The independent horror film "Buddy" has surprised industry observers by exceeding its box office projections, earning over $5.3 million in its opening domestic weekend. This performance continues a recent trend of low-budget horror movies achieving significant commercial success.
Directed by Casper Kelly, known for his work on "Mandy" and the "Adult Film Yule Log" movies, "Buddy" features a screenplay co-written by Kelly and Jamie King. The film centers on an educational children's television show about a giant, orange unicorn named Buddy. The narrative takes a dark turn when a child on the show discovers the horrifying consequences of not participating in Buddy's games.
The cast includes Cristin Milioti as a mother searching for her child who disappeared during the show. Keegan-Michael Key provides the voice for Buddy the Unicorn. Patton Oswalt, Michael Shannon, and Topher Grace also feature in the film.
Currently, "Buddy" is exclusively available in movie theaters, with showtimes listed on platforms like Fandango. The film has not yet been released for online rental or streaming.
While an official digital release date has not been announced, industry analysts anticipate it may arrive in early October 2026. This projection is based on the release patterns of previous films from its distributor, Roadside Attractions. For instance, the Roadside Attractions film "Lucky Strike" became available for digital purchase approximately five weeks after its theatrical debut. If "Buddy" follows a similar timeline, it could be available for video-on-demand purchase around early October 2026. However, other releases from the distributor have taken up to two months to reach digital platforms, suggesting a potential wait until late October or early November.
It remains uncertain when, or if, "Buddy" will be accessible on subscription-based streaming services. Roadside Attractions, the film's distributor, does not currently have an output deal with major streaming platforms. While it is possible that a streamer could acquire the rights after the digital release, particularly given the film's theatrical performance, no such deal has been confirmed.