Buddy (2026) is an American horror-comedy written and directed by Casper Kelly, best known for the cult television short Too Many Cooks and Adult Swim Yule Log. The film stars Cristin Milioti, Topher Grace and Delaney Quinn, with Keegan-Michael Key providing the voice of the title character.

Set partly in 1999, the story centres on It's Buddy!, a seemingly innocent children's television programme featuring a large orange unicorn who entertains youngsters with songs, games and valuable life lessons. However, beneath Buddy's cheerful exterior lies something far more sinister. When the children discover they are trapped inside his increasingly nightmarish world, they must find a way to escape before their supposedly lovable host turns against them.

Meanwhile, a woman named Grace (Milioti) becomes drawn into the mystery surrounding the programme, uncovering disturbing connections to her own life.

Combining surreal comedy, psychological horror and childhood nostalgia, Buddy draws inspiration from the colourful children's television programmes of the 1980s and 1990s, turning their familiar innocence into something considerably more disturbing.

Filmed in Cleveland, Ohio, the film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2026. Kelly co-wrote the screenplay with Jamie King, while the supporting voice cast includes Michael Shannon and Patton Oswalt.

Buddy opens in UK and Irish cinemas on 27 November 2026, distributed by Vertigo Releasing.