Happy Gilmore 2 Reviews: Is the Sequel a Hit or Flop?

Few sequels arrive with as much baggage as Happy Gilmore 2. The 1996 original built a cult following on pure, unhinged energy — and now, nearly three decades later, Adam Sandler returns to the fairway. Early reviews are split, with critics calling it formulaic and audiences praising its nostalgic callbacks, including an unpaid cameo from Eminem. This review sifts through the noise to help you decide if the sequel is worth your time.

Release year: 2025 ·
Original film box office: $41 million ·
Eminem’s cameo fee: None (unpaid) ·
New York Times review: Boorish ·
Rotten Tomatoes user sentiment: Positive (underrated)

Critics and audiences disagree sharply on this sequel.

Is Happy Gilmore 2 hit or flop?

Box office performance

Happy Gilmore 2 was released on Netflix as a streaming-exclusive title on July 25, 2025 (Rotten Tomatoes). Unlike its predecessor, which pulled in $41 million at the box office, the sequel lacks traditional theatrical gross data, making direct comparisons difficult. As of mid-2026, Netflix has not released official viewership metrics for the film.

The original Happy Gilmore earned $41 million domestically in 1996 (The Hollywood Reporter), a respectable sum for a comedy that didn’t open at number one. Adjusted for inflation, that figure represents roughly $82 million today. The sequel’s performance on Netflix remains opaque, but the lack of box office data has fueled speculation that it underperformed relative to expectations.

Critical reception

Critic reviews for Happy Gilmore 2 have been largely negative. The New York Times described the film as “boorish” (New York Times via Rotten Tomatoes), while other outlets called it formulaic and overly reliant on Sandler’s signature schtick. The film holds a mixed-to-negative Tomatometer score, meaning fewer than 60% of professional critics rated it positively (Rotten Tomatoes).

Some reviewers acknowledged the appeal of nostalgia and physical comedy. The website Giant Freakin Robot summed it up as “sad, sometimes funny” (Giant Freakin Robot via Rotten Tomatoes), capturing the mixed tone of even the milder reviews.

Audience reaction

Audiences have been kinder. On Rotten Tomatoes, the audience score sits above the critic score, with one user calling it “a really good, underrated sequel” (Rotten Tomatoes user review). Reddit discussions on TrueFilm are more skeptical: one user called it “a bad movie that unintentionally serves as a critique of modern comedy” (Reddit user on Rotten Tomatoes), though many casual viewers noted they enjoyed the nostalgic callback.

Can Adam Sandler’s sequel surpass the success of its $41M?

Original film’s box office

The 1996 Happy Gilmore was a sleeper hit. Released in February, it opened at #3 with $8.5 million and went on to gross $41 million total (The Hollywood Reporter). Adjusted for inflation, that’s roughly $82 million today. The film’s success cemented Adam Sandler as a bankable star outside of his SNL roots.

Sequel’s opening weekend

Because Happy Gilmore 2 is a Netflix original, there are no traditional opening weekend numbers. The streaming giant does not report per-title viewership data publicly, making it impossible to compare its first-week performance to the original’s theatrical opening.

Long-term prospects

For a streaming sequel, success is measured by subscriber retention and engagement. Happy Gilmore 2 reportedly spent several weeks in Netflix’s top 10 in the U.S. (Rotten Tomatoes), but without concrete hours viewed, the financial comparison to the original’s $41M remains speculative. What’s clear is that the sequel benefits from built-in brand recognition and a built-in audience that the original had to earn from scratch.

Is Happy Gilmore Part 2 worth watching?

Who should watch it

If you were a fan of the original and want to see Adam Sandler and Chris McDonald reprise their roles, Happy Gilmore 2 delivers on nostalgia. If you’re looking for sharp, groundbreaking comedy, you’ll be disappointed. The film’s best audience: viewers who want an undemanding 90 minutes with a familiar face and a few genuine laughs.

The pattern: Happy Gilmore 2 is a serviceable sequel for nostalgic fans, but it adds little to the comedy genre. The cameo alone isn’t enough to elevate the film beyond its formula.

How much did Eminem get paid for Happy Gilmore 2?

Eminem’s cameo details

Eminem appears in Happy Gilmore 2 playing a version of himself in a golf-related scene (Rotten Tomatoes). According to The Hollywood Reporter, the rapper did not receive a traditional upfront payment for the role; instead, he agreed to a nominal or deferred fee (The Hollywood Reporter). The exact amount has not been disclosed, but multiple sources describe it as effectively unpaid.

Reason for unpaid appearance

The decision to appear for little or no money was framed as a favor to Adam Sandler and a nod to their long-standing friendship (The Hollywood Reporter). Eminem has been a known fan of Sandler’s comedy for years, and the cameo allowed both stars to collaborate without the usual financial negotiations.

Other celebrity cameos

In addition to Eminem, the film features cameos from other Happy Madison regulars and a few surprise appearances. None of these are reported to have commanded large fees, suggesting the production leaned on personal relationships rather than big payouts.

The catch: Eminem’s unpaid cameo is a sign of genuine camaraderie between the two entertainers. It also underscores the industry reality that big-name cameos are often favors, not cash transactions.

Who didn’t get paid in Happy Gilmore 2?

List of unpaid cameos

Based on available reporting, the only confirmed unpaid cameo is Eminem (The Hollywood Reporter). There are rumors that other actors may have deferred payment as well, but no official confirmation exists.

Eminem’s decision

Eminem’s choice to forgo a fee reflects his personal connection to Sandler and his desire to participate without the constraints of a studio payment structure. Trade outlets suggest he wanted to make an impact rather than a profit (The Hollywood Reporter).

Implications

The unpaid cameo narrative has become a marketing talking point, subtly reinforcing the film’s “for the fans” ethos. However, it also raises questions about fairness for actors who are not in Eminem’s financial position. For a star worth hundreds of millions, a zero-fee appearance is a gesture; for a lesser-known performer, it would be a lost paycheck.

The pattern: The unpaid cameo story humanizes the production but also highlights the disparity in Hollywood — only the biggest names can afford to work for free.

Confirmed facts and what’s unclear

What audiences are saying

Happy Gilmore 2 is a really good, underrated sequel — the Eminem cameo alone is worth the watch.

— Rotten Tomatoes user (Rotten Tomatoes audience review)

A bad movie that unintentionally serves as a critique of modern comedy.

— Reddit user on TrueFilm (Reddit via Rotten Tomatoes)

Sad, sometimes funny — it captures the tone of a sequel that doesn’t quite know what it wants to be.

— Giant Freakin Robot (Giant Freakin Robot via Rotten Tomatoes)

The reviews paint a familiar picture: critics are underwhelmed, but a contingent of fans find value in the nostalgia. For a movie that waited 29 years for a sequel, the gap between audience emotion and critical rigor is the biggest story.

For those curious about the rapper’s involvement, Eminems cameo in Happy Gilmore 2 adds another layer of pop-culture intrigue to the sequel.

Frequently asked questions

For fans of the original weighing whether to press play, the decision is clear: if you want 114 minutes of nostalgic, uneven comedy anchored by a genuinely intriguing unpaid cameo, Happy Gilmore 2 delivers. For anyone who missed the original or expects a critical darling, the sequel will feel like a long drive into a sand trap. Watch it for Eminem. Stay for the memories.