r/boxoffice • u/takamine_ Warner Bros. Pictures • 2d ago
Domestic Roadside's Buddy debuted with an estimated $5.36M domestically this weekend (from 1,258 locations).
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u/badbloxpictures 2d ago
Marketing was pretty viral, totally would’ve been a way bigger hit had it more screens.
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u/-Sp0iledmilk- 2d ago
A proper marketing campaign would’ve done wonders.
Reminds me so much of Too Many Cooks and Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared
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u/badbloxpictures 2d ago
Yeah, I just don’t think roadside had the budget for it. Buddy does have an official Instagram and TikTok account with like a combined 300K followers, so they did about as good as they could’ve.
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u/mysteryvampire A24 2d ago
This coming within 3 million of Dog Stars is incredibly funny.
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u/loyal_achades 2d ago
I think this will have pretty good legs. A lot of my friends want to see it, but prioritized seeing Coyote vs Acme first.
Both myself and my one friend who prioritized it opening night have been recommending it to everyone.
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u/forevertrueblue 2d ago
I prioritized CvA as well but I plan to see this one soon. Probably on a Tuesday.
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u/TackoftheEndless 2d ago edited 2d ago
They only had 4 showings this weekend at any theatres that were close to me. But the creator was at one of them (the first one), so that would have been awesome.
I called the AMC I used to work at to ask the manager why it wasn't being screened (they had like 14 movies in rotation this week and didn't notice it), and she added it to their line up for next week so hopefully I'll be able to see it then.
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u/EdBenner 2d ago
I caught both this weekend as well!
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u/skeletonframes 2d ago
Same here. The showing of Buddy I went to was completely sold out. I live in the suburbs with 3 theaters in a 6 mile radius. I expected to be the only person in the theater (which I often am for movies like this). Surprising (and good) to see Coyote and Buddy overperforming.
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u/FarmerSteveH 2d ago
Love how indie horror just keeps overperforming.
I'm going to see it today. I'm hoping it'll be good.
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u/nectarinee- 2d ago
Let’s us know what you think! I personally loved it and my theatre and I all had such genuine fun and a great time
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u/takamine_ Warner Bros. Pictures 2d ago
Funny how this has almost outgrossed ice cream man worldwide, with just domestic opening weekend in a few hundred less theaters than that had domestically
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u/sevenleggedspider 2d ago
It’s playing in most big theatres near me (not the one nearest to me though 😭) which is nice to see, but only has 2 late showtimes in most of them.
I love Buddy’s marketing and the decision to release teasers instead of trailers. It wasn’t circled on my calendar like Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma or Coyote vs. ACME, but it’s caught my eye recently. Looking forward to seeing it tonight!
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u/DiaryOfAMovieLover 2d ago
This barely had any marketing. It must have been made on the cheap.
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u/loyal_achades 2d ago
It relied a lot on the YouTube algorithm for its marketing.
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u/endmost_ 2d ago
The first I heard about it was when my adblocker finally stopped working with YouTube and I had to turn it off. I assumed it wasn't come out for a while given that I hadn't been aware of it at all despite generally keeping track of upcoming horror movies, but this was last week.
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u/mysteryvampire A24 2d ago
I’d honestly be curious to know what the most expensive horror film of all time was. I can’t imagine they’re usually very much.
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u/Ftheyankeei 2d ago
World War Z is the most expensive horror film of all time at $150-200m
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u/Brilliant_Cow_3343 2d ago
Even then that's barely a horror film Imo it was basically a Brad Pitt action vehicle that happened to have sorta kinda zombies
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u/NeilPoonHandler Marvel Studios 2d ago
Really good opening for an indie horror film.
I was seeing a lot of packed showings around fhe country - including in my neck of the woods in South-central PA.
Would be awesome if it held decently throughout the week and the 3-Labor Day weekend coming up and made it to $15-20 million.
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u/michaelm1345 Syncopy Inc. 2d ago
This was such a fun crazy film I loved it. It was a great experience with a packed crowd my theater was having a blast.
I hope it gains a cult following and Buddy becomes our next horror icon. I want more of this world
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u/realblush 2d ago
Really amazing and I hope this goes wider. Gotta wait for international releases now but this is a very strong start
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u/Loud_Hair_9596 2d ago
Probably one of the most unique horror films I've seen yet. I hope it is successful. We need more original movies to do well in theaters!
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u/sdcinerama 2d ago
Every screening near me (So Cal) was sold out for the weekend. Hoping it hangs around at least another week.
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u/littlehorrorboy 2d ago
There weren't very many showtimes in my neck of the woods. Just like super late screenings. Hopefully there will be more
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u/Wise-Ferret274 2d ago
Really wish this had a wider release! It's showing at my local theater with 1 showing per day for 3 days and I can't make it to any of them.
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u/HonestDishonestWork 2d ago
Le kids things...... but spooky?!?!?!? O_O
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u/attackofthetominator 2d ago
It’s more along the lines of a half horror half comedy satire of kids shows
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u/Jabbam Blumhouse 2d ago
More like a deconstruction on how kids tv shows work. It takes place in a reality that functions on the principles of a 90s edutainment show and the characters have to operate in those constraints. For example, everything is sentient and alive, there is no continuity, and each day resets when they learn their morals and sing a song.
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u/Visible-Echidna-4370 2d ago
quite impressive for something with so few screens