Sing along with Buddy in theatres this October
Get ready to sing your heart out, because the beloved nightmare of Buddy is getting a major update. Beginning on October 2, fans can experience Casper Kelly’s twisted horror-comedy Buddy in theaters as Buddy: The Sing-Along Version, featuring on-screen lyrics for all the film’s iconic songs.
This special theatrical engagement invites the audience to dress up, sing along, and join the terrifying orange unicorn and his friends for what Roadside Attractions and Saban Films are calling an immersive theatrical experience. Fans will get to belt out tunes like “It’s Buddy!”, “You’ve Got to Be Scared to Be Brave,” and “The Wrong Place in Town” as the story unfolds.
The buzz surrounding the film is amplified by its phenomenal box office performance. Buddy has grossed over $25 million over the last five weeks, marking a massive achievement for an independent horror feature. It also holds the distinction of having the biggest opening of 2026 for a movie playing on fewer than 1,800 screens.
The film’s success has cemented its place in film history. For Saban Films, Buddy is now the highest-grossing movie in their history. Roadside Attractions also celebrates the win, positioning Buddy as the studio’s third-highest-grossing film ever, surpassing titles like Judy and I Can Only Imagine.
The story itself is a brilliant inversion of expectations. It takes the cheerful, wholesome world of It’s Buddy!—where children spend their days singing and spreading happiness—and turns it into a deeply unsettling experience. Director Casper Kelly, known for his darkly comedic style, crafts a world that appears cheerful and harmless until Buddy’s perfect reality begins to crack under pressure.
Kelly, who is also the creator of the viral sensation Too Many Cooks, applies a similar sensibility to 1990s television, delivering a narrative that is both familiar and profoundly bizarre. The cast is packed with talent, including Cristin Milioti, Delaney Quinn, Patton Oswalt, and Michael Shannon, all contributing to the unsettling blend of absurdity and horror.
Before the nationwide launch, the sing-along edition kicked off with a Biggest Night Out Gala Premiere on Tuesday, September 29, at the historic Alex Theatre in Glendale, California. The event brought together director Casper Kelly, the cast, and Buddy himself for a memorable premiere, reportedly selling out within hours.
While some critics noted that the film was inconsistent, JoBlo’s Chris Bumbray gave Buddy a 6/10 review, praising its opening and Kelly’s creativity, though noting that the film sometimes loses momentum when leaving Buddy’s television world. Despite this, the review found the film worthwhile for its sharp satire of children’s television.
Now, audiences have another opportunity to experience this bizarre and beloved story on the big screen, offering a new, interactive way to connect with the story that has already captured the imagination.
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