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Buddy Games (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Buddy Games (2019) movie poster

Buddy Games is a 2019 comedy starring Dan Bakkedahl as Sheldon 'Shelly' Baldinger, Nick Swardson and Lucie Guest. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and earned $853,898 worldwide. Its Echo Score is 21/100.

worldwide gross
$853.9K
Echo Score
21
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Buddy Games (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Genre
Comedy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Buddy Games About?

The premise of Buddy Games without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Five childhood friends drift apart after a misunderstanding, but are unexpectedly reunited by one of them, known as "The Bobfather." He challenges them to participate in the Buddy Games, a bizarre competition filled with outrageous physical and mental tests. With $150,000 at stake, the friends must overcome the challenges while confronting their past conflicts and pushing each other to their limits in a chaotic battle for the prize.

Buddy Games Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • full frontal nudity
  • male full frontal nudity
  • male nudity
  • male frontal nudity
  • past
  • outtakes during end credits
  • group of friends
  • paintball
  • bare chested male bondage
  • naked fat man
  • male pubic hair
  • pubic hair
+38 more
  • standing naked in front of a mirror
  • crude humor comedy
  • 2010s
  • 21st century
  • game
  • physical challenge
  • challenges
  • physical challenges
  • race challenges
  • mental challenges
  • competition
  • friendship
  • lifelong friends
  • sex scene
  • graphic nudity
  • sexual expletives
  • swearing
  • alcohol consumption
  • alcohol
  • smoking marijuana
  • marijuana
  • smoking
  • championship
  • reference to david beckham
  • reference to superman
  • five years later
  • sex in a bathroom
  • shot in the groin
  • reference to facebook
  • blow job shot
  • pooping in pants
  • pooped in pants
  • reference to mark wahlberg
  • pina colada
  • reference to rotten tomatoes website
  • komodo dragon
  • reference to zac efron
  • attacking a car with a golf club
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Cast & crew

Buddy Games Cast & Characters

Dan Bakkedahl leads the cast as Sheldon 'Shelly' Baldinger, with Nick Swardson as Dixon Bender and Lucie Guest as Nikki Baldinger.

Also Starring in Buddy Games

· 28 more
Show all 32 cast members
Ratings

Buddy Games Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 21/100, strongest in sensory experience (30) and weakest in story & flow (15).

21 /100

Buddy Games Echo Score Breakdown

Buddy Games receives a largely negative reception, with most critics and viewers finding its humor forced and its content off‑putting. The film’s crude premise and reliance on low‑brow jokes fail to generate consistent laughs, while its offensive tone alienates many audience members. Although a few reviewers acknowledge occasional funny moments, these are outweighed by the pervasive sense of annoyance and lack of lasting appeal. Consequently, the movie offers little incentive for repeat viewings.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 15

    In terms of direction and visual craftsmanship, Buddy Games is widely regarded as subpar. Critics describe the set pieces as flat and the overall production as dull, with little stylistic ambition. The lack of distinctive cinematography or inventive editing contributes to a feeling of mechanical execution. Overall, the film’s art and craft receive low marks.

  • Character & Emotion 20

    When evaluating character work, reviewers note a pervasive lack of depth and bland performances. The ensemble’s comedic talent is acknowledged, yet many critics feel the actors are underutilized and their portrayals remain one‑dimensional. Several audience members point to poor development and stereotypical portrayals that diminish emotional engagement. Consequently, the character aspect scores poorly.

  • Story & Flow 15

    The narrative structure of Buddy Games draws consistent criticism for incoherence and erratic pacing. Reviewers observe that the plot jumps between unrelated scenarios, preventing a clear through‑line and undermining audience investment. Originality is lacking, with jokes relying on repetitive tropes rather than fresh ideas. Overall, the story component is judged weak.

  • Sensory Experience 30

    Regarding sensory experience, the film offers little that stands out. Critics and users note an unremarkable soundtrack and sound design, with visual styling described as functional but uninspired. No particular scene earns praise for its auditory or visual impact, rendering the sensory dimension largely flat. Consequently, this aspect receives a modest score.

  • Rewatch Factor 25

    The rewatch factor of Buddy Games is viewed as low by most respondents. While a few viewers admit brief amusement on initial viewings, the humor quickly feels repetitive and the offensive tone grows tiresome. The lack of narrative depth or memorable moments provides little incentive for subsequent viewings. Overall, the film offers minimal replay value.

Plot

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 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Shelly, a six-time winner of the Buddy Games, Dan Bakkedahl takes the spotlight by defeating Nick Swardson as Bender in the latest edition. During a drunken celebration, Shelly publicly humiliates a passed-out friend, a moment that sours the win. In the aftermath, Bender and Shelly’s wife, Nikki, Lucie Guest joke about revenge. The joke turns deadly when Nikki shoots Shelly in the groin, resulting in the loss of both testicles. Bender willingly steps forward to take the blame, protecting Shelly’s marriage and striking back at Shelly’s abusive behavior in a quiet, unsettling way.

Full summary

The whole story of Buddy Games, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

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.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$853.9K

US & Canada
$405.9K
International
$448K
US & Canada 48% Rest of the world 52%
Videos

Buddy Games Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Buddy Games.

Buddy Games Official Trailer (2020)
Quiz

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the six-time winner of the Buddy Games at the start of the film?

Cars

Cars in Buddy Games

14 cars on screen, including the 2002 Honda Odyssey and the Ford Bronco.

All 14 cars
  • 2002 Honda Odyssey in Buddy Games 2002 Honda Odyssey Main role
  • Ford Bronco in Buddy Games Ford Bronco Important role
  • 1987 SAAB 900 Cabrio in Buddy Games 1987 SAAB 900 Cabrio Minor role
  • 2016 Tesla Model X in Buddy Games 2016 Tesla Model X Minor role
Details

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
  • 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?

FAQ

Buddy Games FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, cast, box office 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 February 10, 2019.

Who is in the cast of Buddy Games?

Buddy Games stars Dan Bakkedahl as Sheldon 'Shelly' Baldinger, Nick Swardson as Dixon Bender and Lucie Guest as Nikki Baldinger, among 32 credited actors.

How much did Buddy Games make at the box office?

Buddy Games grossed $853,898 worldwide ($405,904 domestic, $447,994 international).

Does Buddy Games have a post-credit scene?

No. Buddy Games has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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