Rather than opting for a grand theatrical release, Adam Sandler chose to premiere the highly anticipated <em>Happy Gilmore 2</em> on Netflix. This decision isn’t particularly surprising, as the comedian has worked with the streaming service for most of his films since 2014. Over the past decade, Sandler’s Netflix films, including The Ridiculous 6, Murder Mystery, and Hubie Halloween, have achieved significant success.

For many years, it has been evident that Sandler is the king of Netflix, a fact that has become even clearer with the release of Happy Gilmore 2. This recent comedy serves as the sequel to his beloved 1996 film, where he portrayed the hockey player-turned-golfer Happy Gilmore. Since its debut on Netflix on July 25, reviews for Happy Gilmore 2 have been somewhat mixed, which is typical for Sandler’s comedies.

Despite some unfavorable reviews, it’s undeniable that there are numerous hilarious moments in Happy Gilmore 2. Overall, Sandler fans are excited to witness what became of one of his most iconic characters. It has been hugely successful for Netflix, but would Happy Gilmore 2 have achieved record-breaking success in theaters as well?

Would Happy Gilmore 2’s Viewership Directly Translate To Theatrical Success?

Just days after its release, Happy Gilmore 2 set several streaming records for Netflix. It garnered 46.7 million views within its first three days, marking the highest opening weekend for any of Sandler’s Netflix films. Moreover, this impressive viewership signifies that Happy Gilmore 2 achieved the largest opening weekend for any Netflix film in the United States.

While these records are remarkable, they do not necessarily indicate that audiences would have flocked to theaters to see Happy Gilmore 2 during its opening weekend. After all, it’s significantly easier to click play on Netflix than to drive to a theater. This is precisely why Sandler decided to shift to streaming services in 2014, as it has become increasingly challenging to persuade people to attend movies in theaters.

Nonetheless, Happy Gilmore 2 had the potential to be a box office hit given its status as a beloved comedy. For years, Sandler’s fans have been urging him to create a sequel to the golfing film. Happy Gilmore 2 was arguably his most anticipated movie in the last decade, so many people would have likely watched it on the big screen.

The aforementioned records undeniably demonstrate a strong interest in the film. Besides Sandler, audiences would likely have attended theaters to catch all of Happy Gilmore 2‘s cameos, featuring Eminem, Travis Kelce, and several professional golfers. Sandler’s latest film would have been a joy to experience with an audience.

However, had Happy Gilmore 2 been released in theaters on the same date, it might have faced challenges. It premiered during the same week as The Fantastic Four: First Steps, a major summer blockbuster. Additionally, it would have competed against films such as Superman and Jurassic World Rebirth. These competing films could have affected Happy Gilmore 2‘s earnings, placing it at a disadvantage.

Could Happy Gilmore 2 Have Become Adam Sandler’s Highest-Grossing Movie At The Box Office?

Although it would have faced significant competition at the box office, these records indicate that Happy Gilmore 2 would have easily surpassed the original film’s total earnings. After its release in 1996, the first Happy Gilmore movie grossed $41 million globally (via Box Office Mojo). While this is a respectable figure for its time, it pales in comparison to Sandler’s most profitable films.

Sandler’s highest-grossing film to date is 2018’s Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation, which earned a total of $528 million at the worldwide box office (via Box Office Mojo). The Hotel Transylvania series has been incredibly successful for Sandler, making it the three highest-grossing films of his career. It is highly improbable that Happy Gilmore 2 would have exceeded their box office performance.

However, as demonstrated in the table above, Sandler’s highest-grossing live-action film is 2010’s Grown Ups. While it is widely considered one of Sandler’s top comedies, so too is the original Happy Gilmore. There is a possibility that Happy Gilmore 2 could have generated enough excitement to surpass Grown Ups at the box office.

Since Happy Gilmore 2 was released on Netflix, we will never know how it would have truly performed at the box office. With evolving viewer habits, some argue that Sandler may not possess the same box office appeal. Nonetheless, it could have realistically earned between $200-300 million, which is the typical range for many of Sandler’s successful comedies.

Based on the remarkable viewership records, Happy Gilmore 2 would have certainly been a box office success, even if it didn’t break any records. However, Sandler appears to be enjoying his collaboration with Netflix, suggesting that most of his future films will also be released on the streaming platform.