In early 2025, social media was set ablaze when a promotional poster began circulating online, claiming Netflix was about to launch BUDS, a 10-episode comedy series starring Jim Carrey and Adam Sandler. The premise was simple but irresistible: two lifelong friends open a legal cannabis shop called The Giggle Garden in a small American town, triggering a cascade of comedic misadventures.
Fans quickly embraced the idea. Pages dedicated to the show shared detailed “production notes,” some claimed a $75 million budget, and others insisted filming had already wrapped. Memes, reaction videos, and speculative breakdowns spread across platforms, creating the illusion of a major collaboration between two of comedy’s most iconic figures.
The Hoax Behind the Hype
Closer investigation, however, revealed that BUDS never existed. Netflix never announced it, entertainment trade publications never reported it, and representatives for either actor never confirmed anything. Despite its worldwide viral reach, the series was purely fictional.
The rumor originated from a satirical Facebook page known for fictional entertainment content. Like its previous posts, a disclaimer noted that the material was “not real” and created for entertainment purposes. Yet most viewers missed this fine print. The poster itself was highly convincing, displaying stylistic elements commonly associated with AI-generated imagery, such as unusual lighting, exaggerated skin texture, and uneven structural details. To the general public, it looked like legitimate Netflix marketing.
No Trace in the Industry
A key indicator of the hoax was the absence of coverage in professional outlets. If Netflix had truly signed Carrey and Sandler for a major series, respected entertainment publications like Variety, Deadline, or The Hollywood Reporter would have reported it immediately. No press releases, production filings, or official announcements surfaced from:
-
Netflix
-
The actors’ representatives
-
Hollywood trade press
There was simply no professional record of BUDS.
If BUDS Had Been Real
Ironically, part of the reason the rumor spread so effectively is that the concept felt entirely plausible. A Carrey-Sandler collaboration, particularly a streaming comedy series, would have been a natural evolution of both actors’ careers.
Had BUDS existed as described, it likely would have featured:
-
Character-driven comedy about friendship, aging, and second chances
-
A mix of Carrey’s physical comedy and Sandler’s emotional timing
-
A small-town setting ripe for situational humor and ensemble storytelling
-
Nostalgia appeal for audiences long anticipating the duo’s reunion
It’s no surprise that fans reacted with disappointment when the truth emerged. In a culture of reboots, reunions, and franchise expansions, a Carrey-Sandler project felt overdue.
What the BUDS Hoax Reveals About 2025 Entertainment
The BUDS phenomenon demonstrates several trends shaping modern digital media:
-
AI Blurs Reality: One image can convincingly simulate a film promotion for a series that does not exist.
-
Desire Precedes Verification: Audiences reacted emotionally before confirming facts.
-
Viral Engagement as Market Testing: The enthusiastic online response indicated that, had the series been real, it could have found a massive audience.
In essence, the internet performed an unintentional large-scale feasibility study — without any cost to studios.
Final Assessment
Despite widespread belief, BUDS is not a real Netflix series. It never entered development, casting, or production. It exists solely as a fan-created idea, amplified by AI visuals and the allure of its hypothetical cast.
Yet the viral response carries an important message: audiences still want to see Jim Carrey and Adam Sandler share the screen. Should Netflix or another studio decide to make this collaboration a reality, the market reaction has already been measured — and demand is undeniably strong.
BUDS may not be a show. But it is a statement: fiction can trend like fact, and fans sometimes believe not because they are fooled, but because they genuinely hope it is real.
