After almost 30 years, Happy Gilmore is back with a sequel. The much-anticipated movie is loaded with surprise cameos, callbacks to the first part, and nods to Adam Sandler’s life. Sandler returns as Happy, now retired from golf and broke. His reason to get back in the game is his daughter Vienna who wants to attend ballet school in Paris, and he needs cash to make it happen. But one particular moment had Netflix viewers hitting pause to take a second look. Ever since the comedy dropped on Netflix on July 25, fans have been pointing out what they’re calling a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it tribute to Cameron Boyce. Here are seven biggest Easter eggs you might’ve missed.
Cameron Boyce Tribute
The movie pays tribute to the late Disney star who played Adam Sandler’s son Keithie in Grown Ups and Grown Ups 2. In one scene, Sandler’s Happy walks toward the check-in booth with a golf club in hand. As he steps forward, the person inside the booth is watching TV, and in the background, a scene from Jessie plays, featuring the late Cameron Boyce. In the show, Boyce played Luke Ross from 2011 to 2015. The nod is short, but fans have been shedding tears over the subtle, emotional tribute.
Also read: 29 years after Happy Gilmore, Adam Sandler is swinging again
Family Affair cameos
Who won’t like Sandler’s overdose? Adam Sandler brings his family onscreen. His wife Jackie plays Vienna’s dance teacher, daughter Sunny plays Vienna, and Sadie plays an undercover FBI agent, all working in Happy’s support group. Even his mother, in-laws, and cousin make cameo appearances..
Eminem replaces the Heckler
In the first movie, Joe Flaherty played the heckler who kept shouting “Jackass!” at Happy just before he was about to putt. Flaherty may have passed in 2024, but his iconic heckle gets a wild revival in the sequel, this time by Eminem, dressed in the same hat, beard, and same attitude, hurling the same insult at Happy on the golf course. But, Happy gets the last laugh when Eminem gets mauled by alligators for it.
Ben Stiller as Hal L. Returns
Fans of the first film will remember Ben Stiller as the villain Hal L., the retirement home freak who made life hell for Happy’s grandma and others. In Happy Gilmore 2, he’s back, still sleazy, now running a shady support group called “Alkies for Life.” Years may have passed, but Hal hasn’t changed one bit. He still masks abuse as therapy, using it to cut corners in his own life. But this time, thanks to Sadie Sandler’s character, the tables finally turn, and Hal gets what’s been long overdue.
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Graveyard scene
In one scene, Happy and Shooter brawl over the graves of characters from the original who have passed. The name includes, Bob Barker (2023), Carl Weathers (Chubbs, died 2024), and Grandma (Frances Bay, died 2011).
Happy goes on SNL
A nod to Adam Sandler’s real life, Happy Gilmore is shown appearing on Saturday Night Live after bouncing back to limelight. This is similar to Sandler’s own career at NBC from 1990–1995.
Chubbs’ son “Slim” honors the legacy
Carl Weathers’ character Chubbs, Happy’s mentor from the original film, is also honored in the movie. Lavell Crawford appears as his son, Slim, who, like his father, has a wooden hand, though he lost it to a vending machine rather than an alligator.
Is there going to be Happy Gilmore 3
While Netflix is yet to announce a renewal, the post-credit scene might have dropped a few clues. Frank Manatee’s Maxi Golf League gets disbanded, which could hint that there’s more to come. In the scene, a news reporter announces that Manatee’s signature drink has been pulled. It’s an open ending, but one that leaves room for possibilities. However, when asked if there had been talks, director Kyle Newacheck didn’t sound too hyped. “I don’t know,” he said. “I would be too forward to even think about it right now. The first one took [a] 29-year gestation period before they figured out what the second one is. I feel like whatever I come up with right now is going to be… not it, homie.” In the end its up to Adam Sandler to decide whether to make a Happy Gilmore 3. After all, he is the co-writer, producer and actor of the franchise.
