Warning: This article contains spoilers for Happy Gilmore 2.
One modern woman’s character has been laid to rest.
In Adam Sandler’s celeb-filled sequel to his 1996 classic golf comedy Happy Gilmore, one of the movie’s most beloved characters was killed off in a shocking—and immediate—twist to fans.
The movie, which dropped on Netflix July 25, opens by showing how the eponymous hockey player-turned-golfer’s life had changed since triumphing in the first film and saving his grandmother’s house. In voice over, Happy (Adam) shares how he and Virginia Venit (Julie Bowen) fell even more madly in love, got married and welcomed four sons and a daughter (played by Adam’s real-life daughter Sunny Sandler).
But as the unorthodox golf pro recapped his success, the movie shows Happy hitting an errant ball that strikes Virginia in the head, killing off Julie’s character. The death leaves Happy as a single dad of five, prompting his retirement from the game of golf.
Despite her character’s un-fore-tunate demise within the first four minutes, Julie does make a few appearances throughout the movie, including in Happy’s “happy place” where she cheekily encourages him to forgive himself for her death.
As for who else shared the screen with Adam, Julie and Christopher McDonald, who reprised his role as Shooter McGavin? The cast is on par with the guest list of the Grammys and the Super Bowl.
Modern-day stars like Travis Kelce, Bad Bunny and Post Malone appeared alongside comedic turns from golf legends like John Daly, Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler.
And while there were many fresh faces in Happy Gilmore 2, the sequel also made sure to honor the late Carl Weathers, who played Happy’s mentor Chubbs in the original movie but died in 2024 from heart disease.
“The saddest thing is Carl Weathers was in the draft,” Adam told E! News in an exclusive interview. “We wrote an entire story for Carl and Carl's son, and then Carl passed away.”
He added, “So, we show the love to Carl in the movie.”
Indeed, the Rocky actor was included by way of Happy reading Chubbs’ book of golf tips, as well as him reminiscing on the advice the coach gave him in the first movie, which helped the golfer get his swing back.
The late Bob Barker—who had a fist fight with Happy in the original movie—was also featured in the form of a video game character that reenacted the pair’s brawl. Plus, the late Richard “Gentle Giant” Kiel was honored with his character’s son appearing as a spectator and sharing his dad’s love for Happy.
As Adam told E!, “Everybody from the first one we try to give love to.”
While Happy Gilmore 2 is out now on Netflix, read on to see what other movies are releasing soon.
—Reporting by Emily Curl
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Good Fortune - October 17, 2025
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The Twits - October 17, 2025
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The Hand That Rocks the Cradle - October 22, 2025
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Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere - October 24, 2025
The Bear star Jeremy Allen White plays the Boss in this biopic which chronicles the making of Bruce Springsteen’s 1982 Nebraska album when he was a young musician on the cusp of global superstardom.
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Regretting You - October 24, 2025
Allison Williams, Mckenna Grace and Dave Franco star in this adaptation of Colleen Hoover's best-selling novel.
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Shelby Oaks - October 24, 2025
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Anniversary - October 29, 2025
Featuring an all-star cast, this gripping thriller follows a close-knit family who are torn apart when the son brings home a new girlfriend with a dangerous agenda. Starring Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler, Dylan O'Brien, Phoebe Dynevor, Zoey Deutch, and McKenna Grace.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Ballad of a Small Player - October 29, 2025
Colin Farrell stars as a high-stakes gambler lying low in Macau, China, until his past and his debts start to catch up with him.
Where to Watch: In select theaters October 15 and streaming on Netflix October 29
Nouvelle Vague - October 31, 2025
Director Richard Linklater reimagines the making of Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless, a film that shaped the French New Wave in 1960. Starring Zoey Deutch as iconic actress Jean Seberg.
Where to Watch: In select theaters on October 31, streaming on Netflix starting November 14.
Bugonia - October 31, 2025
Emma Stone re-teams with her Poor Things and The Favourite director Yorgos Lanthimos for this dark comedy about two conspiracy-obsessed men who kidnap the CEO of a major company, convinced that she is an alien intent on destroying planet Earth.
Where to Watch: Limited engagement on October 24, then nationwide on October 31.
