Buddy (2026 film)
A forgotten children's show becomes a deadly trap.
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The film follows children trapped in a surreal 1990s-style children's television series who must escape when their giant orange unicorn host turns malevolent.[1] Keegan-Michael Key voices the title character Buddy, a beloved children's TV host with a dark and violent true nature.[2] Casper Kelly's first feature-length directorial work, the 2026 American black comedy supernatural horror film Buddy, was co-written by Kelly and Jamie King.[1]
Making and release
On July 22, 2025, Cristin Milioti was announced to star in the independent film Buddy, directed by Casper Kelly and co-written with Jamie King.[3] Under the BoulderLight Pictures banner, producers J. D. Lifshitz, Raphael Margules, and Tracy Rosenblum are attached to the project, with Tyler Davidson and Drew Sykes producing for Low Spark Films, an entity that also provides co-financing.[3] Filming for Buddy started during the week of July 22, 2025, and later that same month, Topher Grace became part of the cast.[3] A lead role in the film went to Delaney Quinn, who was added to the project in August 2025.[3]
North American distribution rights for Buddy were obtained by Roadside Attractions and Saban Films in April 2026, with a theatrical release initially set for September 4, 2026.[2] The theatrical release date was subsequently advanced to August 28, 2026.[4]
What the cited sources add
The film's beginning takes place entirely within the world of a 1999 TV show called Buddy.[5] A boy named Josh refuses to attend Buddy's dance party and says "I hate you," to Buddy's horror.[5] The only way out for the children is through a nearby park that Buddy claims is populated by monsters.[5] The film then shifts to the present day, where Grace, played by Cristin Milioti, lives with her husband Ben and their two sons.[5]
The Deadline Hollywood acquisition report notes that Keegan-Michael Key voices Buddy, Delaney Quinn plays Freddy, and Cristin Milioti plays Grace.[2] The film runs 1 hour and 35 minutes.[5] A review from Deadline characterizes Buddy as an anarchic horror-comedy that cleverly employs the world of children's television as a setting for a slasher film.[5]
References
- Wikipedia, "Buddy (2026 film)" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Roger Ebert (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Grobar, "Casper Kelly's Sundance Horror Flick 'Buddy' Starring Delaney Quinn, Keegan-Michael Key & Cristin Miloti Acquired By Roadside Attractions & Saban Films", Deadline Hollywood, April 23, 2026. facts only, no text reused. deadline.com
- Wikipedia, "Buddy (2026 film)" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Kit, "Cristin Milioti Starring in Unique Horror Movie 'Buddy' (Exclusive)", The Hollywood Reporter, July 22, 2025; Kit, "Topher Grace Joins Cristin Milioti In Unique Horror Movie 'Buddy' (Exclusive)", The Hollywood Reporter, July 30, 2025; Grobar, "Delaney Quinn Lands Lead Role Opposite Cristin Milioti & Topher Grace In Horror Film 'Buddy'", Deadline Hollywood, August 5, 2025; Navarro, "Sundance Film Festival 2026 Midnight Lineup Includes Casper Kelly's 'Buddy' And More", Bloody Disgusting!, December 10, 2025; Morona, "Cleveland-shot en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Buddy (2026 film)" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Navarro, "Sundance Film Festival 2026 Midnight Lineup Includes Casper Kelly's 'Buddy' And More", Bloody Disgusting!, December 10, 2025; Grobar, "Casper Kelly's Sundance Horror Flick 'Buddy' Starring Delaney Quinn, Keegan-Michael Key & Cristin Miloti Acquired By Roadside Attractions & Saban Films", Deadline Hollywood, April 23, 2026; Zilko, "'Buddy' Trailer: A Bizarro Take on 'Barney' from the Mind Behind 'Too Many Cooks'", IndieWire, July 9, 2026 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- ‘Buddy’ Review: Casper Kelly’s Gross-Out Satire On Bland Kids’ TV Packs A Dark, Existential Punch – Sundance Film Festival – Deadline. facts only, no text reused. deadline.com
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Buddy (2026 film) (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Buddy (2026 film) (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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