‘Buddy’ Invites Fans to Text 571-OH BUDDY for Exclusive Content Ahead of Theatrical Release

More than 14,000 fans have joined Buddy’s Clubhouse ahead of Buddy hitting theaters August 28.

The countdown to Buddy is almost over, but Casper Kelly’s bright orange unicorn is giving audiences another way to enter the world of It’s Buddy! before the film arrives in theaters this Friday.

Fans can text BUDDY to 571-OH BUDDY (571-642-8339) to join Buddy’s Clubhouse and receive exclusive content drops connected to the upcoming horror film.

https://youtu.be/tD6-ZIXScFQ?si=jb3aqX-dBMFsAuCA

The latest promotion continues the unconventional marketing campaign surrounding Buddy, which has increasingly treated the fictional children’s television personality as if he exists outside the movie. According to the newly released Clubhouse promotion, more than 14,000 fans have already joined ahead of the film’s theatrical opening.

Directed by Casper Kelly and written by Kelly and Jamie King, Buddy centers on the colorful world of the fictional children’s program It’s Buddy!, where a group of children spend their days singing, dancing and helping Buddy spread happiness. When one child refuses to participate, cracks begin appearing in the seemingly cheerful world surrounding them.

The film stars Cristin Milioti, Delaney Quinn, Patton Oswalt and Michael Shannon, with Topher Grace and Keegan-Michael Key.

Kelly arrives at the feature following a career built around manipulating familiar television formats and gradually pushing them into increasingly surreal territory. His previous work includes the viral Adult Swim short Too Many Cooks, while horror audiences recently saw his contribution to V/H/S/Halloween.

The Clubhouse campaign is only one part of the rollout surrounding the film. Buddy has also expanded into gaming, with ModRetro recently announcing Buddy: The Video Game, a survival-horror title developed by playinstinct for the ModRetro Chromatic that will also be compatible with the Game Boy Color. The game is currently targeting a fourth-quarter 2026 release.

For audiences wondering what to expect from Kelly’s feature, Horror Movies Uncut has already reviewed the film, awarding Buddy 3.5 out of 5. Our review found the film to be one of the more refreshing recent attempts to transform nostalgic children’s television imagery into horror, particularly in the way Kelly commits to building out Buddy’s artificial television world rather than simply using it as background for a conventional mascot slasher.

Now Buddy wants more friends before opening weekend.

Fans can text BUDDY to 571-OH BUDDY (571-642-8339) for exclusive content drops, and our full spoiler-free review is available now on Horror Movies Uncut.

Roadside Attractions and Saban Films release Buddy exclusively in theaters Friday, August 28.