Happy Gilmore
Stream
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Failed hockey player-turned-golf whiz Happy Gilmore — whose unconventional approach and antics on the green courts the ire of rival Shooter McGavin — is determined to win a PGA tournament so he can save his granny's house with the prize money. Meanwhile, an attractive tour publicist tries to soften Happy's image.
What critics thought
DivisiveCritics at the time were largely cold on Happy Gilmore, finding Sandler's angry-manchild routine more exhausting than funny — but audiences embraced it, and that gap has only widened over the decades. The central divide was whether Sandler's abrasive energy reads as gleeful silliness or just unpleasant aggression, with most professional reviewers landing firmly in the latter camp while crowds kept the film alive as a cult comedy.
“The general tone nevertheless makes it difficult to elevate the gags beyond an occasional chuckle”
Brian Lowry·Variety
“doesn't have a pleasing personality: He seems angry even when he's not supposed to be, and his habit of pounding everyone he dislikes is tiring in a PG-13 movie”
Roger Ebert·Chicago Sun Times
“A one-joke Caddyshack for the blitzed and jaded”
Owen Gleiberman·Entertainment Weekly
“The real surprise is that it's a lot of fun, with Sandler becoming more personable as the film progresses, and a couple of truly side-splitting scenes.”
Darren Bignell·Empire
Genres
Comedy
Cast & Crew
Dennis DuganDirector
Adam SandlerHappy Gilmore
Julie BowenVirginia
Christopher McDonaldShooter
Frances BayGrandma
Carl WeathersChubbs
Allen CovertOtto
Robert SmigelIRS Agent
Bob BarkerBob Barker
Richard KielMr. LarsonDennis DuganDoug Thompson
Joe FlahertyJeering Fan
Lee TrevinoLee Trevino
Mark MothersbaughComposer
Tim HerlihyWriterAdam SandlerWriter
Arthur AlbertCinematographyHappy Gilmore
Failed hockey player-turned-golf whiz Happy Gilmore — whose unconventional approach and antics on the green courts the ire of rival Shooter McGavin — is determined to win a PGA tournament so he can save his granny's house with the prize money. Meanwhile, an attractive tour publicist tries to soften Happy's image.
What critics thought
DivisiveCritics at the time were largely cold on Happy Gilmore, finding Sandler's angry-manchild routine more exhausting than funny — but audiences embraced it, and that gap has only widened over the decades. The central divide was whether Sandler's abrasive energy reads as gleeful silliness or just unpleasant aggression, with most professional reviewers landing firmly in the latter camp while crowds kept the film alive as a cult comedy.
“The general tone nevertheless makes it difficult to elevate the gags beyond an occasional chuckle”
Brian Lowry·Variety
“doesn't have a pleasing personality: He seems angry even when he's not supposed to be, and his habit of pounding everyone he dislikes is tiring in a PG-13 movie”
Roger Ebert·Chicago Sun Times
“A one-joke Caddyshack for the blitzed and jaded”
Owen Gleiberman·Entertainment Weekly
“The real surprise is that it's a lot of fun, with Sandler becoming more personable as the film progresses, and a couple of truly side-splitting scenes.”
Darren Bignell·Empire
Genres
Comedy
Cast & Crew
Dennis DuganDirectorAdam SandlerHappy GilmoreJulie BowenVirginiaChristopher McDonaldShooterFrances BayGrandmaCarl WeathersChubbsAllen CovertOttoRobert SmigelIRS AgentBob BarkerBob BarkerRichard KielMr. LarsonDennis DuganDoug ThompsonJoe FlahertyJeering FanLee TrevinoLee TrevinoMark MothersbaughComposerTim HerlihyWriterAdam SandlerWriterArthur AlbertCinematographyStream
Rent & Buy