Horror Comedy 'Buddy' Sees Rare Second-Weekend Box Office Increase

The horror comedy 'Buddy', featuring a rogue children's TV character in costume, is anticipated to generate $5.7 million during its second weekend (Sept. 4-6), reflecting a 5% rise from its $5.3 million debut (Aug. 28-31). This achievement is notable for an R-rated independent film outside of franchises, a milestone previously reached only by Curry Barker's 'Obsession' in 2026. Directed by Casper Kelly and co-written with Jamie King, the movie showcases Keegan-Michael Key as Buddy's voice, alongside live-action roles from Cristin Milioti, Topher Grace, Michael Shannon, and Delaney Quinn, with voice contributions from Patton Oswalt and Eric Bauza. Released by Roadside Attractions and Saban Films, 'Buddy' premiered in 1,258 North American theaters, marking the largest 2026 opening for a film on fewer than 1,800 screens. It also achieved the second-largest opening in Roadside Attractions' 23-year history, following 2018's 'I Can Only Imagine' at $17 million, and the biggest for Saban Films in its 12 years. The film's opening exceeded initial projections of $2.5 million, with a domestic total of $14.2 million and no international release yet. Critics have responded favorably, giving it an 89% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 123 reviews, with the consensus highlighting its clever use of children's entertainment tropes to create a unique, humorous, and unsettling exploration of pop culture.