Adam Sandler's 'Happy Gilmore 2' Breaks Streaming Record in Opening Weekend

Coming 29 years after the original was released to theaters, the desire for Happy Gilmore 2 was strong with Netflix viewers.

Per Nielsen's streaming data obtained by Joe Otterson of Variety, Happy Gilmore 2 set a new Netflix streaming record with 2.9 billion viewing minutes during its opening weekend from July 25-27.

The previous opening-weekend record for Netflix was 2.2 billion minutes for Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery in December 2023.

Netflix previously touted Happy Gilmore 2 as having the biggest US opening weekend for one of its original films with 46.7 million views in its first three days of release.

There had been rumblings about a sequel to the 1996 original for several years before Netflix officially gave a greenlight to Happy Gilmore 2 in May 2024.

As was the case with the original movie, the sequel features several cameos from golf legends, athletes and celebrities. Travis Kelce, Becky Lynch, Reggie Bush, Bryson DeChambeau and Jack Nicklaus all make appearances in the film.

John Daly, MJF and Bad Bunny have significant supporting roles as a hermit, one of Happy's sons and Happy's new caddy, respectively.

The story follows Sandler as Happy Gilmore on a quest to redeem himself after falling into alcoholism following an on-course accident that kills his wife, Virginia.

Happy Gilmore 2 marks the 10th movie produced by Sandler's Happy Madison Productions company starring the legendary comedian and released by Netflix.

Otterson noted that Sandler's movies have received more than 61 billion viewing minutes on Netflix.

The original Happy Gilmore was produced for $12 million and made $41.4 million worldwide at the box office.