Happy Gilmore
PG-13
1996
Comedy · Brisk 92 minutes that never overstays its welcome.
Cult classic
7.0/10
IMDb
65%
Fresh
31
31/100
Metacritic
🎬
6.7/10
TMDB
The brief
Happy Gilmore catches Adam Sandler right in his sweet spot, delivering his signature man-child rage with perfect comic timing as a hockey washout who demolishes golf course etiquette. The film moves at a brisk clip between slapstick mayhem and surprisingly tender moments with his grandmother, while Christopher McDonald chews scenery as the snobby villain you'll love to hate. Sandler's unhinged energy feels fresh here rather than grating, and the sports comedy framework gives his antics just enough structure to work. Perfect for anyone who misses early Sandler or wants a silly comfort watch that doesn't demand much beyond laughs.
man-child comedy
sports underdog
slapstick chaos
early sandler energy
comfort watch
goofy feel-good
The verdict
If you have a soft spot for early Adam Sandler's unhinged man-child antics and enjoy brainless sports comedies with heart, this is a perfect comfort watch that delivers consistent laughs. If you find Sandler's signature rage-fueled humor grating or prefer sophisticated comedy, you'll want to skip this lowbrow crowd-pleaser.
Watch with
- 👥 Friends for quotable moments and laughs
- 👨👩👧👦 Family (teens and up)
- ⚠️ Skip with comedy snobs or golf purists
Heads up
- Frequent crude humor and language (frequent)
- Slapstick violence and golf course mayhem (moderate)
- Brief sexual humor and innuendo (brief)
Credits
- Director
- Dennis Dugan
- Cast
- Adam Sandler, Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen, Frances Bay, Carl Weathers, Allen Covert, Robert Smigel
Official synopsis
Failed hockey player-turned-golf whiz Happy Gilmore — whose unconventional approach and antics on the green
