Happy Gilmore 2 Surpasses 46.7 Million Views, Sets Netflix U.S. Record

The Return of Happy Gilmore

Adam Sandler’s long-awaited sequel, "Happy Gilmore 2," made a triumphant return to the spotlight. The film debuted on Netflix on July 25 and quickly climbed to the top of the platform's list of Top 10 English language movies. For the week of July 21 through 27, the movie generated an impressive 46.7 million views, making it the biggest U.S. opening weekend for a Netflix film ever and the best performance for one of Sandler’s movies.

This success marks a significant milestone in the streaming era, as "Happy Gilmore 2" not only outperformed previous releases but also solidified Sandler’s continued relevance in the comedy genre. The original "Happy Gilmore," which is also available on Netflix, maintained its position at No. 3 on the global top 10 list with 11.4 million views, showing that the franchise still has a strong following.

A Legacy Revisited

The first "Happy Gilmore" was released nearly 30 years ago and grossed $40 million at the box office. It helped establish Sandler as one of the most recognizable comedy stars of his generation. The film followed the titular character, a former hockey player with anger management issues who finds success in golf due to his unconventional style. His journey included joining a tournament to save his grandmother’s house from foreclosure.

In the sequel, Happy Gilmore retires from golf after a traumatic incident and turns to alcohol. However, he is inspired to return to the sport to fund his daughter’s expensive ballet school in Paris. This continuation of the story brings back many familiar faces, including Christopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin, the eccentric pro-golfer. New additions to the cast include Benny Safdie, Bad Bunny, Travis Kelce, and Sandler’s real-life family members—Jackie, Sunny, and Sadie.

A Star-Studded Cast

The film also features numerous cameos from well-known personalities. PGA champions Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler make appearances, along with "Hot Ones" host Sean Evans and Food Network star Guy Fieri. These cameos add a unique flair to the movie, blending entertainment with elements of sports and pop culture.

Critics have praised the film, with "Happy Gilmore" receiving a 70% average rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This score is considered a positive reception within Sandler’s filmography, especially when compared to other films like "Billy Madison" (42%) and "Big Daddy" (39%). In a review by DISCOVER TREND, chief film critic Owen Gleiberman described "Happy Gilmore 2" as "a happy orgy of raucous fan-service nostalgia."

Other Highlights on Netflix

On the Top 10 movies list, "KPop Demon Hunters" took the second spot with 26.3 million views in its sixth week. The animated film has now become the most popular Netflix animated release of all time.

In television, "Untamed" remained the number one English language series for the second consecutive week. The murder mystery set in Yosemite National Park attracted 26.1 million views during the week, up from 24.6 million in its debut. The show has been recently renewed for a second season, indicating its continued popularity among viewers.

Meanwhile, "Squid Game" Season 3 held the top spot for non-English language shows for the fifth consecutive week, gaining an additional 4.6 million views. Its consistent performance highlights the global appeal of the series.

Behind the Scenes

Fans of Sandler were also treated to behind-the-scenes insights into the production of "Happy Gilmore 2." In a recent update, Cameron Boyce’s mother expressed her gratitude to Sandler for a tribute in the film. She revealed that Sandler had been strategizing about their next movie together in the days leading up to Boyce’s passing. Additionally, the director and actor defended a major death scene in the first three minutes of the film, calling it a moment that sparked laughter upon discovery.