(Credits: Netflix)

Before it even dropped on Netflix, Happy Gilmore 2 felt like a win waiting to happen. The memes had already started. The internet was full of countdowns, nostalgic rewatches, and early jokes about what Happy might smash this time. And now, with its debut weekend in the bag, the numbers say it all. The film has finally landed the biggest Netflix U.S. film opening of all time and claimed the number one spot on the Global Top 10 movies list.

The excitement was not just hype. It was built on years of love for the original film, released almost 30 years ago. And along with that, the kind of chaotic comedy that Adam Sandler does best. Fans have been waiting almost three decades to see Happy back on the golf course, and this sequel wastes no time giving them exactly that: rage, rivalry, and ridiculousness in full swing.

The film pulled in 23.1million views globally in just three days. In the US alone, it clocked 13.8million views, pushing past previous record-holders like The Killer and Leave the World Behind. For a sequel that had no guaranteed success beyond nostalgia, this is a massive win both for Sandler and for Netflix. The OTT giant has now seen its biggest comedy gamble of the year pay off.

So why is Happy Gilmore 2 trending this hard? The most obvious answer is Adam Sandler himself. Love him or not, he is one of the most bankable names in Netflix’s comedy catalogue. This time, he leans into the legacy. Happy is older, slower, and maybe even angrier, but the heart of the character is still there. The film walks the line between callback and evolution. It brings in a new set of characters and jokes without completely letting go of what worked the first time.

And yes, the nostalgia helps. But it is not the only thing working in the film’s favour. The energy is fast. The plot is simple but satisfying. The humour lands more often than it misses. It never takes itself too seriously, and it never pretends to be more than it is. The spirit of the film is a chaotic sports comedy built to entertain, not impress, and it sticks to it.

That said, it is not flawless. There are some gags in the film that feel recycled, and a few characters exist purely to set up punchlines. There is a sense that the film occasionally plays it too safe, especially for a franchise known for being completely unhinged. But even with those flaws, it is hard to walk away without cracking a smile or at least quoting something seconds after the credits roll.

More than anything, Happy Gilmore 2 feels like a reminder of what made the original work. The irrelevance, the heart, the sheer absurdity of watching a man scream his way through a golf tournament. It is a formula that still connects, whether you are a fan from the ’90s or someone watching Happy lose his temper for the first time.

And now, it is official: the comeback worked. Happy is on top again, and this time, no one is telling him to go to his home.