In February 2026, Sony Pictures Animation will release GOAT, an original animated feature that merges the rush of professional sports with the warmth of an underdog story. Coming nearly a decade after The Star (2017), GOAT signals the studio’s return to wholly original material, steering away from sequels and franchises. This time, the ambition is literal: the main character is a goat who dreams of becoming the Greatest of All Time.

The movie, directed by Tyree Dillihay with co-director Adam Rosette, introduces Will — a small goat with a gigantic dream — who finds himself drafted into a high-octane sport called roarball, a co-ed game that blends elements of basketball, rugby, and sheer chaos. Set in an animal-dominated city where athleticism defines status, the story follows Will’s climb from curiosity to champion, against all odds and expectations.

the story behind the sports world

Roarball functions as both spectacle and metaphor. In this fictional sport, lions, rhinos, and eagles rule the arena, leaving little space for small creatures to compete. When Will receives a surprise invitation to join a professional team, the narrative turns into a lively confrontation between ego and effort, strength and intelligence.

The film’s writers, Aaron Buchsbaum and Teddy Riley, treat this premise as a universal parable of ambition: it is not only about proving oneself but also redefining what greatness means. In interviews, Dillihay has described the world-building of GOAT as “a cartoon answer to the NBA,” where sneakers, swagger, and sponsorship coexist with teamwork and humility.

The sport itself becomes an allegory for society’s obsession with performance. Will’s teammates — ranging from a cheetah striker to a bear goalkeeper — underestimate him at first. Yet as training unfolds, the goat’s perspective and discipline begin to inspire unity in the locker room. Beneath the comedic pacing and stylized action, GOAT explores how greatness often emerges from perseverance rather than physical dominance.

 

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star power in the voice cast

Sony has assembled an ensemble of recognizable voices to carry the emotional and comedic beats. Caleb McLaughlin, known for Stranger Things and Shooting Stars, voices Will, giving the character both vulnerability and drive. Gabrielle Union brings warmth to Coach Leena, a veteran roarball strategist who mentors the team. David Harbour contributes his trademark gruff humor as a skeptical rhino defender.

The supporting cast reads like a map of pop culture: Patton Oswalt, Nicola Coughlan, Nick Kroll, Jenifer Lewis, Aaron Pierre, and country-rapper Jelly Roll add texture and variety. But the most unexpected addition is Stephen Curry, who not only produces the film but also voices Lenny Williamson, a tall giraffe commentator whose courtside banter nods to real-world NBA culture.

Curry’s presence is symbolic. In sports, the acronym “GOAT” — Greatest of All Time — has long been attached to legends like Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, or Tom Brady. By lending his voice and brand to an animated story about perseverance, Curry transforms a familiar internet meme into a family-friendly ideal.

design

Visually, GOAT aims to blend stylized realism with kinetic humor. The film’s art direction borrows from sneaker culture and stadium architecture, evoking tunnel walks, pre-game rituals, and the polished glare of televised sports. According to Sony Pictures Animation, the design team studied everything from NBA uniforms to zoological anatomy to create believable athletes in exaggerated forms.

Each animal has a movement style informed by its real-life counterpart — cheetahs dash, rhinos charge, birds dive — while maintaining cartoon elasticity. Will’s goat agility introduces an acrobatic rhythm that becomes the visual anchor of the film’s climax.

Color palettes echo the emotional rhythm of the story: dusty tones for Will’s farm origins, electric neons for the stadium scenes, and golden light for moments of triumph. Tyree Dillihay, who previously worked on The Boondocks and Bob’s Burgers, brings a background in expressive television animation that translates well into cinematic scale.

soundtrack and score

Music in GOAT reflects its kinetic energy. Early previews hint at a soundtrack fusing hip-hop, stadium anthems, and orchestral brass, designed to mirror the intensity of a championship game. Rumors suggest involvement from producers linked to Dreamville and Roc Nation, aligning the film with contemporary sports culture.

The score reportedly uses live drums and horn sections to elevate emotional beats, while licensed tracks highlight moments of swagger and self-doubt. The balance between motivational and playful tones mirrors Will’s own arc — from hesitant rookie to confident contender.

a production via rep

For Sony Pictures Animation, GOAT also signals a commitment to representation behind the camera. Tyree Dillihay, one of the few Black directors leading a major animated feature, views the film as both entertainment and visibility. The studio’s partnership with Stephen Curry’s production company, Unanimous Media, continues a collab that began with the Apple TV+ series Underrated.

The combination of Curry’s sports credibility and Dillihay’s animation background creates a hybrid narrative that speaks to young audiences of color and global fans alike. The creative team has emphasized authenticity — from locker-room dialogue to the way players celebrate victories. In early screenings at industry events, journalists noted how GOAT uses familiar sports tropes without parodying them, capturing the emotional rhythm of competition.

release

GOAT is scheduled for a February 13, 2026 release, positioned strategically for family audiences around Presidents’ Day weekend. Sony’s marketing campaign will likely highlight its aspirational themes — courage, confidence, and teamwork — appealing to children and adults alike.

The first official trailer, released in mid-2025, introduced viewers to Will’s journey through fast-cut montages of training sessions, missteps, and roaring crowds. The animation’s texture immediately drew comparisons to Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, another Sony production celebrated for visual innovation.

By leaning into the energy of sports culture, the film stands apart from typical fairy-tale narratives. The teaser tagline — “Everyone wants to be the GOAT. Few dare to play like one.” — encapsulates its message: greatness is earned, not declared.

from meme to message

Few cultural terms have had the lifespan of “GOAT.” Once niche slang, it evolved through hip-hop lyrics, sports commentary, and social media debates. By 2025, every generation understands the shorthand: greatness isn’t just skill, it’s legacy.

The movie reinterprets this meme not as arrogance but aspiration. Will’s growth embodies humility — the idea that greatness is collective, achieved through teamwork and mentorship. The supporting characters reflect diverse paths to success: some are veterans, some prodigies, some driven purely by love of the game. Together they represent the spectrum of ambition in a world that mirrors our own competitive society.

impression

Beyond its humor, GOAT functions as animated sports commentary. Through stylized action sequences, it captures both the thrill and exhaustion of competition. The camera whips around the arena like a drone broadcast, following the blur of movement that defines modern sports coverage.

The editing rhythm mimics highlight reels — slow-motion leaps, sweat flickering in light, roaring crowds swelling under the score. This visual grammar situates GOAT in the lineage of sports cinema while expanding it into animated form. The result is a film that feels both familiar and freshly energetic.

By translating teamwork and individual brilliance into color and motion, GOAT may inspire a new wave of sports-themed animation aimed at diverse audiences.

 

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