Key Insights
- Film Success: Buddy has grossed over $26 million, marking a significant achievement for Saban Films.
- Release Dates: The digital version will be available on October 13, with physical formats following on December 8.
- Unique Concept: The film combines elements of children’s programming with horror, creating a distinctive viewing experience.
- Director’s Background: Casper Kelly, known for Too Many Cooks, brings a unique perspective to the horror genre.
Children’s television has given horror filmmakers plenty to work with, but an orange unicorn with a problem taking “no” for an answer might be one of this year’s most memorable nightmares. Buddy takes the familiar comforts of a colorful TV clubhouse and makes staying there sound like a terrible idea. With Cristin Milioti and Michael Shannon among its cast, the movie has turned that bizarre premise into a box-office success, earning more than $26 million during its theatrical run.
The setup sounds innocent enough, at least until its host stops getting his way. Inside the fictional children’s series It’s Buddy!, a group of kids spends its days singing, dancing, and helping the cheerful unicorn spread happiness. When one child refuses to participate, the show’s seemingly perfect world begins to unravel, making obedience a much more frightening part of the programming. It’s an appealingly nasty premise for Halloween viewing, especially for anyone who grew up watching oversized mascots teach lessons about being a good friend.
Now, Roadside Attractions and Saban Films have announced that Buddy will arrive on digital on October 13, giving horror fans time to add it to their Halloween plans. The Blu-ray and DVD editions follow on December 8, but collectors have another option that feels particularly appropriate for this movie. A VHS edition from Witter Entertainment will be available for preorder beginning November 24, with shipping planned in time for the holiday season. Anyone hoping to invite Buddy over before October 31 will want to circle the digital date.
What Is Your Biggest Horror Nightmare?
Elm Street · Chucky · Scream · The Conjuring
Four horror franchises. Four completely different ways of scaring you. One waits until you fall asleep. One makes sure nobody believes you. One is already in your group of friends. And one is in the house with your family. Answer eight quick questions about how you actually watch horror, and find out which nightmare was built for you.
Elm Street (Freddy Krueger)
Chucky (Child’s Play)
Scream (Ghostface)
The Conjuring (The Warren Files)
FIND YOUR NIGHTMARE →
01
Which horror scene makes you cover your eyes?
Four classic images. One of them is worse than the others for you.
A Somebody falling asleep when they really should not.
B A toy that has moved, and nobody touched it.
C A phone ringing in an empty house.
D A child talking to somebody who is not there.
NEXT QUESTION →
02
You are home alone and you hear a noise. First thought?
Everybody has one. It arrives before you have decided anything.
A I am exhausted and my mind is playing tricks on me.
B Something in this room is not where I left it.
C Somebody is in here with me.
D This house has never felt entirely right.
NEXT QUESTION →
03
Which horror movie rule would you break first?
Everybody thinks they would survive. Almost nobody actually does.
A Never fall asleep.
B Never leave it out of your sight.
C Never answer the phone.
D Never go down to the basement.
NEXT QUESTION →
04
Something genuinely frightening happens. What do you do?
Not in a film. In your actual living room, tonight.
A Convince myself I imagined the whole thing.
B Tell someone, and brace for them not believing me.
C Work out which person I know could be behind it.
D Get everybody in the house into one room.
NEXT QUESTION →
05
How do you actually watch a horror film?
Be honest about this one. Nobody is checking.
AI’m fine during it but wide awake at two in the morning.
BI shout at the screen even though nobody can hear me.
CI call out the twist before it happens.
DI watch through my fingers while holding onto something.
NEXT QUESTION →
06
Somebody offers you serious money. Which do you still refuse?
The amount does not matter. There is one on this list you are not doing.
