You’ve heard the rumors, seen the grainy set photos from New Jersey, and probably wondered if the magic of 1996 could actually be bottled up again. Honestly, the buzz around the Happy Gilmore 2 cast has been a bit of a circus. People keep asking if Bob Barker is magically appearing or if Chubbs is back from the dead. Let’s get real: some things change, and some things stay exactly as petty as they were thirty years ago.
The movie hit Netflix on July 25, 2025, and it’s basically a massive family reunion mixed with a "who's who" of modern sports and music. It isn't just a sequel; it’s a chaotic, $150 million bet on nostalgia.
The Heavy Hitters: Who Actually Came Back?
First off, Adam Sandler is back as Happy. Obviously. He’s older, he’s got five kids now, and he’s apparently been retired from the pro circuit for a decade. But the real gold is in the rivalries. Christopher McDonald returned as Shooter McGavin, and he’s just as much of a "jackass" as you remember.
There was a lot of talk about whether Shooter would still have that same edge. He does. After spending nearly three decades in a mental institution (thanks to that mental breakdown at the end of the first flick), he’s out and ready to ruin Happy’s life again.
Julie Bowen is back as Virginia Venit, too. But here’s the twist: the movie reveals she actually passed away before the main events of the sequel. You see her in "Happy Place" visions and flashbacks—some of which used that de-aging tech that makes everyone look like they’re back on the set of Modern Family.
The OG Crew
- Ben Stiller: He’s back as the abusive orderly, Hal L. He’s moved on from the nursing home and now runs an "Alkies for Life" support group.
- Kevin Nealon: Gary Potter is still as eccentric and "zen" as ever.
- Dennis Dugan: The original director reprises his role as Doug Thompson, the tour commissioner.
- Steve Buscemi: He plays "Bad Neighbor Pat," Happy’s sketchy new neighbor after Happy loses Grandma’s house (again).
New Faces and Surprising New Roles
The Happy Gilmore 2 cast isn’t just a 90s nostalgia trip. Sandler brought in some heavy hitters from the current generation. Benny Safdie—half of the Safdie brothers who directed Sandler in Uncut Gems—is the main villain this time. He plays Frank Manatee, a sleazy energy drink CEO who started a rival golf league called "Maxi Golf."
Then there’s Bad Bunny. He plays Oscar Mejías, Happy’s new caddie. It’s a surprisingly meaty role. Oscar is a former busboy with dreams of owning a restaurant, which provides a weirdly grounded heart to a movie that features a shirtless Travis Kelce covered in honey.
Wait, let's back up. Yes, Travis Kelce is in this. He plays a mean waiter who fires Bad Bunny's character and eventually shows up in Happy's dreams being attacked by a bear. It’s exactly as weird as it sounds.
The Cameo Explosion
If you blinked, you probably missed five celebrities. This movie has more cameos than a late-night talk show.
- Eminem: He plays the son of the "jackass" heckler from the first movie. It’s a quick, hilarious face-off with Sandler.
- Post Malone: Credited as Austin Post, he plays a commentator named DJ Omar Gosh.
- Kid Cudi: He shows up as an FBI agent toward the end of the film.
- The Golf Pros: This is where it gets crazy. Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods' old rivals, and even Jack Nicklaus show up. John Daly plays a fictionalized, hermit version of himself living in Happy’s garage.
There’s also a big presence from the Sandler family. His daughter Sunny plays Vienna Gilmore, his youngest child who wants to be a professional dancer. His wife Jackie plays the dance instructor, and his other daughter Sadie plays an undercover FBI agent. It's a total family production, which honestly, is just how Sandler rolls these days.
Addressing the Chubbs Elephant in the Room
One of the biggest questions was how they’d handle Carl Weathers (Chubbs) and Bob Barker, both of whom have passed away. The movie handles it with a lot of heart.
They didn't try to CGI them back into major roles. Instead, Happy seeks guidance from Chubbs in heaven, and there’s a massive, literal brawl between Happy and Shooter over the graves of Bob Barker and Chubbs. It sounds disrespectful on paper, but in the context of a Sandler movie, it’s basically a high-five to their legacies.
🔗 Read more: The Real Reason Janet Jackson’s I Get Lonely Changed R\&B Forever
Lavell Crawford plays Slim Peterson, Chubbs' son. He even has the same prosthetic hand gag, though this time it was lost to a vending machine incident instead of an alligator.
How to Watch and What to Expect
If you're looking for a deep, cinematic masterpiece, you’re in the wrong place. But if you want to see a bunch of golf legends and rappers hanging out in a fever dream of 90s comedy, it’s perfect.
- Where to stream: Exclusively on Netflix.
- Run time: 118 minutes.
- Vibe: Heavy on the fan service, light on the logic.
The best way to enjoy the Happy Gilmore 2 cast is to stop trying to track every single cameo. Just sit back and wait for the next random athlete or SNL alum to pop up.
If you're planning a watch party, you might want to brush up on the original 1996 film first. There are dozens of tiny callbacks—like the "You can do it!" guy (Rob Schneider) and the nipple-pinching guy from The Waterboy—that only land if you remember the Sandlerverse lore. Check your Netflix history and give the original a re-watch before diving into the sequel.