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Buddy

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88% Tomatometer 106 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 500+ Verified Ratings
Remember BUDDY--the bright orange unicorn and star of that classic children's television show who brought joy and life lessons into your living room? Inside the colorful world of "It's Buddy!", a group of children spend their days singing, dancing, and helping Buddy spread happiness. But when one child refuses to play along, Buddy is not pleased and cracks begin to appear in this seemingly perfect world.
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Buddy

Buddy

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Critics Consensus

Buddy weaponizes the cheery conventions of children's entertainment into an inventive, hilarious, and creepy descent into pop culture madness.

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Critics Reviews

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Robert Abele Los Angeles Times 8h
Enjoyably weird to the end, its horror soul in line with the creepypasta ethos of something undefined yet eternal. Go to Full Review Perri Nemiroff Perri Nemiroff (YouTube) 12h
4/5
I really love everything about how this movie was made and how practical and handmade the entire thing feels. I think it aligns with the whole concept, this being a Barney-like show. Go to Full Review Tomris Laffly RogerEbert.com 3d
3.5/4
It’s a trippy, ballsy, and genuinely entertaining package that shouldn’t work at all. But it does, and I can’t believe it exists. Go to Full Review Susan Kamyab Good Morning Texas (ABC 8 Dallas WFAA) 3h
B-
While there are some creepy horror elements, you may find yourself awkwardly laughing more than anything and just appreciating the craft behind this twisted horror parody of Barney. Go to Full Review Fico Cangiano CineXpress 4h
3.5/5
Buddy is quite remarkable, and gloriously depraved. It effectively creeps you out, shocks you, and makes you laugh out loud - all at the same time. Grabs you with nostalgia, then smashes your head with OG horror. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Joel Harley Starburst 10h
4/5
A new horror icon is born in Buddy, a comedy-horror film that’s more than just empty nostalgia, or an unlikely killer parading around in a colourful suit. Now, how about that hug? Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Mario Benitez 1h In a year filled with great horror films and films in general, Buddy stands up with the best of them. I went into it blind not knowing what to expect and it was one of the funnest theater experiences yet. The stylization of it being a kids show brings out so many cool shots and cinematography throughout the run time. A long with a solid cast and child actors who help carry it along. The movie will stick with you because of its jingle. Which is working on multiple levels of the psyche. Another cool aspect is that it legit makes you laugh out loud with the absurdity of it all. I give Buddy a solid 8.5/10 insulin syringes easy. It may not be for everyone, but whoever enjoys it will LOVE BUDDY! See more Lily 2h Weird and strange movie See more omar G 2h It was funny as hell and well made. See more Jalen Terry 2h Took my wife to watch this one without either of us knowing anything about it. Car ride home at 11pm was silent. So silent to the point where I heard the electric buzz of the stop lights. When we got home we brushed our teeth and got in bed as we have work in 6 hours. I'm currently writing this as our backs are facing each other. I think she liked it. See more Juan 3h It’s just a good movie. Not scary at all. Has some good jokes in it. It hits the whole child show aesthetic out really well. Theres apoint you go into the real world and wanted to go back to the show world, Wasn’t the biggest fan of the school part of the ending See more Daniel 3h good movie idk why people hating See more Read all reviews
Buddy

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Cast & Crew

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Chris 'Casper' Kelly

Director

Cristin Milioti

Grace

Delaney Quinn

Freddy

Topher Grace

Ben

Keegan-Michael Key

Buddy

Michael Shannon

Willie

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Buddy

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Buddy

Buddy (2026) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Remember BUDDY--the bright orange unicorn and star of that classic children's television show who brought joy and life lessons into your living room? Inside the colorful world of "It's Buddy!", a group of children spend their days singing, dancing, and helping Buddy spread happiness. But when one child refuses to play along, Buddy is not pleased and cracks begin to appear in this seemingly perfect world.
Director
Chris 'Casper' Kelly
Producer
Tyler Davidson, Drew Sykes, Raphael Margules, J.D. Lifshitz, Tracy Rosenblum
Screenwriter
Chris 'Casper' Kelly, Jamie King
Distributor
Roadside Attractions / Saban Films
Production Co
BoulderLight Pictures, Low Spark Films, Sipur Studios, Substance
Rating
R (Bloody Violence|Some Drug Content|Language)
Genre
Horror, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 28, 2026, Wide
Runtime
1h 35m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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