Buddy Games (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Buddy Games is a 2020 comedy starring Kevin Dillon, Dan Bakkedahl and Josh Duhamel. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and earned $853,898 worldwide. Critics gave it 33% on Rotten Tomatoes and 22 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 30m (90 min)
- Genre
- Comedy
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Saban Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Buddy Games About?
The premise of Buddy Games without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A group of friends, including Dan Bakkedahl, Kevin Dillon, Josh Duhamel, James Roday Rodriguez, and Nick Swardson, gather to remember a lost friend. They return to Spring Break, hoping to relive old times, but find themselves outmatched by a new generation of partygoers who are more tech-savvy and adventurous than they remember. The reunion quickly turns into a competition as they try to reclaim their party legacy.
Buddy Games Cast
Kevin Dillon leads the cast, with Dan Bakkedahl and Josh Duhamel.
Also Starring in Buddy Games
· 10 moreBuddy Games Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Buddy Games 33% on Rotten Tomatoes and 22 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 33/100, strongest in sensory experience (50) and weakest in rewatch factor (25).
Buddy Games Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, Buddy Games struggles to deliver on multiple fronts, with narrative inconsistencies and underwhelming performances dominating viewer concerns. Critics lambast its pacing and coherence, while most users found the humor forced and the storyline forgettable. A minority appreciated its lowbrow appeal and occasional physical comedy, but these moments prove insufficient to salvage the broader shortcomings. The film’s limited visual distinctiveness and lack of emotional resonance further diminish its impact. In aggregate, the consensus places Buddy Games firmly in the lower tier of contemporary comedies.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 25
In terms of art and craft, the film displays uneven editing and uninspired production values. Many viewers noted abrupt scene transitions that disrupted flow and rarely observed distinctive cinematography or design flourishes. Without memorable visual motifs or polished camera work, the presentation remains flat. Consequently, the film’s technical construction fails to engage, reinforcing its overall lack of polish and cohesion.
- Character & Emotion 30
When it comes to character and emotion, the performances are serviceable yet lack depth. While leads occasionally deliver amiable chemistry, most characters remain one-dimensional and elicit little empathy. The abrupt tonal shifts in dialogue further hinder emotional engagement and prevent meaningful connections. Overall, the film’s character development feels superficial, limiting audience investment.
- Story & Flow 35
In terms of story and flow, the plot suffers from forced humor and erratic pacing. Reviewers frequently cited scenes that felt truncated or aimless, undermining narrative coherence. The sequel’s reliance on recycled buddy comedy tropes yields predictability rather than fresh engagement. As a result, the storyline struggles to maintain interest, leaving much of its premise underexplored.
- Sensory Experience 50
In the realm of sensory experience, the film offers a straightforward, unremarkable presentation. There are no notable musical themes or sound design elements to elevate the atmosphere, and the visual style prefers functional framing over stylistic innovation. While the color palette remains consistent, it lacks distinctive flair or sonic texture. Consequently, the sensory dimension contributes little to immersive entertainment.
- Rewatch Factor 25
Regarding rewatch factor, the film demonstrates limited replay value. Viewers described the humor as forgettable and found little incentive to revisit the content after initial viewing. Occasional nostalgic references and lowbrow gags deliver momentary amusement but lack lasting resonance. In sum, the movie provides minimal appeal for repeated viewing and is unlikely to sustain long-term interest.
-
Rotten Tomatoes 33% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 64%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 22 Metascore
User score 3.8
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 53% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.0 /5
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 5.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Buddy Games Plot Summary
What happens in Buddy Games from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
As part of an annual tradition, Bob and his close-knit group of friends participate in the Buddy Games, a series of exhilarating challenges aimed at building camaraderie and reinforcing their friendships. The current champion, Shelly, has dominated the events, boasting six victories, including a recent triumph in a paintball clash against Bender. Following the chaotic celebrations, Bender and Nikki, Shelly’s wife, jokingly suggest that it’s time for revenge, targeting Shelly’s weakest point. However, it becomes clear that while Bender had initially intended to shoot Shelly, Nikki stepped in at the last moment, leading to a catastrophic incident where Shelly ends up losing both testicles—a secret he chooses to keep hidden from everyone.
Full summary
The whole story of Buddy Games, scene by scene
Buddy Games Box Office
Buddy Games grossed $853,898 worldwide. $405,904 came from the US and Canada and $447,994 (52%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$853.9K
- US & Canada
- $405.9K
- International
- $448K
Buddy Games Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Buddy Games.
How Well Do You Know Buddy Games?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What annual ritual do Bob and his friends engage in?
Cars in Buddy Games
14 cars on screen, including the 2002 Honda Odyssey and the Ford Bronco.
-
2002 Honda Odyssey Main role -
Ford Bronco Important role -
1987 SAAB 900 Cabrio Minor role -
2016 Tesla Model X Minor role
Buddy Games Also Known As
25 alternative titles, including “The Buddy Games” and “Телесные игры”.
- Also known as
-
- The Buddy Games
- Телесные игры
- 버디 게임스
- Зіграти з друзями
- Juegos de colegas
- Jogos Entre Amigos
- Chlapi sobě
- 好友瘋遊戲
- Juegos entre amigos
- משחקי חברה
- Draugų žaidimai
- Trò Chơi Chết Giẫm
+13 more Show fewer
- Spanviadal
- 哥们游戏
- Kankalar Yarışıyor
- Wyzwanie dla kumpla
- Veču spēles
- 버디 게임즈
- ألعاب الأصدقاء
- Jogos de Manos
- バディゲーム
- Тілесні ігри
- 兄弟班勇闖難關
- दोस्तों के खेल
- Приятелски Игри
Seen Buddy Games?
Buddy Games FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Buddy Games, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Buddy Games?
Buddy Games runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).
When was Buddy Games released?
Buddy Games was released on November 24, 2020.
Who is in the cast of Buddy Games?
Buddy Games stars Kevin Dillon, Dan Bakkedahl and Josh Duhamel, among 14 credited actors.
How much did Buddy Games make at the box office?
Buddy Games grossed $853,898 worldwide ($405,904 domestic, $447,994 international).
How is Buddy Games rated?
Buddy Games has 33% on Rotten Tomatoes, 22 on Metacritic, 53% on TMDB and 2.0/5 on Letterboxd.
Does Buddy Games have a post-credit scene?
No. Buddy Games has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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