter becomes increasingly threatened by Happy’s rising popularity.
Throughout the film, Happy receives help from Virginia Venit, the tour’s PR director, who supports his efforts to control his anger and improve his putting. As Happy battles his inner demons and external opponents, he faces a final showdown with Shooter at the Tour Championship. In a dramatic final scene, Happy triumphs, securing his grandmother’s house and cementing his place in golf history.
Cast
•Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore
•Christopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin
•Julie Bowen as Virginia Venit
•Carl Weathers as Chubbs Peterson
•Frances Bay as Grandma Gilmore
•Richard Kiel as Mr. Larson
•Ben Stiller (uncredited) as Hal, the abusive nursing home orderly
Production and Development
Happy Gilmore was the brainchild of Adam Sandler and Tim Herlihy, college roommates who began writing stand-up comedy together before transitioning into screenplays. After Sandler was fired from Saturday Night Live in 1995, he and Herlihy developed Happy Gilmore as a follow-up to their earlier success, Billy Madison. The concept of the film—featuring a hockey player with a talent for golf—stemmed from Sandler’s personal experiences with a childhood friend who excelled at both sports.
While filming primarily took place in British Columbia, notable golf courses such as the Swan-e-set Bay Resort & Country Club were used to create the setting for the film’s professional tournaments. Former pro golfer Mark Lye served as a consultant, helping Sandler and Herlihy capture the essence of the golfing world while balancing the film’s comedic elements.
Box Office Success and Legacy
Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, Happy Gilmore was a box office hit, earning $41.2 million on a modest $12 million budget. Audiences embraced the film’s humor, and it has since become a cult favorite, particularly among golfers and sports comedy enthusiasts. One of the most memorable scenes involves Happy’s fight with game show host Bob Barker, which earned an MTV Movie Award for Best Fight.
The film’s success led to numerous collaborations between Sandler and Dugan in later years, and Happy Gilmore remains a defining film in Sandler’s career.
Cultural Impact and Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 62%, with critics praising Sandler’s comedic performance but offering mixed opinions on the film’s overall tone. However, fans of Sandler’s signature humor have continued to find joy in the film’s irreverent take on professional golf. Happy Gilmore has also developed a following within the golf community, with many professional golfers, including Pádraig Harrington, imitating the famous “Happy Gilmore swing” for fun.
The film’s humor and unconventional approach to the sport have made it a lasting favorite in sports comedy, and it continues to be referenced in pop culture. A sequel to Happy Gilmore is currently set for release in 2025, further cementing the film’s legacy.
Happy Gilmore 2: Everything We Know So Far
Happy Gilmore 2 is an upcoming American sports comedy film directed by Kyle Newacheck and written by Tim Herlihy and Adam Sandler. It serves as the long-awaited sequel to the 1996 classic Happy Gilmore, bringing back fan-favorite characters and introducing new faces to the franchise. The film stars Adam Sandler, Christopher McDonald, and Julie Bowen, all reprising their iconic roles.
Cast and Characters
•Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore
•Christopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin
•Julie Bowen as Virginia Venit
•Nick Swardson
•Benny Safdie
•Bad Bunny
•Margaret Qualley
•Maxwell Jacob Friedman
Additionally, NFL star Travis Kelce and professional golfer John Daly are set to make cameo appearances, adding to the excitement surrounding the film.
Development and Announcement
In March 2024, Christopher McDonald, who plays the antagonist Shooter McGavin, confirmed that a sequel to Happy Gilmore was in development. He shared that Adam Sandler had already shown him a draft of the script. By May 2024, Netflix officially greenlit the project, taking over distribution duties from Universal Pictures, the studio behind the original film. Kyle Newacheck, known for his work on Murder Mystery and Game Over, Man!, was tapped to direct, while Sandler and Herlihy returned to co-write the screenplay.
The film’s cast continued to grow with the addition of Nick Swardson, who announced his involvement in July. By August, Benny Safdie, a rising star known for his work in Uncut Gems, joined the cast, along with cameos confirmed for Travis Kelce. In September, Bad Bunny, Margaret Qualley, and Maxwell Jacob Friedman were added to the ensemble, with McDonald and Bowen officially confirmed to reprise their roles as Shooter McGavin and Virginia Venit.
Filming and Production
Principal photography for Happy Gilmore 2 began on September 9, 2024, coinciding with Adam Sandler’s 58th birthday. Filming is primarily taking place in various locations across New Jersey, including:
•A country club in Bedminster
•A burger shop in Garfield
•A golf center in Hackettstown
•A nail salon in Maplewood
•A beach in Middletown
•A deli in Millburn
•A French restaurant in Montclair
•A cafe in Morristown
•A public school in Newark
•Seton Hall University in South Orange
•A golf club in West Orange
•Verona Town Hall in Verona Township
Release and Expectations
Happy Gilmore 2 has been one of the most anticipated comedy sequels, following years of fan speculation and interest in seeing Sandler reprise one of his most beloved roles. With a mix of returning cast members and fresh talent, the film is expected to deliver the same blend of sports humor, heartwarming moments, and quirky characters that made the original a cult favorite. The film is set for release in 2025, exclusively on Netflix.
With production well underway and a star-studded cast, Happy Gilmore 2 is shaping up to be a worthy sequel, bringing new excitement to a beloved franchise while paying homage to its comedic roots. Stay tuned for more updates as the release date approaches!
