Dark Comedy 'Buddy' Exceeds Projections, Sets Studio Records at Domestic Box Office
The R-rated horror-comedy 'Buddy' opened to $5.36 million across 1,258 screens, landing at No. 6 and nearly doubling pre-release tracking estimates. The debut marks Roadside Attractions' strongest opening since the pandemic and its second-best ever, trailing only 2018's 'I Can Only Imagine.' It also represents the highest-grossing opening weekend of 2026 for any film released on fewer than 1,800 screens, and the best start in Saban Films' history.
The film's $5.36 million debut on 1,258 screens represents a significant overperformance against industry projections, which had pegged the opening near $2.5 million. Produced by the team behind "Weapons," the movie marks Casper Kelly's feature directorial debut and stands as Roadside Attractions' first major horror release.
The opening ranks as Roadside's strongest since the pandemic and its second-highest overall, behind only 2018's "I Can Only Imagine" at $17 million. It also claims the top 2026 opening for any title on fewer than 1,800 screens and sets a new company record for Saban Films.
This performance could signal shifting audience appetite for mid-budget genre fare outside the traditional studio blockbuster system. Smaller distributors may see renewed viability in theatrical horror-comedies, potentially encouraging more specialty releases. The near-doubling of tracking estimates may also prompt exhibitors to reassess screen allocations for similarly positioned titles, while filmmakers could view this as evidence that distinctive genre voices can still find meaningful theatrical audiences.