Goat Review: Familiar Sports Story Shines Through Animation

This new animated movie isn't doing anything new story-wise, but it's a fun and engaging underdog (or undergoat?) sports comedy that shines thanks to its wonderful production design and animation.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Goat is an animated film set in a world where anthropomorphic animals live their lives much like our own. The story follows Will Harris, a young goat who dreams of making it as a professional roarball (basketball) player, despite being one of the 'smalls' - animals who don't seem built for the game. After going viral with his streetball skills, Will finds himself on his beloved hometown team, the Thorns, though initially as more of a publicity stunt than an actual player. The film takes the familiar underdog sports story path, but does so with warmth, likable characters, and impressive, creative animation that brings this animal-filled world to life.

Why it matters

While Goat doesn't break new ground story-wise, it's a well-executed take on the classic underdog sports comedy that shines thanks to its wonderful animation and production design. In a crowded field of anthropomorphic animal-focused animated films, Goat manages to stand out with its unique visual style and clever integration of the animal nature of its characters.

The details

Our hero, Will Harris (voiced by Caleb McLaughlin), is a young goat who dreams of making it as a professional roarball player, despite being one of the 'smalls' - animals who don't seem built for the game. After going viral with his streetball skills, Will finds himself on his beloved hometown team, the Thorns, though initially as more of a publicity stunt than an actual player. The film also features Jett Fillmore (Gabrielle Union), the Thorns' team captain, a black panther who is a roarball legend but now facing criticism that she's past her prime. As Will bonds with Jett and the rest of his teammates, the film follows the familiar underdog sports story path, but does so with warmth, humor, and impressive, creative animation that brings this animal-filled world to life.

  • Goat is in theaters now.
  • The film is opening while the very well-received and financially successful Zootopia 2 is still in theaters.

The players

Will Harris

A young goat who dreams of making it as a professional roarball player, despite being one of the 'smalls' - animals who don't seem built for the game.

Jett Fillmore

The Thorns' team captain, a black panther who is a roarball legend but now facing criticism that she's past her prime.

Flo

The owner of the Thorns, who hires Will as more of a publicity stunt than an actual player.

Dennis Cooper

The Thorns' proboscis monkey coach.

Stephen Curry

One of the producers of Goat, who also voices the Thorns' giraffe player, Lenny Williamson.

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What they’re saying

“Yes, this is a kids/family animated movie, but we've still seen many in recent years with some interesting and surprising storylines or plot points. Yet there's something to be said for telling a predictable/traditional story well, and while Goat is going down a rather safe path, there's a lot of wit, charm and warmth to be found in the way that writers Aaron Buchsbaum and Teddy Riley (working from a story by Nicolas Curcio and Peter Chiarelli), director Tyree Dillihay, and the animators take us along on Will's journey.”

— Eric Goldman, Reviewer (IGN)

“McLaughlin and Union both bring a lot of heart to their vocal performances, with Union also adding the right touch of world-weary cynicism (and a touch of narcissism) to Jett, who's used to dominating the game in a way that's made her a bad teammate over the years.”

— Eric Goldman, Reviewer (IGN)

The takeaway

While Goat doesn't reinvent the wheel when it comes to the underdog sports story, its wonderful animation and production design, along with its likable characters and warm, charming tone, make it a thoroughly entertaining addition to the crowded field of anthropomorphic animal-focused animated films.