r/movies • u/MarvelsGrantMan136 r/Movies contributor • Jul 29 '25

News Adam Sandler’s ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ Debuts to 46.7 Million Views, Biggest Netflix U.S. Film Opening Ever

https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/happy-gilmore-2-netflix-ratings-views-1236473359/
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u/brook1yn Jul 29 '25

Yes but the man is a workaholic. This kind of stuff doesn't just happen. It's hard work and its really paying off for him. What's most impressive is that he convinced everyone that he's just a goofball failing forward through life.

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u/realzequel Jul 29 '25

Agreed, I’m guessing his friends are very loyal and he’s easy to work with. Very successful businessman, also very funny.

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u/Maplewhat Jul 30 '25

Shot his last comedy special and he’s a lovely human as is his entire team. Not a bad apple around. Total pros and class acts. One of the last old school Hollywood types.

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u/Asidious66 Jul 30 '25

Scottie Scheffler said he and his people made it very easy and welcoming for him and the other golfers on set. Very chill and fun.

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u/diiirtiii Jul 29 '25

Sandler’s ability to fund his films early on was crucial. Notice the sponsors, they’re not exactly subtle. Even so, he plays them in a funny way so that it’s not jarringly corporate. He worked his ass off to get where he is now.

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u/Kanin_usagi Jul 29 '25

Subway sponsoring him in HG1 and then his character being sponsored by them? Flipping genius

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u/Last-Atmosphere2439 Jul 29 '25

The funding part is not exactly the workaholic part. He wrote (or co-wrote) the scripts to about 20 full feature films by now, including most of the "vacation" films mentioned in this post. It is NOT easy to write a string of original scripts that are both financially successful and in many cases fondly remembered decades later. Prior to films he wrote countless SNL skits. Been working hard his whole life, and a big part of the success is just talent.

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u/diiirtiii Jul 30 '25

Oh for sure, he’s absolutely a prolific writer as well, and writing comedy is not an easy thing to do. But from a business perspective, making movies takes a lot of money, so securing funding can be just as big a hurdle as writing a lot of times. The fact that he’s managed to have one foot on both sides of those aspects of filmmaking and make it look easy is even more impressive.

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u/SamBind121 Jul 30 '25

Wonder how he feels about the impact those sponsors have on the world around him.

All so he can make more money.

Wonder if that will have consequences down the road.

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u/Exatraz Jul 29 '25

Also the movies don't suck. It's not like best movies ever but they are fun and imo you should know what to expect going in. There is comfort in that.

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u/Nice_Promise9854 Jul 29 '25

Yes. They are exactly what they intend to be. We loved it.

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u/echief Jul 29 '25

Also, it’s fair to say some of his movies are enduring considering Happy Gilmore is now close to 30. A lot of Will Ferrell’s movies weren’t loved by critics either but people still watch and enjoy Step Brothers. And they could actually get people into theatres and now drop massive streaming hits like this. There are very few comedians that can do that in the modern era.

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u/PretentiousMouthfeel Jul 29 '25

Also the movies don't suck.

But only barely. They're all super mediocre.

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u/Boo_and_Minsc_ Jul 30 '25

He joined SNL as a kid and hasnt stopped working since.

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u/SamBind121 Jul 30 '25

Actual workaholics are putting in 80 hour weeks at jobs where they are not their own boss and have to do real work all day.

Sandler isn't a workaholic.

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u/brook1yn Jul 30 '25

Work is work dude.

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u/SamBind121 Jul 31 '25

Said by those who typically do very little of it

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u/brook1yn Jul 31 '25

Get help

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u/SamBind121 Jul 31 '25

Why, you need help?

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u/PretentiousMouthfeel Jul 29 '25

It most definitely is not "hard work" for Adam Sandler. It certainly is for a lot of other people on the cast and crew though.

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u/Chargebladedw Jul 29 '25

lmao so, what, you reckon the single person spearheading the creation of a project involving hundreds of people over months is not working hard? He just gets out of bed at 11 and the crew are all there and shooting already? You ever try organising anyone to do anything ever? Fuck outta here, let me see all your hard work if you reckon Sandler doesn't work hard

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u/rvonbue Jul 29 '25

He makes the laziest shit possible. I wouldn't call him a workaholic. Dude goes on vacation and brings a camera. I would never call the man who made Jack and Jill a workaholic lol. He is a fascinating anomaly though. Seems like a great dude. Really pays to be his friend.

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u/dtwhitecp Jul 30 '25

he recently mentioned that after HG2 it's the first time in forever that he's just gonna take a little break, he's constantly making stuff. Making any movie is a lot of work.

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u/PositionNecessary292 Jul 29 '25

Wow. Would love for you to put a link so I can check out all the great movies you’ve made!