If you like puppets, practical effects, and grotesque horror that is disguised as something cutesy, then *Buddy* is a must-see. As a horror film, it’s surprising because it feels fresh and original with not only its comedic roots and psychological elements but also because it thrusts the audience into a bloodthirsty wo…
7.0/10The story
What Buddy is about
Inside the colorful world of "It's Buddy!", a group of children spend their days singing, dancing, and helping Buddy - bright orange unicorn - spread happiness. But when one child refuses to play along, Buddy is not pleased and cracks begin to appear in this seemingly perfect world.
Buddy is a horror, comedy and fantasy film from 2026, directed by Casper Kelly. It runs 1h 36m and is rated R in the US. It was produced by BoulderLight Pictures, Low Spark Films and SIPUR, with production in United States of America, Israel.
The main cast is led by Keegan-Michael Key, Delaney Quinn, Tristan Borders, Madison Skyy Polan. The screenplay was written by Casper Kelly, Jamie King. Reported worldwide gross stands at $27.0M.
Why it matters: Buddy currently holds 7.0/10 from 234 TMDB user ratings and has taken $27.0M worldwide against a $3.0M budget. Figures move as more ratings and box-office updates arrive.
Editor’s note
Should you watch Buddy?
Buddy is best suited to an atmospheric night in with the lights low. At 1h 36m, it fits a single evening without a break. The draw is Keegan-Michael Key and Delaney Quinn, directed by Casper Kelly.
It currently holds 7.0/10 from 234 ratings. That is a small sample, so treat the score as an early indication.
TMDB tags the film with themes including supernatural, dark comedy, gore and slasher.
The US certification is R: restricted: it contains material intended for adults, including strong language or violence.
If you like this, try Coraline, Minions & Monsters or A Dog's Will.
Auto-generated from TMDB data (runtime, cast, ratings, keywords, certification). Last updated November 4, 2026.
Availability
Where to watch Buddy
12 official sources across 2 regions. Rows with a direct link open this exact title on the provider’s own site; the others open that provider’s own search for the title, where price, video quality and audio options are confirmed before you pay.
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Who is in it
Buddy cast
Character names follow the film's credits. Open a name to see that person's other work on MovieState.
Behind the camera
Direction and crew
DirectorCasper Kelly
WritersCasper Kelly, Jamie King
ProducersAdam J. Wilde, Casper Kelly
MusicMichael Yezerski
CinematographyZach Kuperstein
EditingJosh Ethier
Audience reaction
Ratings and reviews
7.0/10234 ratings
Buddy sits at 7.0 out of 10 from 234 user ratings. For context, the film's worldwide gross is $27.0M.
Scores show TMDB user ratings at the time of publishing and shift as new votes arrive.
Buddy (2026) starts like a fake children's show—giving major Don't Hug Me I'm Scared and Amanda the Adventurer game vibes—before going off the rails. After showing fake Barney-style episodes, it abruptly shifts to a real-world family. The mom realizes something is wrong after her daughter gets dragged into Buddy’s d…
The facts
Buddy key details
| Original title | Buddy |
|---|---|
| Status | Released |
| Release date | January 22, 2026 |
| Runtime | 1h 36m |
| Certification | R in United States |
| Original language | EN |
| Spoken languages | English, Spanish |
| Country | United States of America, Israel |
| Budget | $3.0M |
| Worldwide gross | $27.0M |
| Studios | BoulderLight Pictures, Low Spark Films, SIPUR, Substance |
| Also known as | Бадді, Buddy: The Sing-Along Version, Бадди |
Release information
Release dates by country
| Country | Date | Cert |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Jan 22, 2026 | R |
| United Kingdom | Aug 28, 2026 | NR |
| Canada | Aug 1, 2026 | 14A |
| Egypt | Aug 31, 2026 | NR |
| France | Sep 5, 2026 | NR |
| Germany | Sep 4, 2026 | NR |
| Netherlands | Oct 31, 2026 | NR |
| PR | Sep 17, 2026 | R |
| Poland | Dec 4, 2026 | NR |
| Saudi Arabia | Sep 26, 2026 | NR |
Official trailer for Buddy, via RoadsideFlix. Open on YouTube
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Who directed Buddy?
Buddy was directed by Casper Kelly.
Who is in the cast of Buddy?
The main cast includes Keegan-Michael Key, Delaney Quinn, Tristan Borders, Madison Skyy Polan, Caleb Williams.
How long is Buddy?
Buddy runs 1h 36m.
When was Buddy released?
It was released in the United States on January 22, 2026. Release dates vary by country — see the table above.
What is Buddy rated?
Certification depends on the country: R in United States. Always check your local rating before watching with family.
Where can I watch Buddy online?
Availability changes by region and by week. The table above lists the streaming, rental and purchase services reported for major markets. Check the provider page for today's price and quality.
Can I watch Buddy in HD or 4K?
Most digital stores offer Buddy in HD, and newer releases are often available in 4K. Check the quality label on the provider's page before you pay.
How much did Buddy earn?
Reported worldwide gross is $27.0M against a budget of $3.0M. Box office figures update over time.
Keep watching
More films like Buddy
Data sources: TMDB (titles, cast, crew, release dates, provider listings and user ratings). Availability and box office figures change over time; this page was last rebuilt on November 4, 2026. We publish information only; we do not host or stream video files.
Exact record pages: IMDb record · TMDB record · Official site
At a glance: Buddy runs 1h 36m, opened in US cinemas on January 22, 2026, has 12 licensed options across 2 regions tracked here.