Sony buys international rights to Sundance horror hit 'Buddy'
Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions has acquired all international rights to Casper Kelly’s Sundance Midnight horror film "Buddy" in a mid-seven-figure deal, Deadline reported exclusively. The film has taken about $26.5 million domestically for Roadside Attractions and Saban.
AI-assisted · US Brief desk · Sources listed below
What happened
Sony beat multiple suitors for the feature directorial debut of "Too Many Cooks" creator Casper Kelly, Deadline reported exclusively Thursday. UTA Independent Film Group and Range Media Partners negotiated for the filmmakers. Roadside Attractions and Saban released the film domestically.
Why it matters
A mid-seven-figure international sale after a strong domestic run shows overseas buyers still chasing mid-budget horror that connects at Sundance.
What’s next
Watch for Sony’s international release calendar and whether the sing-along boosts the domestic cume this weekend.
More context
Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions has bought all international rights to Sundance horror hit "Buddy" in what Deadline describes as a mid-seven-figure deal.
Box office so far: "Buddy" has taken about $26.5 million in North America, making it the highest-grossing film of this year’s Sundance crop domestically, just ahead of "The Invite," Deadline said. The budget was under $5 million. A special sing-along version plays in theaters this weekend.
Cast and story: The film stars Cristin Milioti, Delaney Quinn, Topher Grace, Keegan-Michael Key, Michael Shannon, and Patton Oswalt. Kelly wrote it with Jamie King. The plot follows a children’s TV unicorn mascot whose bright world cracks when one child refuses to play along.
Producers: BoulderLight Pictures ("Weapons") and Low Spark Films ("Emily the Criminal"), in association with Sipur Studios and Substance, produced the movie.
Uncertainty: Exact deal dollars beyond Deadline’s "mid-seven figure" range were not disclosed. International release dates were not announced in the report.
2 listed sources
- Deadline (Andreas Wiseman), Oct 1, 2026: Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions picks up all international rights to Sundance horror hit 'Buddy'
- Sourcing note: Deadline exclusive on the sale terms; domestic gross attributed to Deadline.
References listed by US Brief; a source count is not a verification score.
Editorial sourcing notes
Deadline (Andreas Wiseman) exclusive, Oct 1, 2026 — mid-seven-figure international rights; Sony beat multiple suitors; domestic $26.5M; sub-$5M budget; cast list; sing-along this weekend. Deal size and "highest-grossing Sundance" claim attributed to Deadline. Re-verified 5:40 AM PT Oct 2 against current coverage; no changes.
Like US Brief? You can support it with a tip.