Is it okay to use "friends" instead of "buddies" here?
Native speaker’s answer
Rebecca
Yes, "friends" can replace "buddies" here. If there is a difference, Buddy is often referred to as a male friend, unlike a friend that includes both female and male friends. The reason why the American drama Friends doesn't have to be titled "Buddies" is that the protagonists are composed of three male and three female actors. And there is a subtle difference in nuance, where Buddy generally implies a lighter relationship than a friend. Buddy is not very close; but includes a rather vague relationship, while the latter is more warm, welcoming. That is why you use the expression "my old friend" when you refer to a true friend who you can trust in a movie. For example, if you watch “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”, Gandalf and Saruman used the term "old friend" to emphasize their long friendship. But! In rare circumstances, Buddy also can be used to express deep relationships like friends. One of the best examples would be Woody and Buzz in the Toy Story series. However, this is merely because the children feel more familiar with the word buddy instead of a friend. Also, Buddy is more like a casual expression, so it would be more natural to write or use friends in public or on important occasions.
