NBA star Steph Curry and Sony Pictures Animation teamed up for the wild animated comedy sports film GOAT. Once again, audiences are introduced to a world where there are no humans, only talking animals (think Zootopia but without the slick, fun, and original characters). And in this new imaginary world, every animal’s favorite sport is roarball, an extremely dangerous version of basketball.
The action begins with little Will Harris (voiced by Caleb McLaughlin, Stranger Things), a goat on his way to a roarball game with his mom. Jett Fillmore (voiced by Gabrielle Union), a sleek black panther, is Will’s favorite player on his home team. As he watches her lead the team to victory, Will tells his mom, “When I get big, I’m going to be just like her.”
Fast-forward a few years and Will hasn’t gotten much bigger. However, he’s determined to keep practicing, and it turns out he’s very talented on the court. But there’s a problem. Professional roarball only takes large animals like panthers, elephants, and rhinos. Still, Will refuses to give up on his dream.
His talent doesn’t go unnoticed and shortly after a video goes viral of him almost defeating a roarball player on the practice court, The Thorns team owner, Florence Everson (a warthog voiced by Jenifer Lewis), pays Will a visit. “Seeing as we haven’t won a game all season, you might be exactly what this team needs right now,” says Flo and signs him on the spot.
The signing doesn’t go over well with Jett, who was hoping the new player would be a large animal, like an alligator or lion, and wasn’t expecting a goat. Jett’s tempted to eat him to solve the problem, but, fortunately for Will, she’s stopped by Flo.
Yet being signed to the team doesn’t end Will’s problems. He’s not given any playtime on the court and is ridiculed for his small stature by his teammates. Will’s got to keep his head in the game and find a way to hit the court. It is all about proving himself to his teammates, especially Jett, and really showing what he is made of to himself too.
GOAT is an animated sports comedy with a talented voice cast but jumbled action scenes, which sadly take away from the film’s enjoyment. It’s too frenetic for its own good, something that’s likely to bother adults in the audience.
Caleb McLaughlin does a solid job voicing Will, the underdog who refuses to quit because he wants to show his mother that she was right to believe in him. McLaughlin gives him endless confidence and just the right amount of cockiness to make the audience root for him.
Gabrielle Union is perfect as Jett, the star player whose career is fading as she closes in on retirement. Jett refuses to go down without a fight and won’t be upstaged by, of all animals, a goat. Her character’s arc of realizing she needs not just Will but all her teammates to turn the season around is the best storyline in the film.
The animation is bright and colorful but not groundbreaking. GOAT skillfully handles the messages for kids about believing in yourself, the importance of family, and giving someone a chance. But the message and style battle the film’s frantic action scenes and over-the-top sports sequences, which are almost impossible to follow.
Colorful, chaotic, and loud, GOAT is an animated underdog story with solid messages for kids and enough zaniness to keep them entertained. Adults, not so much.
GRADE: B-
Rating: PG for some rude humor and brief mild language
Running Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Release Date: February 13, 2026
Directed By: Tyree Dillihay
Studio: Sony Pictures Animation
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