Discover 'Buddy', Horror Hit that Turns 'Barney' Into a Killer Unicorn

Buddy, Casper Kelly’s surreal horror film about a killer unicorn from a 1990s children’s TV show, has become an indie cinema hit. The feature, starring Cristin Milioti, Patton Oswalt, Michael Shannon, Topher Grace, and Keegan-Michael Key (the unicorn’s voice), premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to positive reviews. 

Last weekend, Buddy grossed around $5.36 million in just 1,258 theaters, doubling initial box office projections. It marks the biggest opening of the year for a film released on fewer than 1,800 screens, as well as the second-biggest opening in Roadside Attractions history and the biggest for Saban Films in 12 years.

The story follows a group of children taking part in the kids’ show "It's Buddy!", starring an orange unicorn that teaches lessons about friendship. When one child refuses to join in the fun, Buddy begins to show his true side, and cracks start to appear in this seemingly perfect world. What begins as a colorful TV show turns into a fight for survival.

Gen Z turned out in force: 83% of the audience was under 35. The film also had strong appeal among Hispanic moviegoers, who made up 37% of the audience.