Netflix has another new film arriving this week, with Don’t Say Good Luck bringing Adam Sandler’s daughter, Sunny Sandler, back to our screens in a coming-of-age dramedy from director Julia Hart. The film premieres globally tomorrow, Friday 14 August 2026, with Melanie Lynskey, Max Greenfield, Stephanie Beatriz and Steve Buscemi among the cast.
Sandler stars as Sophie Birenbaum, a teenager who has just landed the lead role in her high school musical when her life at home suddenly changes. Her mother Elizabeth, played by Lynskey, learns that her cancer has returned, leaving Sophie trying to navigate everything happening with her family at the same time as one of the biggest opportunities of her life. The story was originally written by Laura Hankin and draws from her own experience of getting the lead in her school musical around the time her mother’s cancer returned.
What Time Is Don’t Say Good Luck on Netflix UK?
Don’t Say Good Luck will be released on Netflix on Friday, 14 August 2026. Netflix Originals typically arrive globally at midnight Pacific Time, meaning UK viewers should expect the film to become available at around 8am BST on Friday morning, unless Netflix sets a title-specific release time.
Who Is in the Don’t Say Good Luck Cast?
Sunny Sandler leads the cast as Sophie, with Melanie Lynskey playing her mother Elizabeth and New Girl star Max Greenfield appearing as her father Ted. Jack Champion stars as Jack and Stephanie Beatriz plays Ms. Parker, with Scarlett Estevez, Emma McNulty and Elyse Bell also appearing.
The wider cast includes Bebe Neuwirth as Linda, Steve Buscemi as Dale and Jon Lovitz as Lenny. Director Julia Hart has said Sunny Sandler was the first person she considered for Sophie, with the role requiring her to handle both the film’s musical performances and the more difficult parts of Sophie’s story.
Is Adam Sandler in Don’t Say Good Luck?
Despite Sunny Sandler taking the lead, Adam Sandler is not currently included in Netflix’s announced cast for the film. He is involved behind the scenes as a producer alongside Jackie Sandler, Jordan Horowitz, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones and Fred Berger. There is plenty of family involvement elsewhere too. Hart’s husband and frequent collaborator Jordan Horowitz co-wrote the screenplay with Hart and Hankin, and members of the cast and crew’s families were used as extras throughout the production.
For CultureCues, we are really looking forward to seeing Sunny Sandler take the lead again after You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah, and pairing her with Melanie Lynskey and Max Greenfield makes this an easy addition to our weekend watchlist. The high school musical setting gives it plenty of fun to play with, but Sophie’s relationship with her mum looks set to hit us right in the feelings too. Maybe the title is warning us, but we are saying it anyway: good luck, Sophie.
Don’t Say Good Luck arrives on Netflix on Friday, 14 August 2026.
Nikki Murray is a UK-based writer, screenwriter and founder & editor of CultureCues, covering film, television, music and pop culture. Her work focuses on storytelling and the moments shaping modern entertainment.