Spotify enters gaming with ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ mini golf experience
Spotify is tapping into the world of interactive content with the release of a mini golf game tied to Netflix’s upcoming comedy sequel Happy Gilmore 2. This marks a bold new direction for the music-streaming giant, which has traditionally stayed out of the gaming space. The move is not just about promoting a film — it's also an experimental step toward enhancing user engagement through playful, audio-enhanced experiences. The Happy Gilmore 2 Tournament game is designed to offer users a memorable blend of mini-golf mechanics, iconic audio from the original movie, and personalized Spotify playlists, all within the Spotify app. For those wondering whether Spotify is getting serious about gaming, this could be the first clue.
Image Credits:Netflix
New Spotify game celebrates the Happy Gilmore legacy
Spotify’s collaboration with Netflix on the Happy Gilmore 2 mini golf game is more than a nostalgic nod to the 1996 cult classic — it’s a calculated engagement strategy. Built in partnership with MiK Studio, the interactive mini-game takes players through three quirky holes that reflect the movie’s comedic spirit. Tapping your screen to hit the golf ball isn’t just about fun — it’s a chance to unlock soundbites from the movie and discover cleverly placed Easter eggs like Happy’s hockey stick, boots, and even an alligator. This playful integration shows how Spotify is creatively leveraging content partnerships to build a more immersive and emotionally resonant user experience.
With the Happy Gilmore 2 Tournament available only inside the Spotify app, users are encouraged to stay on-platform longer — a win for engagement metrics. Meanwhile, Netflix benefits from organic buzz as fans share their game scores and playlists across social media. For a streaming economy increasingly focused on attention and retention, this game is a win-win experiment in cross-platform synergy.
How to play Spotify’s mini golf game in the app
Playing the Happy Gilmore 2 Tournament is simple and fun, especially for mobile users already familiar with casual tapping games. Once you open the Spotify app, search for the game or tap on the promotional banner. You’ll be greeted by the mini golf interface, where you tap at the right moment to perfect your golf swing. The game spans three animated holes with increasing difficulty, and each completed level rewards users with a humorous movie quote or nostalgic clip from Happy Gilmore.
Beyond just playing, Spotify enhances the user experience with a personalized playlist of upbeat tracks tailored to your listening history — essentially turning this gaming session into a fully branded entertainment moment. The addition of shareable content — including your score, playlist, and a link to the official Happy Gilmore 2 trailer — ensures the campaign has viral potential, especially among fans of the original film and casual mobile gamers.
Spotify's new direction: Entertainment beyond music
While this isn’t Spotify’s first venture into casual gaming — the hidden Eat This Playlist game from 2023 served as a playful Easter egg — the partnership with Netflix represents a significant shift. Unlike its previous solo experiment, this project shows Spotify is open to collaborations that expand its role from just a music and podcast provider to a more comprehensive entertainment platform. Whether this marks the start of a new trend or remains a one-off promotional tactic depends on user feedback and engagement metrics from this release.
From an SEO and content strategy perspective, this campaign checks multiple boxes: gamified interaction, multimedia storytelling, personalization, and social sharing — all embedded natively within Spotify’s ecosystem. It aligns with broader industry trends where platforms are seeking deeper, multi-touch engagement with users. If successful, Spotify’s mini golf game could pave the way for more branded mini-games tied to major entertainment releases, transforming how we experience music, movies, and games all in one place.
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