Adam Sandler in “Happy Gilmore” | Credit: Happy Gilmore Productions and Netflix

Yes, everyone over 40 will surely remember the first “Happy Gilmore” movie, starring Adam Sandler, which was released in 1996. The film launched Sandler’s Hollywood career into overdrive, establishing him as a box office star.

Gosh, anyone with a sense of humor would enjoy watching the former hockey player turned golf pro, played by a young Adam Sandler in “Happy Gilmore.” I still remember many of those scenes and as I write this, they make me smile and laugh because they are embedded in my memory. This movie solidified Adam Sandler as the real deal and someone who would be around for a long time.

The timing of this couldn’t be more perfect because Adam Sandler has a deal with Netflix for all of his movies to be shown exclusively on the platform. None of the previous films he made for Netflix are direct sequels, remakes, or reboots of his most famous films, which made him a household name. Some may argue that “Billy Madison,” with its college humor, helped Adam Sandler gain recognition and popularity, but that film was more of a cult hit, a favorite among teenagers, adults and anyone who saw Adam Sandler for the first time on SNL. Overall, “Happy Gilmore” had more impact in helping make Adam Sandler a household name around the world.

For those who have followed Adam Sandler since his years on SNL, you know what made him extremely popular from the ’90s onwards. It was his cheeky, direct and temperamental comedic style, which is undeniably funny. He belonged to a group of young comedians and comedians who resonated with the youth. Adam Sandler did his sketches, sketches and comedy bits alongside the late great Chris Farley, David Spade, Tim Meadows, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider and others during his rise. This was an immensely talented group of SNL alums, and Adam Sandler became the most famous among them because of the movies he made and released. While some of his recent offerings may not have been as good, his consistency is impressive and he has tried to stay true to himself as a proven comedic actor who will continue making movies regardless of the outcome.

For me, a “Happy Gilmore” sequel was something I never imagined would happen. It feels like a lifetime since I first saw it on VHS and then on movie channels. The movie always seemed unique, with Happy Gilmore getting its happy ending. That was almost thirty years ago, so I wonder how the film would resonate with today’s audiences, especially since many people are more politically correct now. However, let’s see! I think we are all getting tired of so-called comedies that fail, feel boring and lack humor because nowadays almost everything is prohibited and people are too sensitive.

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Maybe the cure for all this is a “Happy Gilmore” sequel. Adam Sandler returning to his element (unfiltered, unedited, and unsaturated) could be a step toward restoring normalcy to comedy movies and bringing back the days when movies could be funny again. Seriously, I think all sensible people are tired of watching overhyped comedy or comedy genre movies, only to leave the theater disappointed or, after watching them on a streaming service, immediately not feeling anything. If a movie like “Happy Gilmore” were released now without any changes, it would be a great success but with many risks of being canceled.

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There are some scenes in “Happy Gilmore” that, if shown to a younger audience today, would surely make them laugh if they learned to relax, not take things too seriously, and appreciate humor in its purest form. I think one of the main reasons why Adam Sandler has become a top star is that he did not create his iconic films in the present, but between the 1990s and mid-2000s. The environment, society and The culture you are in are key factors in determining how much comedic freedom a person has. It’s like finding the available material that you have to work with, and I think Adam Sandler is rediscovering that freedom once again; Otherwise, it would not have received the “Go Signal” to advance beyond the pre-development phases of “Happy Gilmore 2,” which has been turned into a soon-to-be-released Netflix-exclusive film.

For the record, I don’t know of any other actor who has a contract with Netflix for a quarter of a billion dollars. It just goes to show how much of a comedy cornerstone Adam Sandler has become that the biggest streaming service would let him create, release and star in movies for them.

Adam Sandler is original and, more than thirty years later, he is still relevant. We celebrate him for that. By the way, Adam Sandler became the 24th comedian to receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2023, which is the highest recognition that can be given to any comedian. It means one thing: Adam Sandler has become very important to comedy and we need his humor now more than ever.

When I was young, I got to see Adam Sandler movies like “Billy Madison,” “Happy Gilmore,” “The Waterboy,” “Big Daddy,” and many others. The guy was something else and I still haven’t seen anyone like him to this day. Sure, many have been influenced by him, imitated his comedy style and watched his movies growing up, but no one can top him.

“Happy Gilmore 2” has been in pre-development for years, and Adam Sandler has been planning to get started on it for a long time. Regardless of how long it’s taken, I’m just grateful that it’s officially happening.

“Happy Gilmore 2” will be directed by Kyle Newacheck, written by Tim Herlihy and Adam Sandler, and will stream exclusively on Netflix in 2025.

Get ready because this could bring back the Adam Sandler of yesteryear!