Roadside Attractions and Saban Films have announced that the psychological thriller BUDDY will hit theaters on August 28, 2026. Directed by Casper Kelly and co-written with Jamie King, the 95-minute film subverts childhood nostalgia by turning a beloved, bright orange television unicorn into the centerpiece of a cinematic nightmare. In the movie, the vibrant world of the classic children’s show “It’s Buddy!” begins to fracture when one child refuses to sing, dance, and play along with the scripted joy. Buddy becomes deeply displeased by this defiance, causing terrifying cracks to appear in his seemingly perfect, colorful paradise.

This BoulderLight Pictures, Low Spark Films, Sipur Studios, and Substance production features a powerhouse ensemble cast, starring Cristin Milioti, Delaney Quinn, Patton Oswalt, and Michael Shannon, alongside Topher Grace and Keegan-Michael Key. The film is produced by Tyler Davidson, Drew Sykes, Raphael Margules, J.D. Lifshitz, and Tracy Rosenblum, with an executive producing team that includes Kevin Flanigan, Dexter Braff, Roberto Linck, and the film’s creators. Audiences can prepare to witness the unsettling unraveling of Buddy’s world exclusively in theaters late this August.