Sony Pictures Animation has moved the original comedy Buds from March 12, 2027, to Dec. 22, 2027, capitalizing on the momentum created by GOAT's box office success
Sony Pictures Animation has bumped its original feature Buds from March 12, 2027, to the holiday weekend of December 22, 2027. The studio hasn’t announced directors or cast, but early descriptions—reportedly about talking plants—place the film squarely in family comedy with a whimsical, world‑building bent. Moving into the late‑December window clearly aims to capture the seasonal surge in family audiences and the merchandising opportunities that come with it.
Why the date change matters
A late‑December release is often the most commercially attractive slot for family films. Holiday breaks keep kids in theaters longer, and exhibitors tend to add screens and showtimes to meet demand. By shifting Buds into that corridor, Sony is signaling confidence that the title can draw a broad family crowd and perform strongly across multiple weeks—key to unlocking downstream revenue from streaming deals, toys and international sales.
The studio hasn’t released financial forecasts or attached talent yet, so some questions remain. Still, a calendar move like this typically requires logistics work with distributors and exhibitors rather than creative changes to the film itself. What the studio will need next is a clear marketing plan and casting announcements to build holiday buzz.
What recent box office shows
The timing decision follows encouraging numbers from GOAT, which opened to $35.1 million over the Valentine’s/Presidents Day frame and finished a recent tally at $60.8 million worldwide ($38M domestic, $22.8M international as of Feb. 17). Those figures demonstrate that original animated features can break through when marketing, scheduling and family attendance line up. Studios often treat that kind of performance as a green light to chase a holiday launch for similar properties.
Holiday releases are a trade‑off, however. They can boost per‑screen averages and lengthen theatrical runs, but they also require higher upfront marketing spends and tighter coordination on international windows and retail tie‑ins. Effective exhibition deals and merchandising partnerships become critical to protecting margins and maximizing lifetime value.
Distribution strategy and metrics to watch
If Buds is to justify a holiday slot, Sony will be watching a handful of conversion metrics beyond opening weekend: per‑theater averages and weekend‑to‑weekend retention, post‑theatrical streaming viewership relative to marketing spend, and merchandise sell‑through. Strong early indicators across those categories would make a sequel or franchise strategy much easier to justify; weak holds or poor ancillary traction could prompt a more modest follow‑up plan.
Analysts and studio executives will be tracking third‑party box‑office holds, streaming performance post‑window, and licensing revenue closely. Those data points will guide adjustments to media spend, international release timing, and negotiations with retail and toy partners.
Precedent and studio strategy
Sony’s recent track record—mixing franchise hits like Spider‑Verse with experimental, cross‑platform projects such as KPop Demon Hunters—illustrates a willingness to pair creative risk with commercial discipline. That approach puts a premium on timing: securing a qualifying theatrical run can preserve awards eligibility and amplify ancillary revenue opportunities, from special theatrical engagements to renewed marketing pushes that re‑monetize the property.
Executives Kristine Belson and Damien de Froberville have emphasized original ideas that can be positioned for peak market windows. The move of Buds into the holiday season fits that playbook: use timing to amplify reach, then convert theatrical momentum into licensing and downstream revenues.
What to expect next
Look for Sony to lock down cast and a trailer well before the holiday marketing blitz. Expect family‑friendly visuals and a focus on the film’s talking‑plants concept in early promos, plus promotional partnerships and retail deals timed to the gift season. How effectively the studio converts awareness into ticket sales and merchandise demand will determine whether Buds arrives as a full‑blown seasonal tentpole or a quieter holiday release.
Why the date change matters
A late‑December release is often the most commercially attractive slot for family films. Holiday breaks keep kids in theaters longer, and exhibitors tend to add screens and showtimes to meet demand. By shifting Buds into that corridor, Sony is signaling confidence that the title can draw a broad family crowd and perform strongly across multiple weeks—key to unlocking downstream revenue from streaming deals, toys and international sales.0