Puppet Horror ‘The Fuzzies’ Scares Up a Release Date
Friday, April 3rd, 2026
If the idea of creepy children’s television puppets gives you the absolute creeps, proceed with caution. Terror Films Releasing is about to validate your fears. The indie distribution powerhouse has teamed up with visionary filmmakers Josh Funk and Dustin Vaught to unleash their wildly original horror-comedy, The Fuzzies.
Nostalgia Curdling Into Terror
A group of old pals reunites at the estate of their recently deceased friend, who was a famous children’s television host. What they expected to be a somber trip down memory lane turns into a fight for survival.
Instead, they uncover a waking nightmare. The grotesque puppets from her beloved TV show are alive. They are moving and have absolutely no interest in sharing or playing nice. Blending practical puppetry, stop-motion horrors, and pitch-black humor, The Fuzzies explores friendship, fame, and the literal monsters we leave behind.
The Cast
While the movie has a large cast, only a few are actually human. The cast of the movie includes Rocío de la Grana, Baylee Toney, Dustin Vaught, and Gordy Cassell as Shirley/Sunny Smiles.
A Labor of Handmade Love
Director Josh Funk is an animation instructor who collaborated with over 40 students to bring the tactile nightmare to life. Funk has shared his inspiration.
“The Fuzzies is born from a fascination with the uncanny—specifically the strange power of puppets and stop-motion to feel both comforting and deeply unsettling. Drawing inspiration from children’s television of the 1970s and ‘80s, the film explores how bright sets, felt textures, and cheerful characters become disorienting when stripped of their warmth. We embraced the tactile imperfections of handmade filmmaking to tell a story about nostalgia curdling into terror.”
How to Watch
Mark your calendars to never look at a puppet the same way again. The Fuzzies will be available starting May 1, 2026, across a variety of platforms, including Vudu, Amazon, Tubi, Chilling, and more.
