Is the 90s Hero Back in Demand? Adam Sandler’s Comedy Crashes into Netflix’s Top 10 Nearly 30 Years Later
Happy Gilmore is suddenly back — and it’s hitting harder than some brand-new releases.
The sudden resurgence of the 1996 film took even Netflix by surprise. The sports comedy Happy Gilmore, starring Adam Sandler, shot into the platform’s top 10. Nearly three decades after its premiere, the movie is trending again — all thanks to an upcoming sequel.
Happy Gilmore (1996)
The film follows an unlucky hockey player who accidentally becomes a golf star. It grossed $41 million at the box office and holds an 85% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
This was one of the first times Sandler embodied the emotional but charming anti-hero — a character type he’s become known for. Now it’s back in the spotlight: Happy Gilmore entered the Netflix top charts in nine countries, including the U.S., Canada, Ireland, and Sweden.
Happy Gilmore 2 (2025)
The sequel, released globally on July 25, follows the character years after his victories and family bliss. A freak golf accident results in the death of his wife. Gilmore retreats from public life, loses his home, and struggles with grief. But years later, he returns to the field.
The plot sounds more dramatic, but Sandler’s signature lightness remains. Julie Bowen and Christopher McDonald reprise their roles, joined by Benny Safdie and Bad Bunny.
Early reviews are positive — and the original film is enjoying a second life. Looks like Netflix has tapped into nostalgia again, and this time, it worked.
