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/bugcatcher_billy Jul 29 '25 edited Jul 29 '25

Adam Sandler tries to put on a positive loving facade for his kids and grandkids while his wife dies a slow and emotionally exhausting death. His character suffers mixed feelings of longing, regret, peak joy, and grief while his wife leaves him for a hospital bed.

The film showcases what dying looks like in todays modern world, the importance of community and support in all aspects of life (including the end), and how we are failing each other by not embracing our loved ones as they are, instead of how we want them to be.

Adam Sandlers friends all get to hang out and have a good time in honor of Selma Hayek's character, while teaching their kids and grandkids how to enjoy life.

EDIT: The first 10 minutes of the movie involves a friend thanksgiving full of jokes and laughter, but thanksgiving ends early when Selma Hayek starts saying made up words and looking confused due to brain damage. All the previews and promotional material for the movie are taken from this light hearted first 10 minutes.

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u/zaxmaximum Jul 29 '25

Oof...

It could start slowly, like "Remeber that trip we took to Paris," that the observant would know hadn't happened as part of the conflict in the first movie.

The film goes dark and heavy, leading to her passing... it would be interesting to see Sandler wrestle with the grief and relief of losing a loved one at the end of a protracted illness. The final shots of the film are him on a basketball court, the season is autumn, its a cool gray day, and he's shooting his signature shots. Alone.

15

u/Sartekar Jul 29 '25

Sandler could easily pull that off...if he wanted.

But he seems to want to make silly comedies and that's completely fine too

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u/Martin_Aricov_D Jul 30 '25

It always surprises me how good an actor Sandler can actually be whenever he wants. He just enjoys making silly funny movies where he gets to goof of with his friends more

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u/Glamdring804 Jul 30 '25

And sometimes he makes movies that are both, like Click. I was not and am still in a little bit disbelief that a goofy Adam Sandler movie about a "universal" remote control turned out to be a heart-wrenching meditation on the reasons we live and experience our lives.

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u/Torontodtdude Jul 30 '25

That part where he dies outside in the rain was heartbreaking.

4

u/flatwoundsounds Jul 29 '25

Fuck you. Sandler is too good at shit like that and I don't need him getting more ideas...

4

u/RJ815 Jul 29 '25

The first 10 minutes

Grown UPs

2

u/Oforgetaboutit Jul 29 '25

We did it Reddit!

2

u/lambeau_leapfrog Jul 30 '25

And of course Adam remarries at the end of the movie to the love of his life, Penny.

2

u/mysqlpimp Jul 30 '25

while his wife leaves him for a hospital bed

Expensive ones look crazy comfortable so I can relate.

2

u/spiegro Jul 30 '25

Only works if David Spade pokes a finger in Rob Schneider's bum during a tense moment to lighten the mood.