Is ’Buddy’ A Kids’ Movie? Everything Parents Need To Know (And What To Watch Instead)
Ratings exist for a reason. They’re meant to let uninformed audience members know what's in a movie and whether it's okay for them to watch. Most people tend to gloss over these descriptions, but they’re especially important for parents who want to know if a movie is appropriate for their children or not. Kids are capable of handling a lot of things, but nobody wants to put them in a situation where they could see something traumatizing, and if there’s one thing that plenty of kids like, it’s horror.
It’s safe to say that everyone, at least once in their childhood, saw a movie that they weren’t supposed to watch. Most of the time, those films were horror films, but the horror movies of yesteryear are nothing compared to what’s coming out today. They’re more graphic, more disturbing, and more psychologically damaging. But kids love to watch horror movies like It (2017) and Backrooms (2026), even if these films aren’t intended to be seen by them. If you’re a parent, the urge must be palpable to please your child and let them see a horror movie like Buddy (2026), but should you? Is Buddy a bridge too far and shouldn’t be seen by children under any circumstances, or is it safe as long as an adult is with them?
Should You Take Your Kids To See ‘Buddy’?
It’s not uncommon when a new horror movie comes out to see some parent complain on social media that they took their kids to see it and were mortified at how inappropriate it was for them. Again, that’s why ratings exist, and as a parent, you must look into whether a movie is appropriate or not. So is Buddy a movie that even a kid could watch?
The answer is, obviously, no! Dear lord, no! Do not, under any circumstances, take your kids to see Buddy. It doesn’t matter if the movie is a mascot horror film and looks like Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023). Buddy is way more messed up and disturbing than FNAF ever could be. Do you want to know what kind of stuff is in Buddy? Gore, and a whole lot of it. And it’s not just simple gore like a chopped hand here or a stabbing there. No, there’s a scene where a kid is eaten alive, as in, completely devoured by Buddy, and we watch it happen in agonizing detail.
But let’s say your kid is used to gore. Maybe they’ve seen Terrifier 2 (2022) for some reason and can handle a lot of blood and viscera. But Buddy doesn’t stop there. Towards the middle of the movie, Buddy sexually assaults a woman and is framed in a way that makes it clear she does not want it. Yet that scene isn’t as bad as the film can get. While it’s implied, there’s a scene that features enough pedophilic undertones to make even a horror veteran like myself feel deeply uncomfortable, and lord knows you don’t want to have to explain to your child why a disheveled and mentally disturbed old man is doing the things he’s doing. So no, to reiterate, Buddy is not for kids.
Does That Make ‘Buddy’ A Bad Movie?
If you’re reading this, you’re probably a smart parent who knows not to show something potentially traumatizing to your kids, and we here at JustWatch want to congratulate you on being a reasonable and sensible adult. You should also be cognizant enough to know that just because a movie like Buddy isn’t intended for children, it doesn't make it bad.
Buddy is a film that’s designed to corrupt and pervert your childhood memories. We all grew up watching some live-action kids' show, whether it was Sesame Street (1969) or Barney & Friends (1992), and these shows always prioritized making sure children were safe, respected, and loved. Everything about Buddy intentionally subverts that. You’re meant to feel uncomfortable at how Buddy approaches and talks to the kids he has on his show, and when the film peels back the curtain to tease what’s going on, it leaves you with a sense of unease that something else is happening, but you can’t quite put your finger on what it is. Honestly, a child probably won’t even fully appreciate what’s going on in Buddy. After all, how can they reflect on the subversion of their childhood memories when they themselves are still children? It’s a good movie, but one primarily designed for adults.
What Horror Movies Can My Kids Watch Instead?
No parent ever wants to be the bad guy and deny their child something they want, but they also have to keep in mind their child's developmental and psychological needs. It’s a hard act to balance, but if your child is insisting on watching Buddy, maybe consider showing them any of these three more kid-friendly horror movies instead.
For starters, try Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023). Kids love mascot horror films, and while Buddy may be a bit too graphic and mature for them, Five Nights at Freddy’s, strangely, is a good alternative. It is PG-13, but it’s a very tame PG-13, without too much gore and violence. A lot of the film’s darker elements are implied, and both FNAF and Buddy share a penchant for complicated lore that isn’t really explained in the film. It’s also pretty self-aware of how silly its premise is, and features a kid becoming friends with the animatronics. It’s a gateway horror film, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Or, Killer Klowns From Outer Space (1988). The scariest thing about Killer Klowns From Outer Space is the creepy clowns causing chaos. To be clear, they are pretty frightening, but plenty of kids are also scared of mascots, so the fear they inspire will vary from person to person. There are some bits of dark comedy, but there’s not a whole lot of graphic content that could mentally scar kids. Some would even argue that Killer Klowns From Outer Space is a bad movie, but it’s one that everyone can gather around and laugh at the corniness of it, as well as appreciate the occasional well-done creepy scene.
Coraline (2009) is another great kid-friendly choice. It’s rare to see a PG-horror movie that actually gets under your skin, but Coraline captures the surreality of Buddy but without all of the baggage. It follows a plucky child entering a magical world, but it quickly becomes clear that the figure running it has ulterior motives and wants to trap people there for all eternity. There’s still a sense of whimsy and wonder permeating Coraline, both when it’s trying to be fantastical and when it shifts more into horror, but it leaves a distinct impression. It’s a great introduction to ideas that Buddy plays with, and it’s one that will probably stick with your child as they watch it in just the right environment.
