The Orange Unicorn Horrors of ‘Buddy’ Come Home Next Week

If you missed Buddy in the theaters, your chance to watch it at home is coming soon. But it turns out that a lot of people did watch it during its run; it was one of the most successful films picked up at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, easily earning back its modest budget. While it didn’t rack up Obsession-level buzz, it’s still another success in that same realm of R-rated, non-franchise horror hits. If this intrigues you, and the idea of a killer orange unicorn also appeals, Buddy comes home October 13 ahead of a physical release on DVD and Blu-ray December 8. And adding to the nostalgia factor, there will also be a Buddy VHS edition available starting November 24 from Witter Entertainment. “Remember Buddy—the bright orange unicorn and star of that classic children’s television show who brought joy and life lessons into your living room?” asks the movie’s official synopsis, knowing our minds immediately went to a certain bright purple dinosaur with a “B” name. “Inside the colorful world of It’s Buddy!, a group of children spend their days singing, dancing, and helping Buddy spread happiness. But when one child refuses to play along, Buddy is not pleased, and cracks begin to appear in this seemingly perfect world.” We love when a children’s TV show goes off the rails, and Buddy, which comes from director and co-writer Casper Kelly (Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell), has a killer cast to back up that premise. Cristin Milioti (The Penguin, Black Mirror) and Delaney Quinn play a mother and daughter who become entangled in Buddy’s realm; Patton Oswalt and Michael Shannon voice supporting characters (a talking backpack and a marionette, respectively) on the show, and Keegan-Michael Key provides the voice of Buddy. Other cast members include Topher Grace and horror icon Clint Howard, as if you needed any more convincing. Did you see Buddy in theaters? Will you be checking it out at home? Want more io9 news? Check out the best movies and TV shows to stream this month and all the upcoming sci-fi, fantasy, and horror books that should be on your radar.