Happy Gilmore 2 is bringing back a key part of the original movie, and it continues a decades-old Adam Sandler trend. The 1996 sports comedy stars Sandler as the тιтular failed hockey player who discovers he has a hidden talent for golf and enters a tournament to save his grandmother’s house from being foreclosed.
Similarly, the upcoming sequel Happy Gilmore 2 brings back Sandler’s тιтular character, who, 30 years after winning his first Tour Championship, comes out of retirement and returns to the sport to pay for his daughter’s ballet school. The sequel also brings back original cast members Julie Bowen, Christopher McDonald, Ben Stiller, and Kevin Nealon.
Happy Gilmore 2 brings back many key elements of the original movie, including cameos from professional golfers John Daly, Rory McIlroy, Jack Nicklaus, and Jordan Spieth, alongside celebrity cameos such as Eminem, Post Malone, Travis Kelce, Ken Jennings, and more. However, it’s another key element that continues a decades-old Adam Sandler trend.
Subway Is Re-Teaming With Adam Sandler For Happy Gilmore 2
Happy Was Endorsed By Subway In The Original Movie
In the original movie, Happy’s romantic interest and the public relations director of the pro golf tour, Virginia Venit (Julie Bowen), lands Happy a profitable endorsement deal with Subway, providing him with the $270,000 needed to cover his grandmother’s tax debt. Subway was one of many product placements in the original movie, also including Pepsi, Budweiser, Michelob, Visa, AT&T, Red Lobster, Wilson, Golf Digest, ESPN, and Top-Flite Golf.
Now, Subway is re-teaming with Sandler for Happy Gilmore 2. The brand has teamed up with Netflix to let fans upgrade any order into a “Happy Gilmore Meal,” which comes with one of four exclusive collectible cups showcasing beloved characters from the film. The “Happy Gilmore Meal” will be available at Subway locations across the country beginning July 10, while supplies last.
Adam Sandler Has A Long (& Funny) History Of Product Placement
Especially Fast Food
Sandler has a long and funny history of product placement, especially fast food. It’s kind of egregious, but it also works in quite a funny way. After Happy Gilmore, Sandler continued to embrace product placement in films featuring McDonald’s (Big Daddy), Popeye’s (Little Nicky), Wendy’s (Mr. Deeds), KFC (Grown Ups), and many more.
Sandler has always treated product placement less like an intrusion and more like a playground…
Sandler has always treated product placement less like an intrusion and more like a playground, as he fully leans into the absurdity of it. It’s marketing with a wink, and somehow it works – probably because it’s never exactly subtle, but often genuinely funny in its shamelessness.
Happy Gilmore 2 Can Hopefully Recapture What Made The Original So Good
Not Subway, Obviously
If Happy Gilmore 2 can strike the same chaotic, irreverent tone – balancing heart, hilarious rage, and outlandish antics – it has a real sH๏τ at recapturing the original’s movie charm. With its returning stars, surprise cameos, and Sandler in full swing, it doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel. It just needs to hit it right down the fairway, Happy-style.
Happy Gilmore 2 releases July 25 on Netflix.