Happy Gilmore 2has finally arrived after 29 years, and now that the long-awaited sequel has hit streaming, these ten other Adam Sandler movies should finally get follow-ups. Sandler has starred in some of the most iconic comedy movies of all time, which is why it is shocking that so many of them have gone without sequels.
1996’sHappy Gilmoreis one of Sandler’s most beloved movies, to the point where it partially inspired the name of his production company, Happy Madison Productions. This is why it was so exciting when the announcement came thatHappy Gilmore 2would be happening, with Sandler returning to the green for the Netflix legacy sequel.
Happy Gilmore 2has been a massive success for Netflix, breaking all kinds of records and dominating the streaming service. Thus, it only makes sense for Netflix to look into developing more sequels to Sandler’s films, and these ten are the perfect candidates.
10Grown Ups 2
Of all the Sandler movies that deserve follow-ups,Grown Ups 2is the most obvious pick. The originalGrown Upswas a massive hit upon its release, playing like theAvengersof Happy Madison Productions. The success of the first film led to a sequel being quickly developed, with it releasing only three years after its predecessor.
However, despite the sequel making $247 million,Grown Ups 3still hasn’t happened. Fans of Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, and the rest of the gang have been clamoring for another entry in the franchise. They don’t seem to be the most expensive or complex productions, and based on the fact thatGrown Ups 3seems like a surefire success, it is shocking that it hasn’t happened yet.
Luckily, mumblings about a third film are starting to occur.James responded to a question aboutGrown Ups 3’s developmentby saying, “I think it’s happening—something’s happening. I can say that.” This is obviously a great sign for the film, proving that things are moving in the right direction and that fans should “keep hope alive.”
9Billy Madison
Happy GilmoreandBilly Madisonare often lumped together as Sandler’s mid-1990s classics, and now that the former has a sequel, it is time for the latter to get the same treatment. Since its 1995 release, Sandler has not returned to the role of Billy Madison, despite there being an obvious story for a sequel.
In the original film, Billy must pass grades 1 through 12, which he successfully does. At the end of the movie, he expresses interest in going to college, which is what the sequel could be about.Billy Madison 2could see an older Billy realize that he never fulfilled that dream of becoming a teacher, requiring him to blast through college in order to get a degree.
8The Waterboy
1998’sThe Waterboyis another fantastic pick for a Sandler sequel, continuing the actor’s sports legacy sequel trend. The film follows Sandler as a waterboy who is fired from his job, leading to him getting hired by a rival team. There, the coach realizes his potential, making him a linebacker.
The film ends withSandler’s Bobby Boucher Jr.getting the opportunity to go to the NFL, setting up a clear sequel.The Waterboy2could see him finally go pro, continuing his football career years after his time with the Mud Dogs. While it may be hard to explain the time jump,Happy Gilmore 2proved that Sandler fans will turn out for his sports legacy sequels.
7The Wedding Singer
The other Sandler 1990s classic that still hasn’t gotten a sequel is 1998’sThe Wedding Singer. Considered to be one of Sandler’s best comedy movies, the film follows Robbie Hart, a wedding singer who is left at the altar. After falling in love with a bride whose wedding he is planning, Robbie must figure out how to make her fall in love with him before the big day.
The Wedding Singer’s low $18 million budget means that a sequel could be made pretty cheaply, and its box office of $123.3 million suggests it could be a big success. While it may be hard to devise a sequel story since Robbie and Julia admit their love for each other at the end, the original’s hint of a record label could be what getsThe Wedding Singer 2started.
6Leo
Although it may seem like a far cry from the rest of the Sandler comedies on this list,2023’sLeois ripe for a sequel. The animated film sees Sandler voice the titular tuatara, who realizes that he is only one year away from the species' average life expectancy. Since he has never accomplished his dream of going to the Everglades, Leo decides to escape.
At the end of the film,Leo learns that he could live to be over 100, easing his fears of his own mortality. On top of that, Leo is given to a new class of kindergartners, potentially setting up a sequel story. TheHotel Transylvaniamovies have proven that Sandler’s animated sequels can be huge, andLeo 2could continue this trend.
5Little Nicky
One ofSandler’s oddest comediesis also one with sequel potential:Little Nicky. The film follows Sandler as Nicky, a demon whose father is Satan and whose mother is an angel. When Satan decides not to turn Hell over to his sons, Nicky’s two older brothers devise a scheme to take over New York. The meek Nicky is then sent by Satan to stop his older brothers.
At the end of the film,Nicky and his wife Valerie have a half-demon son named Zachariah. The fantastical story ofLittle Nickymeans that there is lots of room for a sequel, and this new character could be the perfect story for a sequel. In the 25 years since the original film, Zachariah could have grown up, leading to another demonic conflict with Little Nicky.
4You Don’t Mess With The Zohan
You Don’t Mess with the Zohanis a spy action comedy starring Sandler as Zohan, an Israeli commando who dreams of moving to America and becoming a hair stylist. While he eventually does make it to New York City, Zohan’s ties to the higher-ups in the Israeli and Palestinian conflict make life difficult, dragging him back into the world of counter-terrorism.
The incredibly controversial nature ofYou Don’t Mess with the Zohan’s subject mattermay make a sequel unlikely. If one does get made, however, there are plenty of options for further spy stories.
The original film had a whopping budget of $90 million, proving that Sandler and the gang had a lot of confidence in the movie. This is why it’s so shocking that a sequel hasn’t happened, as the original made $204.3 million.
3Bedtime Stories
Sandler collaborated with Disney to make the family comedyBedtime Stories, and despite the film being a staple for an entire generation, a sequel still hasn’t happened. It tells the story of Sandler’s Skeeter Bronson, a handyman who tells his niece and nephew bedtime stories. However, he begins to suspect that these stories are coming to life, causing him to try and use this power to his advantage.
It is never fully confirmed if Skeeter’s stories are actually coming to life, as each instance seems to have a natural explanation. However, the premise of the film is incredibly strong, and there would be a lot more that could be explored inBedtime Stories 2.
2Click
2006’sClickis one of Sandler’s most popular movies from the 2000s. It follows a man named Michael Newman who buys a universal remote that allows him to control reality. Michael can use all kinds of functions, but he finds fast-forwarding to be the most useful, although things eventually go horribly wrong.
At the end ofClick, it is revealed thatthe events of the film are a dream, making a sequel a bit difficult to pull off. However, the writers ofClick 2could undoubtedly find a way to make another universal remote story work, as the fairy tale vibe can make up for any slight logical inconsistencies.
1Pixels
Finally,Sandler’s 2015 filmPixelsis another one that is perfect for a sequel. The original movie sees Sandler’s video game expert lead a team against an alien invasion that has taken the form of popular arcade game characters. The film features icons like Donkey Kong, Pac-Man, and Centipede, but the franchise still has so much untapped potential.
Decades of video games still haven’t been explored in thePixelsfranchise, and another alien invasion could expand on this concept even further.The premise ofPixelshas broad appeal, and it is a comparatively recent Sandler movie. IfHappy Gilmore 2can be a big success, then so canPixels.
