With Happy Gilmore 2 smashing records on Netflix – 46.7 million views in three days and 3.6 billion minutes watched in its first week – it’s officially the biggest U.S. debut for a Netflix film and Adam Sandler’s top opener. Sports comedies like this prove why we love them: competitive spirit, outrageous humor, and lovable oddballs. If Happy Gilmore had you laughing till your sides hurt, you’re in for a treat – we’ve pulled together a list of movies like Happy Gilmore that feature hilarious underdog stories guaranteed to have you cheering and chuckling all the way.
15 Movies To Watch If You Liked Happy Gilmore
Movies Like Happy Gilmore That You Can’t Miss
1. The Waterboy
Another Adam Sandler classic, The Waterboy follows Bobby Boucher, a shy waterboy who discovers a talent for football tackling. Like Happy Gilmore, it’s packed with ridiculous humor, an eccentric underdog story, and Sandler’s signature goofy charm.
2. Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
When a ragtag team enters a high-stakes dodgeball tournament, chaos and hilarity ensue. Much like Happy Gilmore, it thrives on absurd characters, outrageous sports action, and the classic “misfits versus the pros” formula.
3. The Stick
Not a movie, but The Stick absolutely earns its spot on this list. Once on the fast track to golf glory, Pryce Cahill’s career imploded after a legendary on-course meltdown. Now, he’s all in on coaching a teenage golf prodigy — a redemption ride packed with big laughs and heart, perfect for fans of sports comedies like Happy Gilmore.
4. Ted Lasso
It may be a series, not a movie, but it absolutely belongs on this list – an upbeat American football coach tackles the wild challenge of managing a British soccer team despite knowing almost nothing about the sport. Brimming with heart, humor, and biscuits, it’s a feel-good win for fans of uplifting underdog stories like Happy Gilmore.
5. Semi-Pro
Will Ferrell stars as Jackie Moon, a disco singer turned basketball team owner-player in the 1970s. Just like Happy Gilmore, it’s full of over-the-top antics, eccentric characters, and a heartfelt underdog storyline hidden under all the laughs.
6. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
This NASCAR comedy stars Will Ferrell as a cocky race car driver who must reclaim his glory. Similar to Happy Gilmore, it’s about a quirky sports hero with a big ego, outrageous rivals, and a ton of slapstick moments.
7. Grudge Match (2013)
Boxing veterans (De Niro and Stallone) face off in a “senior citizen” rematch, blending nostalgia with slapstick. The movie trades on old-school rivalry, goofy bravado, and an underdog comeback spirit familiar to Happy Gilmore fans. It’s gentler, star-powered, and built around character banter and comic timing more than physical athletics. If you like your sports comedies with celebrity showdowns and heartfelt endings, this fits the bill.
8. Caddyshack
This golf comedy classic paved the way for Happy Gilmore. Featuring eccentric players, wild gags, and a chaotic country club, it shares the same irreverent take on the sport and “anything can happen” energy.
9. The Longest Yard
Both the original and Adam Sandler remake follow prisoners forming a football team to take on the guards. Like Happy Gilmore, it mixes sports action with irreverent humor, oddball teammates, and a “stick it to the man” vibe.
10. The Benchwarmers
A group of misfit adults forms a baseball team to take on little leaguers. Like Happy Gilmore, it’s absurd, over-the-top, and celebrates the underdogs no one expected to win.
.
11. The Comebacks (2007)
A full-on parody of sports-movie clichés — complete with cheesy montages, ridiculous coaches, and impossible comebacks. It lovingly skewers the same underdog tropes that make Happy Gilmore so lovable, only dialed up to absurd levels. If you like your sports films served with meta-jokes and constant wink-wink humor, this one’s a must-watch. Perfect when you want broad laughs and zero seriousness.
12. BASEketball
From the creators of South Park, this hybrid sports comedy combines baseball and basketball into one absurd game — the same type of ridiculous, rule-breaking fun that made Happy Gilmore so great.
13. Cool Runnings
Based on the true story of the Jamaican bobsled team, this comedy shows a group of unlikely athletes chasing their Olympic dream. It shares Happy Gilmore’s heartwarming mix of misfit sportsmanship and inspirational laughs.
14. The Ringer (2005)
A man enters the Special Olympics as part of a scheme, but ends up learning humility and genuine connection. It balances cringe comedy with heart, turning outrageous antics into real emotional beats. Like Happy Gilmore, it’s an underdog story full of oddball characters who surprise you. If you enjoy laughs that slowly reveal warmth beneath the absurdity, this one’s for you.
15. Blades of Glory
When two rival figure skaters are banned from singles competition, they team up for an absurd comeback. Like Happy Gilmore, it’s a bizarre sports setup with extreme comedy, unexpected partnerships, and plenty of “how is this even a sport?” moments.
Bonus: Slap Shot
Paul Newman leads a hockey team that turns to violent antics to stay afloat. Like Happy Gilmore, it’s a rough-and-tumble sports comedy where the players are as wild as the games themselves.
Which ones are your favourite? Did we miss out on any one good? Also Watch: Best Comedy Movies on Netflix