Buddy (2026 film)
A forgotten children's show becomes a deadly trap.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Buddy is a 2026 American black comedy supernatural horror film. It marks the feature directorial debut of Casper Kelly, who co-wrote the screenplay with Jamie King. The cast includes Cristin Milioti, Delaney Quinn, Patton Oswalt, Clint Howard, Michael Shannon, Topher Grace, and Keegan-Michael Key, who voices the title character. The story centers on children trapped inside a bizarre 1990s-style children’s TV show, trying to escape from their evil unicorn host.
The film premiered on January 22, 2026, in the Midnight section of the Sundance Film Festival. It was released theatrically in the United States on August 28, 2026, by Roadside Attractions and Saban Films. Critics gave it generally positive reviews.
- release_year
- 2026
- director
- Casper Kelly
- writers
- Casper Kelly and Jamie King
- genre
- Black comedy supernatural horror
- runtime
- Not specified
- box_office
- Not specified
- Rotten_Tomatoes_score
- 89% positive (123 reviews)
Lore & Background
The film premiered in the Midnight section of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2026, and was theatrically released in the United States on August 28, 2026, by Roadside Attractions and Saban Films. The plot centers on the fictional 1990s children's series 'It's Buddy!', hosted by an anthropomorphic talking unicorn with magic powers. Children trapped in the show must escape Buddy, who kills cast members and replaces them. In the real world, a woman named Grace is pulled into the show after a psychic ritual.
Reader's Guide
Buddy received generally positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, 89% of 123 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7/10. The website's consensus reads: 'Buddy weaponizes the cheery conventions of children's entertainment into an inventive, hilarious, and creepy descent into pop culture madness.' Metacritic assigned a score of 67 out of 100, indicating 'generally favorable' reviews. The film is notable for its meta-horror approach, blending nostalgia with supernatural terror, and for being Casper Kelly's feature directorial debut.
Did You Know?
- Keegan-Michael Key voices the title character Buddy, an anthropomorphic orange unicorn.
- The film premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2026.
- Principal photography began the week of July 22, 2025, in Northeast Ohio locations including Brooklyn, Solon, and Burton.
- The film's Rotten Tomatoes consensus describes it as 'an inventive, hilarious, and creepy descent into pop culture madness.'
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Buddy (2026 film)?
Buddy is a 2026 American black comedy supernatural horror film in which a group of kids finds themselves locked inside a creepy 1990s-style children's television program and must fight their way out before the show's sinister unicorn host finishes them off.
Who voices the title character Buddy?
Keegan-Michael Key lends his voice to Buddy, the evil unicorn who serves as the host of the cursed children's show and the central antagonist the trapped kids must outsmart.
Who directed Buddy (2026)?
Casper Kelly made Buddy his feature-length directorial debut, sharing the writing credit with Jamie King.
What is the main conflict in Buddy?
A handful of children become trapped inside a forgotten, bizarrely styled kids' TV program and are forced to escape the deadly game rules imposed by the show's malevolent unicorn host before they are permanently consumed by it.
Where and when did Buddy (2026) first screen?
The film had its world premiere in the Midnight section of the Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2026, before going on to a U.S. theatrical release.
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