Happy Gilmore | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Dennis Dugan |
Written by | |
Produced by | Robert Simonds |
Starring |
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Cinematography | Arthur Albert |
Edited by | Jeff Gourson |
Music by | Mark Mothersbaugh |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 92 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $12 million[1] |
Box office | $41.2 million[2] |
Happy Gilmore is a 1996 American sports comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan, produced by Robert Simonds, and starring Adam Sandler in the title role, Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen, and Carl Weathers.
It follows the namesake failed ice hockey player who seeks to gather enough money to stop the foreclosure of his grandmother's house. Happy discovers a talent for golf and competes in paid tournaments, causing upset in the golf community as he gains a following for his skill and unconventional behavior.
The screenplay was written by Sandler and his writing partner Tim Herlihy, in their second feature collaboration after the previous year's Billy Madison. The film also marks the first of several collaborations between Sandler and Dugan.
Happy Gilmore was released in theaters on February 16, 1996, by Universal Pictures. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, the film was a commercial success, earning $41.2 million on a $12 million budget, and it won an MTV Movie Award for Best Fight for Sandler and Bob Barker. As of 2024, a sequel is in development.