Tools for this page
Print

Happy Gilmore

(1996, Rated PG-13, Comedy, Starring Christopher McDonald, Adam Sandler, Carl Weathers)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Adolescent humor at its best/worst.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–14

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Protagonist is violent and uses a lot of profanity, but has a good heart.
  • Violence:

    Violence is portrayed in a comical manner. A couple of fistfights, protagonist threatens another person with a broken bottle.
  • Sex:

    Masturbation references, protagonist has fantasy of a woman in lingerie.
  • Language:

    Lots of profanity.
  • Consumerism:

    Continuous references to Pepsi and Subway, but it is used more as a jab to commercialism than promoting commercialism.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    For the most part minimal, but there are a couple scenes of golf spectators chugging beer.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Happy Gilmore

Parents need to know that the biggest red flag for this movie is the cursing and violent behavior of Happy Gilmore (Adam Sandler). His short fuse results in a number of skirmishes, including an extended (comic) fight scene with Bob Barker. The two brutally pound on each other until Gilmore is eventually knocked unconscious. Another scene has Gilmore threaten another golfer with the shards of a broken beer bottle. The profanity shies away from sexual comments, and is comprised mostly of the F word and the S word. Kids will enjoy Sandler's over-the-top and abrasive humor, as well as the ongoing joke of a golfer's handicapped hand that had been eaten by an alligator.

Read our full review by Alex Orner

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about Sandler's character. His best friends in the film include a physically challenged ex-pro golfer, a homeless man, an amiable public relations woman, and his sweet grandmother. In addition, Gilmore earns a lot of money through his golf tournament wins with the goal of saving his grandmother's house. Do these sweet-natured friendships and altruistic deeds make up for his violent behavior? Is it the humor or the violence that makes Adam Sandler films so popular?

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Happy Gilmore?
  •  I think this movie is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    loved it

  4. I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    O.k.

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    profane funny adam sandler comedy

    this one of adam sandler's best movies by far it uses profanity and extreme comic violence to get laughs and mostly succeeds.however ths shining star outside of adam is ben stiller funny role of the man who runs the nursing comically abusing the people in to ahndkniting quilts for him to sell on the black market.

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message

    Perfect for older kids, but not for tweens

    While this movie was pretty good, it was filled with obscenities and things you shouldn't let your kids see, without a good hold on the fast-forward button! If you talk to your kids about it, and you pre-view it, you'll be fine. And, by the way, its really funny and your older kids will enjoy it!!!!!! :-)

  7. Kid Reviewer Age 9
    Lives in New Hampshire
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    Very good

    This is a very good movie.

  8. I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 5.0

  9. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    this i funny

    funny with salty words

  10. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  11. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    The Best Adam Sandler Movie...

    Ever. One of my all-time favorite movies (in any genre). Almost every single scene is hilarious.

  12. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    it good

    funny movie

  13. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Idaho
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 2.0

  14. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    hee hee hee...

    lmao. Happy Gilmore is sooo funny! If you don't mind swearing, age 10+ is fine. I'm an Adam Sandler fan... you either love him or you h8 him... He's definitely my fave actor!!

  15. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Michigan
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    clasic

    the funnuiest movie ever my little brother saw it yesterday and he loved it i loved it and my twin brother loved it since my 9 year old brother saw it i think its ok for kids ages 9 and up

  16. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Nevada
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Best golfing movie to make me laugh hard!

    Hi, I'm HerbstcChef702 and I'm reviewing Happy Gilmore. The story is about a wannabe hockey player who tryouts for a hockey team and left out not being in the team. His beloved grandma spent her whole life in her house and didn't pay the taxes for a decade. While the movers were moving Happy's grandma's things out, one of the movers were using Happy's grandpa's golf clubs to take a swing. The mover would like to see Happy could hit the golf ball farther than the mover and Happy hit the golf at approximated 400 yards hitting unsuspected neighbors. Happy found a solution to pay the taxes and the house, and the only way to do that is to play the game that he feared the most: golf. I'm very surprised of Adam Sandler and his comedic genius. The lighting is bright, the acting is very good and the lines are very funny. I would recommend the movie for 15 or older audience if you or your friends would love this movie. I will give Happy Gilmore, a 4 stars out of 5.

  17. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title off for age 11 and give it 4.0

    A CLASSIC!

  18. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    what a great movie!

    I think it's a great movie for everyone! I love this one, and so do my parents!!! Adam Sandler is hilarious as a violent golfer who loves his grandmother.

  19. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Colorado
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    A must Watch movie for all the wanna-be golfers out there

    Its a great movie that i think all kids who get shut down on one dream can start up another one

  20. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Most Popular This Week

    New Moon Is Rising

    New Moon Is Rising

    Fans are gearing up for the 11/20 release.

  • Tech Tip

    Learn the basics with our latest video.How to Text

    Learn the basics with our latest video.

  • Must See TV

    Fanboy and Chum Chum

    Fanboy and Chum Chum

    Zany adventures are low on depth but high on imagination.

  • Issue Spotlight

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    Our video game experts weigh in.

  • Game of the Week

    Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: New Year's Celebration

    Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: New Year's Celebration

    Virtual Chinese New Year with perfectly designed games.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name