Adam Sandler is back on the green, and for many of us, this is the ultimate nostalgia bait. But before you hit "play" with the whole family on a Friday night, here’s what you need to know:
- The Vibe: Happy Gilmore 2 is a mix of 90s slapstick and some surprisingly heavy "grown-up" themes like grief and sobriety.
- The Content: Expect the classic Sandler "crude humor" (mooning, suggestive jokes, and pixelated nudity) plus a significant amount of swearing. It’s a hard PG-13.
- The Verdict: Great for teens who can handle the "edgy" humor and parents who want to relive the glory days. For the under-12 crowd, you might want to stick to Leo or Hotel Transylvania.
See our full list of kid-friendly Adam Sandler movies
If you somehow missed the 90s, the original Happy Gilmore is the story of a failed hockey player with a massive temper and an even bigger drive. He discovers he can hit a golf ball approximately a mile and joins the pro tour to win enough money to save his grandmother’s house from the IRS. It gave us the iconic "The Price is Right" fight with Bob Barker and taught an entire generation that "it's all in the hips."
Fast forward nearly 30 years, and Netflix has released Happy Gilmore 2. This time, Happy is older, "thicker" (Sandler's words, not mine), and struggling. He’s grieving the loss of his wife, Virginia, and dealing with a relapse into alcoholism. The stakes? He needs to get back on the tour to pay for his daughter Vienna’s (played by Sandler’s real-life daughter, Sunny) elite ballet school tuition.
We’re seeing a massive trend of "legacy sequels"—think Top Gun: Maverick or Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. These movies are designed to pull in parents who loved the original while trying to hook a new generation with cameos from people like Bad Bunny, Travis Kelce, and Benny Safdie.
For intentional parents, the "nostalgia trap" is real. We remember Happy Gilmore as "that funny golf movie," but we often forget that 90s PG-13 was... a lot. When we show these to our kids, we’re often surprised by the amount of "casual" crude humor that we just tuned out back then.
Check out our guide on navigating 90s movie nostalgia with modern kids
If you're wondering if Happy Gilmore 2 is "brain rot" or actual cinema, it's firmly in the middle. It’s a classic Sandler "Happy Madison" production, which means it’s high on heart but also high on "bathroom humor."
The Humor & Nudity
This isn't Bluey. The movie features:
- Rear Nudity: Multiple scenes of "mooning" (it’s a recurring gag).
- Pixelated Nudity: A scene involving a streaker on the golf course.
- Suggestive Jokes: References to condoms, "Happy's imagination" involving lingerie, and some fairly crude anatomical jokes involving household objects.
The Language
If your family has a "no swearing" rule, this is a skip. The sequel has over 50 expletives, including a couple of F-bombs. It’s definitely "edgier" than your average Disney+ original.
The Heavy Stuff: Sobriety and Grief
This is where the movie takes a turn from the original. Happy is dealing with alcoholism. It’s handled with some redemptive themes—he wants to get sober for his daughter—but it’s a central plot point. If your family has a history with these issues, it could be a trigger or a great conversation starter, depending on the age of your kids.
Ages 5-9: Skip It
Even though kids this age love the slapstick "guy gets hit with a golf ball" humor, the themes of alcoholism, the constant swearing, and the sexual innuendo will go way over their heads or lead to some awkward questions at school. Better Alternative: Leo — it’s Sandler at his most charming and actually kid-focused.
Ages 10-12: Proceed with Caution
This is the "gray area." If your kid is already into "older" YouTube content or has seen other Sandler movies like Hubie Halloween, they’ll probably be fine, but you’ll want to be in the room. Be prepared to explain why "mooning" isn't a great idea at the local park.
Ages 13+: The Target Audience
Teens will likely enjoy the cameos (Bad Bunny and Travis Kelce are huge draws) and the underdog story. The "edgy" humor is standard for this age group's digital diet.
Ask our chatbot for more PG-13 movies that are safe for 12-year-olds
If you do decide to watch Happy Gilmore 2 together, use it as a bridge. Sandler movies, for all their fart jokes, are almost always about family loyalty.
- On Grief and Resilience: Happy is "down and out" at the start. Talk about how he handles his sadness and the importance of asking for help (or in his case, getting back to what he’s good at).
- On Substance Abuse: Since it’s a major plot point, you can talk about why Happy is drinking and how it affects his relationship with his daughter, Vienna.
- On Sportsmanship: Happy has a temper. Shooter McGavin (the legendary villain) is a narcissist. It’s a great (if exaggerated) way to talk about how not to act on the soccer field or the basketball court.
If the sequel feels a bit too much, but your kids are begging for "the guy from the memes," here is the Screenwise-approved Adam Sandler starter pack:
- A musical about a class lizard. It’s sweet, funny, and has zero "butt-related" trauma. Perfect for all ages.
- Sandler as Dracula. It’s a classic for a reason. Great for a spooky (but not scary) movie night.
- Starring his daughters, this is a great "tween" movie about friendship and growing up. Much more modern and relatable for today's kids.
- PG-rated Sandler. It’s goofy, physical comedy that hits that "Skibidi Toilet" level of absurdity that kids love without the R-rated language.
Happy Gilmore 2 is a love letter to the 90s, but it’s a letter written in permanent marker with a few curse words. It’s a fun watch for parents and older teens, but don't let the "golf movie" label fool you into thinking it's a family-friendly romp for the elementary school set.
If you’re looking for a way to connect with your teen over some "low-stakes" comedy, this is a solid pick. Just maybe keep the remote handy for the mooning scenes.
- Check the WISE score: Head over to the Happy Gilmore 2 media page to see how other parents in the Screenwise community are rating it.
- Plan a Retro Night: If your kids are 14+, watch the original 1996 movie first so they get all the "Shooter McGavin" references.
- Explore Alternatives: If you want the sports vibe without the crude humor, check out our guide to the best sports movies for kids.
Ask Screenwise for a personalized movie recommendation based on your kid's age