Goat (2026) Movie Review: A Crowd-Pleasing Underdog Story Done Right

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Goat (2026) made me laugh, rejoice, and chuckle in every sense possible. The universe feels aesthetically vibrant, like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse mixed with the soft, goofy energy of Kung Fu Panda, the electric chemistry of Zootopia, and the clever, persistent characters of Madagascar. And yeah, it almost feels too good to be true for an original story in 2026, when we have been constantly fed poor adaptations, or brainrot animation that disrespects the first installments. Goat stands on its own with a unique voice, and that makes it a hearty experience for all ages. The animated sports comedy, co-directed by Tyree Dillihay and Adam Rosette, and written by Aaron Buchsbaum and Teddy Riley, based on a story by Nicolas Curcio and Peter Chiarelli, is inspired by a single chapter from an unpublished book by Chris Tougas.

The film follows an anthropomorphic goat, Will Harris (Caleb McLaughlin), a smart go-getter who refuses to stop dreaming of playing alongside the greatest of all time, Jett Fillmore (Gabrielle Union), for his favorite roarball team, the Thorns. Roarball is basically basketball, but with “Goblet of Fire” style challenges thrown into the mix. Will grew up watching the games with his mother and became obsessed with the idea of playing for the team, but a short and skinny goat is not taken seriously by the local players in the neighborhood. Still, he is persistent and believes that the greater good will come his way because he is good at the game. All he needs to do is climb that one mountain first. However, that dream feels far removed from his daily life, where nothing really conspires in his favor as he struggles to pay rent and find a team willing to let him play

Jett, a black panther who has been the MVP of Roarball for years, loses a sure-shot game against the rival MVP, Mane Attraction (Aaron Pierre), a self-indulgent Andalusian horse. She completely loses her cool and demands that the team owner, Flo (Jennifer Lewis), bring in a player who is worth the shot. Will’s winning attitude finally earns him a place on the team after a meme of him getting pinned down while playing Mane goes viral. Mane is tired of playing against what he sees as an aging Black Panther. Alongside Jett, Thorn’s team includes a social media-obsessed ostrich, an Indian rhinoceros who is a father of two wild toddlers, an adventure-loving Komodo dragon, and a giraffe with hidden rapping skills.

The 100-minute film has impeccable detailing, instantly pulling you into a world that carries a Ghibli-like everyday warmth, filled with asymmetrical characters who have bigger hearts, chest-pounding love, and nothing but hope to hold on to. The color palette and the fluid movement of the 3D animation pull you straight into their universe and turn you into another cheering Vineland resident, rooting hard for the team that is desperate to win the fans’ hearts back. However, the addition of a goat to the once “has-been” team deeply scars the players, especially Jett, whom roarball fans are ready to retire. The film plays with the notion that not all fingers are the same, yet a punch can be powerful if you use the right technique. And that is only the first layer of what it is trying to say.

Sony Pictures Animation delivers a hearty comedy that does not take long to play with its tropes. It stays light and keeps its message crisp, while exploring what greatness actually means to different people. The idea of GOAT is not simply about being great at something, but also about glory, validation, and the constant pressure of expectations. The movie beautifully and sensitively touches on ego and what it means to pass the baton to someone equally great. Roarball is a team sport. Not every player needs to have the same function, just like fingers on a hand. A team wins when everyone keeps their ego in check and works together. Without humiliating anyone or putting someone down, Tyree Dillihay’s Goat refuses to let bullies with bad egos control the game. It also helps that the film does not shy away from class politics, with the big and small players representing the unfairness that has propagated into everything. The way the film feels like it’s championing underrepresented voices is also commendable and worth noticing – you can easily recognise that not a single white character is a central character here and that alone will make you smile.

The humor remains consistent and never dips, which makes Goat a gleefully cheerful film that wins hearts every time Will brings his charisma and winning attitude to the screen. Even when Jett despises him and everything about him seems to irritate her, she cannot ignore that go-getter spirit, which is the true mark of sportsmanship. Goat stands out because it leaves a lasting impression. It draws in younger audiences while its humor and wild spirit land just as well with adults (who might feel a tad overstimulated by the time the film ends). The emotional moments are well-timed and supported by a strong song selection that captures the feelings of the characters. Tracks like “I’m Good” and “Don’t Dream It’s Over” bring the whole vibe together, emotionally connecting the characters even when they are apart.

Will’s character is layered, and his bold underdog dream of being the “chosen one” comes through strongly. At the same time, the film allows the other characters to feel like main characters too, because this is ultimately a story about everyone chasing that one dream of becoming the person who rises after a long struggle. Goat (2026) is as original as it can be. However, it will be a hard fall if the makers fail to respect this idea and turn it into a hollow, fan-service sequel just to build a franchise and cash in on its potential.