Christy - November 7, 2025
Sydney Sweeney delivers a knockout performance as she transforms into real life boxing hero Christy Martin in this much-anticipated biopic.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Frankenstein - November 7, 2025
Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro adapts Mary Shelley’s classic tale of Victor Frankenstein and his monstrous creation. Starring Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi and Mia Goth.
Where to Watch: In select theaters Oct. 17 and streaming on Netflix on Nov. 7.
Predator: Badlands - November 7, 2025
The newest entry in the Predator franchise is set in the future on a remote planet and follows a young Predator who is outcast from his clan, and must embark on a treacherous journey in search of the ultimate adversary. Elle Fanning also stars.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Die My Love - November 7, 2025
Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson headline this black comedy-drama that focuses on a new mother struggling with postpartum depression after moving to rural Montana.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Nuremberg - November 7, 2025
A WWII psychiatrist (Rami Malek) evaluates Nazi leaders before the Nuremberg trials in 1945, growing increasingly obsessed with understanding evil as he forms a disturbing bond with Hermann Göring (Russell Crowe). Also starring Colin Hanks, Leo Woodall, John Slattery, Michael Shannon and Richard E. Grant.
Where to Watch: In theaters
I Wish You All the Best - November 7, 2025
A modern coming-of-age story that follows a teenager who comes out as nonbinary and is thrown out of their family's home, before embarking upon a journey of self-discovery. From writer/director Tommy Dorfman, and starring Corey Fogelmanis, Lena Dunham, Alexandra Daddario, and Cole Sprouse.
Where to Watch: In theaters
The Running Man - November 14, 2025
Glen Powell stars in this adaptation of Stephen King's 1982 novel (which also inspired the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger movie of the same name) about a deadly competition where contestants must survive 30 days while being hunted by professional assassins.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Jay Kelly - November 14, 2025
George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Billy Crudup and Laura Dern star in this "heartbreaking comedy" from writer-director Noah Baumbach.
Where to Watch: In theaters Nov. 14 and streaming on Netflix Dec. 5.
Keeper - November 14, 2025
Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black) stars in this horror flick about a wife who becomes isolated in a secluded cabin and must face an evil entity that unveils the property's haunted past.
Where to Watch: In theaters
A Very Jonas Christmas - November 14, 2025
Joe Jonas, Nick Jonas and Kevin Jonas team up for this Christmas caper which sees the brothers face a series of escalating obstacles as they try to make it from London to New York in time to spend Christmas with their families. Also starring Chloe Bennet, Billie Lourd, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Danielle Jonas, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson.
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Now You See Me: Now You Don’t - November 14, 2025
Original cast members Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher and Dave Franco return for this third entry in the magic-infused heist thriller franchise, along with new cast members Rosamund Pike and Dominic Sessa.
Where to Watch: In theaters
The Carpenter's Son - November 14, 2025
Nicolas Cage, Noah Jupe and FKA twigs star in this horror tale about the spiritual warfare that erupts when a carpenter, his wife and their son Jesus are targeted by supernatural forces.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Wicked: For Good - November 21, 2025
Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) face off in this epic conclusion to 2024’s hit Broadway movie adaptation.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Rental Family - November 21, 2025
Brendan Fraser stars as an American actor who struggles to find purpose until he moves to Tokyo and lands an unusual gig: working for a Japanese "rental family" agency, playing stand-in roles for strangers.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Eternity - November 26, 2025
In an afterlife where souls have one week to decide where to spend eternity, Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) is faced with the impossible choice between the man she spent her life with (Miles Teller) and her first love (Callum Turner), who died young and has waited decades for her to arrive.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Zootopia 2 - November 26, 2025
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Where to Watch: In theaters
Hamnet - November 27, 2025
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Where to Watch: In select theaters on Nov. 27, expanding nationwide on Dec. 12.
Merrily We Roll Along - December 5, 2025
Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez star in the live stage filming of the Tony-winning Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's musical.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 - December 9, 2025
The 2023 horror hit gets the sequel treatment, with returning stars Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail and Matthew Lilllard joined by new characters played by Mckenna Grace and Skeet Ulrich.
Where to Watch: In theaters