The long-awaited sequel, Happy Gilmore 2, has officially landed on Netflix, and the details surrounding its production are just as wild as Happy's slapshot swing. Unlike the original 1996 classic, which was famously shot entirely in Canada, the sequel completely shifted its backdrop, making a monumental move to the East Coast of the United States. As of December 10, 2025, the definitive answer to "Where was Happy Gilmore 2 filmed?" is that the production spent a record-breaking 64 days shooting across the state of New Jersey, with a few key scenes potentially captured in Los Angeles, California.
This massive production was confirmed by Adam Sandler himself and resulted in an enormous economic boost for the Garden State, generating an estimated $152.5 million in qualified spending. The decision to film in New Jersey was a deliberate choice, showcasing a wide range of real-life settings from historic golf clubs to major transportation hubs, creating a fresh, new world for the legendary hockey-player-turned-golfer.
The Garden State Takeover: All Key Happy Gilmore 2 Filming Locations
The principal photography for Happy Gilmore 2 took place primarily in New Jersey during the fall of 2024, utilizing nine different counties and an astonishing 31 towns. This extensive use of local areas allowed the film to capture the diverse landscape of the state, from bustling urban centers to serene, historic golf courses. The sheer scale of the production in New Jersey is what sets it apart from its predecessor.
The Championship Course: Montclair Golf Club
The most crucial location for the film's golf action was the Montclair Golf Club in Verona, New Jersey. This historic, private club, which is one of the oldest American golf courses, served as the primary setting for all the championship match sequences in the sequel.
The club’s rolling green pastures, challenging fairways, and classic clubhouse provided the perfect dramatic backdrop for Happy Gilmore's return to the professional golf circuit. The use of a real, established golf institution like Montclair Golf Club adds a layer of authenticity and prestige to the new film's narrative.
Major Cities and Town Halls
While the golf course was key, the film also utilized numerous non-golf locations to establish the world of the sequel. The following New Jersey cities and towns served as confirmed filming sites, often featuring recognizable local landmarks:
- Verona: Beyond the golf club, scenes were shot at the Verona Town Hall, integrating the town's municipal life into the story.
- Newark: The film made use of the major transportation hub, Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), for travel and transition scenes.
- Jersey City: A major metropolitan area that provided urban backdrops.
- Clifton and Garfield: Other key cities in the region used for various exterior and interior shots.
- Millburn: Included as a location, likely for suburban or commercial scenes.
The production team’s decision to spread filming across such a wide geographical area—encompassing counties like Morris, Essex, and Bergen—speaks to the film’s commitment to capturing a broad East Coast feel.
Behind the Scenes: The Economic Impact and Entity List
The filming of Happy Gilmore 2 was not just a cinematic event; it was a major economic driver for New Jersey. The production's massive $152.5 million spend made it one of the largest film productions in the state's history, benefiting local businesses, hotels, and crew members.
The extensive list of entities and specific locations used provides a wealth of topical authority for the sequel's setting. Here is a list of confirmed and highly-reported entities that appear in Happy Gilmore 2, demonstrating the depth of the New Jersey production:
Notable Specific Filming Entities
- Montclair Golf Club (Verona, NJ)
- Verona Town Hall (Verona, NJ)
- Newark Liberty International Airport (Newark, NJ)
- Fairleigh Dickinson University (Multiple Campuses, NJ)
- Pleasantdale Château (West Orange, NJ)
- Life Time Health Club (Florham Park, NJ)
- Dick's Sporting Goods (Wayne, NJ)
- Stop & Shop (A local supermarket chain used for a scene)
- Jersey City (Cityscape and street scenes)
- Clifton (Various locations)
- Garfield (Various locations)
- Millburn (Various locations)
- Morris County, NJ (One of the nine counties used)
- Essex County, NJ (Another major county used)
- Bergen County, NJ (Another major county used)
- Netflix (The studio producing and distributing the sequel)
- Adam Sandler (Star and Co-Writer)
- Kyle Newacheck (Director)
- Tim Herlihy (Co-Writer)
This comprehensive list of locations, from the historic golf club to major retail and university settings, highlights the sequel’s intention to ground Happy Gilmore’s return in a contemporary, realistic East Coast environment.
From Vancouver to Verona: Why the Location Shift?
The original 1996 film, Happy Gilmore, was filmed entirely in British Columbia, Canada, primarily around the Vancouver area. The main golf course featured in the first movie was the Swaneset Bay Resort & Country Club in Pitt Meadows, BC.
The shift for the sequel from the Pacific Northwest of Canada to the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States is significant. This change is likely due to several factors:
- Tax Incentives: New Jersey offers highly competitive film tax credits, which were a major factor in attracting the massive $152.5 million production budget.
- Creative Vision: The move may reflect a creative decision by Adam Sandler and the production team to give the sequel a distinct, fresh visual identity separate from the original.
- Adam Sandler's Ties: Sandler has strong ties to the East Coast, and his production company, Happy Madison, often films in locations that are convenient for the star.
While the bulk of the filming was in New Jersey, reports also indicate that some scenes may have been shot in Los Angeles, California. This is a common practice for major Hollywood productions, where a few days of filming are often conducted near the studio base for interior shots or logistical reasons.
In conclusion, Happy Gilmore 2 is a true New Jersey production. The film’s setting is a character in itself, with the storied Montclair Golf Club replacing Swaneset Bay and the urban landscapes of Newark and Jersey City providing the backdrop for Happy’s new life. This definitive location shift ensures that the sequel feels both familiar in its humor and fresh in its environment, giving fans a whole new course to explore.
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