Meet BUDDY. He’s an aggressively orange, painfully cheerful unicorn. He hijacks your TV screen, weaponizes catchy synth-pop, and forces your kids into state-mandated optimism. Behind the candy-coated facade of the hit kids’ show “It’s Buddy!”, however, there is a zero-tolerance policy for insubordination.
Ahead of its San Diego Comic-Con panel on July 24, Roadside Attractions and Saban Films, BoulderLight Pictures and Low Spark Films have dropped a brand-new trailer for BUDDY. And let’s say… your childhood is about to get slaughtered.
Play Along or Pay the Price
On the surface, set life at “It’s Buddy!” is a pastel fever dream. Synchronized children spend their days singing, dancing, and worshipping their favorite horned corporate ruler. The cheerful music cuts out, however, when one child dares to break character and refuse the script.
Turns out, Buddy doesn’t handle constructive feedback well. As the rogue kid pushes back, the neon walls begin to fracture. This exposes a terrifyingly dark, blood-soaked underbelly behind the happiest show on Earth. If you thought a toddler’s tantrum was bad, try surviving a disgruntled, anthropomorphic mascot on a rampage.
The Twisted Minds Behind the Magic
If you’re wondering who had the unholy vision to turn a Barney-esque nightmare into a full-blown slasher, look no further than the director’s chair. Horror-comedy savant Casper Kelly—the mastermind behind Adult Swim’s viral mind-melt “Too Many Cooks”—helms the chaos, co-writing the script alongside Jamie King.
The film boasts a heavyweight production crew led by Tyler Davidson, Drew Sykes, Raphael Margules, J.D. Lifshitz, and Tracy Rosenblum, with backing from Sipur Studios and Substance.
A Stacked, Unhinged Cast
A premise this gloriously absurd requires actors who can pivot from slapstick comedy to sheer psychological horror on a dime. BUDDY delivers a powerhouse lineup. Cristin Milioti (Palm Springs, The Penguin) stars alongside Michael Shannon (Knives Out, Enemies of the State), Patton Oswalt (The Sandman), and Keegan-Michael Key (Key & Peele). Topher Grace (That ’70s Show) and Delaney Quinn (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You) join the bloody chaos.
Prepare for Mandatory Happiness This August
Promising to be the most stressful hour and a half you’ll ever spend with an imaginary friend, BUDDY officially marches into theaters on August 28, 2026. Get your SDCC tickets now!
Check out the new trailer, leave your cynical attitude at the studio door, and remember: if you aren’t smiling, Buddy gets angry.
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