GOAT (2026) Movie Review: Not the GOAT But Great Regardless
Feeling like a mash-up of two animated heavyweights, Zootopia and Space Jam, GOAT has all the ingredients to become a top-tier animated feature right from the jump. The final result, however, lands somewhere in between. It may not live up to its “greatest of all time” title, but it’s still a fun and well-crafted ride. At its core, the film delivers a well-rounded package that works for both kids and adults, with its sports hook serving as the perfect cherry on top.
Will (voiced by Caleb McLaughlin) is a small goat with big dreams of playing roarball for his hometown team, the Thorns, alongside his childhood idol Jett Fillmore (voiced by Gabrielle Union). When the Thorns fall into a losing slump, Will gets the opportunity of a lifetime after a viral video earns him a spot as the team’s unlikely sixth player. His arrival isn’t exactly welcomed by his new teammates, especially in a league dominated by the biggest and strongest animals. Still, Will is determined to change the game and prove that size isn’t everything and that smalls can, indeed, ball.
True to Sony Pictures Animation’s reputation, GOAT dazzles with its distinct visual flair. The animation pops off the big screen and is consistently mesmerizing, making every roarball match a spectacle in itself. What’s more surprising, though, is the film’s humor. The jokes strike a solid balance between simple, deadpan comedy that plays across all ages and more adult-leaning bits that land with unexpected charm.
Each roarball arena introduces unique visual ideas that help keep the matches engaging, but the film stumbles when it comes to world-building. There’s a sense that the different towns and environments could have been explored further, adding more texture to the universe. This is also the same case for a majority of the supporting cast in the film. Similarly, the sports narrative largely follows a familiar, by-the-book trajectory, offering few surprises along the way but exhilarating in its top moments. While GOAT ultimately plays things safe and falls short of its full potential, there’s more than enough here to make it worth the watch. It may not be the greatest of all time, but it’s an entertaining and visually striking animated film that knows how to play to its strengths.
GOAT (2026) Movie Review: Not the GOAT But Great Regardless
Each roarball arena introduces unique visual ideas that help keep the matches engaging, but the film stumbles when it comes to world-building. There’s a sense that the different towns and environments could have been explored further, adding more texture to the universe. This is also the same case for a majority of the supporting cast in the film. Similarly, the sports narrative largely follows a familiar, by-the-book trajectory, offering few surprises along the way but exhilarating in its top moments. While GOAT ultimately plays things safe and falls short of its full potential, there’s more than enough here to make it worth the watch. It may not be the greatest of all time, but it’s an entertaining and visually striking animated film that knows how to play to its strengths.
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