🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Dennis Dugan
- Genre: Comedy, Sport
- Release year: 1996
- Runtime (length): 1h 32min
- IMDb rating: 7.0/10 (260K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 61%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A hockey player who can’t skate becomes a golf sensation to win enough money to save his grandma’s house from the IRS, leading to a series of increasingly bizarre events involving Bob Barker and a one-handed golf pro.
🍿 Happy Gilmore: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction to Happy Gilmore
Happy Gilmore, an aggressive and unsuccessful hockey player, struggles to find his place. He lives with his grandmother, who raised him, and dreams of making it big in hockey despite his lack of skating ability. His temper often gets the best of him, leading to comical outbursts and missed opportunities. He’s a classic underdog with a lot of heart and untapped potential.

Grandma’s Financial Trouble and Golf Discovery
When Happy’s grandmother faces eviction due to unpaid taxes, he’s desperate to find a way to save her house. During an attempt to repossess Grandma’s furniture, Happy discovers his incredible talent for hitting golf balls with immense power, using his hockey-style slap shot. This leads him to explore the world of golf as a potential source of income.

Entering the Pro Golf Tour
With the encouragement of Chubbs Peterson, a former golf pro whose career ended tragically, Happy decides to enter the Pro Golf Tour. His unconventional style and explosive temper clash with the refined world of professional golf, creating hilarious situations and drawing the ire of established golfers like Shooter McGavin.

