Will There Be a Happy Gilmore 3? Don’t Hold Your Breath (Yet)

Adam Sandler’s Happy Gilmore 2 is currently dominating Netflix charts with the kind of viral fervor usually reserved for surreal TikTok trends and weird celebrity lawsuits. Fans rallied behind the comedic sequel as if their lives depended on it, desperate to see Sandler’s golf-swinging, hockey-stick-wielding underdog one more time. And while the sequel brought back Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald) and threw in some seriously absurd new rivals, it begs the inevitable question fans can’t stop asking:

“Will there be a Happy Gilmore 3?”

The short answer? Probably not, for now. But if you thought Happy wouldn’t swing at least one more shot at relevance, maybe don’t be so quick to retire his golf clubs just yet.

Why Happy Gilmore 2 Is Everywhere Right Now

Picture this: it’s been almost 30 years since Happy first awkwardly stormed onto the green, trash-talking his way into the hearts of ’90s comedy fans. The original 1996 cult classic cemented Adam Sandler’s transition from SNL darling to box office juggernaut, thanks to iconic one-liners, absurd rage tantrums, and, of course, a literal fistfight with Bob Barker (!). Fast forward to now, Happy Gilmore 2 managed to pull off a highly improbable win by reviving the franchise as a Netflix exclusive. Surprise announcements and a heavy dose of nostalgia boosted the sequel to viral status almost instantly.

According to Netflix, the sequel clocked a jaw-dropping 46.7 million views within its first three days of release. For context, that’s more views than most Oscar nominees can hope for in a decade on streaming platforms. Whether you’re here for the goofy slapstick or the happy-ending golf montages, Happy Gilmore 2 showed that people still love an underdog, even if he’s decades removed from his prime.

Could Happy Gilmore 3 Happen?

Before you get ahead of yourself and start dreaming of Happy taking on Ted Lasso in an international golf showdown, calm down. Co-writer Tim Herlihy recently crushed the hopes of diehard fans in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. When asked about discussions for a third installment, Herlihy didn’t mince words, saying, “There haven’t been conversations between me and Adam. I haven’t even thought about it in the privacy of my own brain.” Ouch.

However, because Hollywood loves to toy with our emotions, he also threw in a calculated, “Never say never.” Herlihy pointed out that Happy Gilmore 2 wasn’t even supposed to be a thing, yet here we are dissecting its success.

Director Kyle Newacheck, in a separate interview, backed up the “wait and see” attitude. “The first one took nearly 30 years before we figured out the sequel,” Newacheck said. “I feel like whatever I come up with now is going to be not it, homie.” Translation? Better luck in 2055, maybe.

Why Fans Are Still Clinging to Hope for Happy Gilmore 3

Despite the cautious statements from the filmmakers, fans are understandably holding onto the tiniest sliver of hope. After all, this is the Hollywood machine we’re talking about. Box office (or in this case, streaming numbers) reign supreme. And with Happy Gilmore 2 becoming one of Netflix’s biggest recent hits, it’s hard to imagine execs wouldn’t at least entertain the idea of another sequel if the demand keeps building.

And, of course, Adam Sandler himself has always been one to randomly revisit his past hits. Whether it’s drunken nostalgia or a purposeful business move, he’s no stranger to dipping back into beloved IP (Grown Ups ring a bell?). Plus, given Netflix’s ongoing relationship with Sandler (he’s basically their very own cash cow), this could easily spark another round of negotiations down the road about a Happy Gilmore 3.

What Would a Good Happy Gilmore 3 Even Look Like?

If Happy Gilmore 3 were to happen, it’d have to shake things up considerably. Happy Gilmore 2 already tread heavily on nostalgia by revisiting the classic clashes between Happy and Shooter McGavin, while introducing chaos-driven subplots like extreme sports golf (don’t ask). A third entry would need to up the stakes, reinvent some tropes, and maybe even move Happy’s story off the course altogether.

Perhaps Happy could mentor the next generation of athletes (hello, Cobra Kai/sports edition?). Or better yet, shift the focus entirely onto his now-grown kids, ensuring maximum reason for Sandler-family appearances. We can already picture Sunny Sandler trash-talking as she takes on a whole new sport altogether.

Still, whatever trajectory it might take, it’s clear audiences don’t just want another Happy Gilmore movie. They want something that honors the absurdity and originality of the original while not feeling like a bland retread.

Final Thoughts

For now, we’ll just have to be content with streaming Happy Gilmore and its equally absurd sequel. While a third installment isn’t teed up just yet, don’t count Happy out. After all, if there’s anything the franchise has taught us, it’s that just when you’re ready to give up, someone’s primed to pull out an unexpected shot. And hey, even if Happy Gilmore 3 doesn’t materialize, it’s not like Sandler doesn’t have a dozen other sequels or surprise projects waiting to keep us entertained (seriously, when’s Billy Madison Goes to College hitting our screens?).

Until then, grab some popcorn, hit play on Netflix, and practice your golf swing, just in case.