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The basics:

• “Happy Gilmore 2” filmed in 31 municipalities, 9 counties across NJ
• Record $153M qualified film spend — highest ever in the state
• $1.2M spent on lodging, $6.4M on hiring 1,655 extras
• Featured New Jersey golf courses, Newark airport & local landmarks

“Happy Gilmore 2” has generated buzz throughout the summer. And now, we are learning more about the economic impact the film’s production had here in the great Garden State.

The New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission announced Aug. 19 that during its 64 days filming in the state, the Adam Sandler-led sequel registered a total qualified spend of $152.5 million. The figure marks the highest qualified spend of any production filmed in New Jersey.

The movie, which premiered on Netflix last month 30 years after the iconic original film, utilized the state’s Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program, which NJBIZ has reported on. New Jersey Economic Development Authority administers that program, and also oversees the NJMPTVC.

“Under Gov. Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey has become a Happy Place for filmmakers, with our above par tax credits, all-star local talent, and diverse locations,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “As productions continue selecting New Jersey, the film industry will boost our economy by helping generate good-paying jobs and support small businesses throughout the state.

Key facts and figures about “Happy Gilmore 2”:

• Average spend per day: $2.3 million
• Production spent $1.2 million on lodging and $6.4 million on hiring extras
• Total hires for the production: 1,655
• Filmed in 31 municipalities and nine counties across New Jersey
• The “Gilmore home” filmed at a private home in Irvington; the interior filmed at a private home in Belleville
• Features a number of New Jersey golf courses, including:
  • Beacon Hill Country Club Atlantic Highlands
  • Fiddler’s Elbow Bedminster
  • Forest Hill Field Club Bloomfield
  • Closter Golf Center Closter
  • Alpine Country Club Demarest
  • Farmview Golf Center Hackettstown
  • Rockleigh Golf Course, Essex Golf Center Roseland
  • Montclair Golf Club West Orange
• Other notable locations where filming took place include:
  • Newark Liberty International Airport
  • Fairleigh Dickinson University
  • Pleasantdale Chateau West Orange
  • The former Essex County Isolation Hospital Belleville

“Happy Gilmore 2 showcases New Jersey’s exceptional versatility in doubling as a variety of locations,” Jon Crowley, executive director of the NJMPTVC. “From golf courses and universities, to airports, beaches, and quintessential suburban neighborhoods, New Jersey has everything a production company desires.”

The film follows other recent notable Netflix productions here in the state – such as “Nonnas” and “The Irishman,” as well as upcoming movies: “The Whisper Man,” “72 Hours” and “Office Romance.” Of course, as NJBIZ has extensively reported on, Netflix has committed to building a major $1 billion production hub at Fort Monmouth. That project broke ground in May.

And Adam Sandler and his production company – Happy Madison Productions – have again chosen New Jersey for its next project: “Don’t Say Good Luck.” The teen musical has filmed in Cranford, Livingston and Ridgewood.

Crowley added, “We look forward to welcoming more and more productions to the Garden State.”

From golf courses and universities, to airports, beaches, and quintessential suburban neighborhoods, New Jersey has everything a production company desires.
– Jon Crowley, executive director, NJMPTVC