Rivalry with Shooter McGavin
Shooter McGavin, a conceited and highly skilled golfer, views Happy as a threat to his dominance. He tries to sabotage Happy’s career through various schemes, creating a fierce rivalry that fuels much of the film’s comedy. Their conflict escalates throughout the movie, leading to increasingly outrageous confrontations.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Happy Gilmore (Adam Sandler): A failed hockey player with anger issues discovers a talent for golf and joins the PGA tour to save his grandmother’s house.
- Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald): The arrogant and pretentious top golfer who becomes Happy’s rival and tries to sabotage his success.
- Virginia Venit (Julie Bowen): The tour’s head of PR who is assigned to manage Happy and develops a romantic interest in him.
- Grandma (Frances Bay): Happy’s loving grandmother whose house is being repossessed by the IRS, motivating his golf career.
- Chubbs (Carl Weathers): A former golf pro who lost his hand to an alligator and becomes Happy’s mentor, teaching him the game.
- Otto (Allen Covert): Happy’s supportive and loyal friend.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Shooter McGavin: “I eat pieces of shit like you for breakfast!” – Shooter’s iconic line delivered to Happy after buying Grandma’s house at auction to intimidate him.
- Happy Gilmore: “Are you too good for your home?! Answer me!” – Happy yells at his golf ball, frustrated with his poor putting skills.
- Happy Gilmore: “The price is wrong, bitch!” – Happy’s outburst toward Bob Barker during the celebrity golf tournament has become one of his most quoted lines.
- Chubbs: “It’s all in the hips. It’s all in the hips. It’s all in the hips.” – Chubbs’ repeated advice to Happy, emphasizing the key to a good golf swing.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $12,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $38,824,099
- Worldwide Gross: $41,205,099
💥 Happy Gilmore Reviews
Personal Review
I remember watching “Happy Gilmore” as a kid and just being in stitches! It’s pure, unapologetic silliness. Adam Sandler is at his best, and the fight with Bob Barker is legendary. Every time I see someone get frustrated on the golf course, I think of Happy smashing his club. It’s not high art, but it’s one of those movies I can watch again and again and always laugh.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Adam Sandler’s early comedies”
- “Viewers who enjoy sports comedies”
- “Those who appreciate slapstick humor”
- “People looking for lighthearted entertainment”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Crude language”
- “Comic violence”
- “Suggestive humor”
- “Some scenes may be offensive to sensitive viewers”
Professional Reviews
- Rotten Tomatoes: “While undeniably silly and often crude, “Happy Gilmore” benefits from Adam Sandler’s energetic performance and surprisingly effective physical comedy, resulting in a consistently entertaining and quotable film.
- Variety: “”Happy Gilmore” delivers exactly what you’d expect: Adam Sandler’s trademark blend of juvenile humor and surprisingly heartfelt moments, making it a guilty pleasure for fans of his early work. The supporting cast shines, especially Christopher McDonald as the delightfully villainous Shooter McGavin.
- Roger Ebert.com: “Roger Ebert (2/4 stars) notes that while the movie is good-hearted fun, it’s not particularly funny. He describes it as an ‘Adam Sandler formula’, which is fun while it lasts.
Audience Reactions
The fight with Bob Barker is the greatest comedic scene in sports movie history.: Viewers consistently praise the over-the-top humor, quotable lines, and the sheer absurdity of the plot.
Shooter McGavin is the villain you love to hate; his smugness is pure gold.: The strong supporting cast, particularly Christopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin and Carl Weathers as Chubbs, is a standout aspect.
Overall Consensus: “Happy Gilmore” is a beloved, albeit silly, sports comedy that showcases Adam Sandler’s unique brand of humor, making it a cult classic for many.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Bob Barker wasn’t initially sure about appearing in the film, but accepted the role after learning he would win the fight against Adam Sandler.”
- “The sound effect of Happy Gilmore’s golf ball being hit was created to sound like a cannon firing, emphasizing the power of his swing.”
- “Ben Stiller makes an uncredited appearance as the sadistic orderly at the retirement home, adding another layer of comedic talent to the film.”
🖥️ How to Watch Happy Gilmore?
Happy Gilmore is widely available to rent or purchase on various platforms. Check streaming services like Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube, and Google Play Movies for rental or purchase options. You may also find it available for streaming with a subscription on services that periodically rotate their content libraries. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Happy Gilmore, you might like these similar films:
- Caddyshack (1980): Classic golf comedy with memorable characters and outrageous humor.
- Billy Madison (1995): Another Adam Sandler comedy with a similar immature-adult-in-an-unconventional-situation premise.
- Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004): An underdog sports comedy where a group of misfits must win a competition to save their business.
- The Waterboy (1998): Another Adam Sandler movie about a underdog with a short fuse.
🛒 Happy Gilmore Related Products
- Happy Gilmore – Blu-ray: Own the classic comedy on Blu-ray for the best possible viewing experience. Great for fans of Adam Sandler and sports comedies.
- Happy Gilmore – Themed Golf Club Head Cover: Show your love for Happy Gilmore on the golf course with a themed club head cover. High-quality materials ensure durability and style. Impress your friend on the course with the classic movie reference.
- Funko Pop! – Shooter McGavin: Add the iconic villain Shooter McGavin to your Funko Pop! collection. A perfect display piece for fans of the movie.
- Happy Gilmore: Original Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original movie poster, perfect for decorating a home theater or office. Captures the essence of the film’s comedic energy. This is a poster for a movie that will remind you of the golden era of comedies.
🎧 Soundtrack
Happy Gilmore features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Tuesday’s Gone” – performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd
- “Endless Love” – performed by Lionel Richie & Diana Ross
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Happy Gilmore was primarily filmed in British Columbia, Canada, with locations including Furry Creek.
Happy Gilmore is rated PG-13 for language and comic sexuality.
The estimated budget for Happy Gilmore was $12 million, and it grossed over $41 million worldwide.
The line “The price is wrong, b****” is from Happy Gilmore. It is said by Happy to Bob Barker during their fight scene.
🔥 Bonus Content
Happy Gilmore Outtakes
Dive into these hilarious outtakes from the set of ‘Happy Gilmore’ and see what went on behind the cameras!
Adam Sandler Recreates ‘’Happy Gilmore’ Golf Swing
Catch Adam Sandler as he goes back in time to recreate his unforgettable golf swing from ‘Happy Gilmore’! It’s a nostalgic treat for fans of the movie.
“Happy Gilmore” recut as a Horror Thriller-“Happy Killmore”
Prepare for a thrilling twist as you watch ‘Happy Gilmore’ transformed into a chilling horror movie! This creative fan-made recut will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The Adam Sandler Paradox
Uncover the fascinating life and career of Adam Sandler in this comprehensive documentary. From his early days to his rise as a comedy icon, this film gives you an insider’s look at the man behind ‘Happy Gilmore’.
✨ Rate
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.