GOAT (2026)
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2025-09 to 2026-08
An aspiring goat must find his place on a professional roarball team while navigating the complexities of fame and teamwork.
The story
In a world populated by anthropomorphic animals, a young goat named Will Harris dreams of becoming a legendary roarball player, a sport similar to basketball. His idol is Jett Fillmore, the star player for the Vineland Thorns. Years later, Will is struggling to make ends meet while practicing the sport in secret. After a viral moment of skill, he is recruited by the Thorns to fill a vacancy on the roster. However, his presence creates immediate tension with Jett, who is the team's established star. Will must now navigate the pressures of professional competition and the complicated dynamics of a team in need of a new spark.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Will Harris, a goat who idolizes the roarball star Jett Fillmore, is recruited by the Vineland Thorns after a video of his skills goes viral. While Jett initially resents his presence, Will eventually earns the respect of his teammates and helps Jett reconnect with her personal goals. The team faces internal turmoil when it is revealed that the owner, Flo, has sold the team to a rival city. This revelation causes a rift, but Will and Jett eventually reconcile to unite the team for the playoffs. During the final championship game against the Lava Coast Magma, Jett suffers a serious injury. In the final moments, she returns to the court to help the team, and Will makes the winning shot. The film ends with the team remaining in Vineland after a surprise ownership revelation.
- First release year
- 2026
- Runtime (minutes)
- 100
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Tyree Dillihay
- Writers
- Aaron Buchsbaum · screenplay; Teddy Riley · screenplay; Nicolas Curcio · story; Peter Chiarelli · story
- Cast and characters
- Caleb McLaughlin · Will Harris; Gabrielle Union · Jett Fillmore; Aaron Pierre · Mane Attraction; Nicola Coughlan · Olivia Burke; David Harbour · Archie Everhardt; Nick Kroll · Modo Olachenko; Jenifer Lewis · Florence "Flo" Everson; Patton Oswalt · Dennis Cooper; Jelly Roll · Grizz; Jennifer Hudson · Louise Harris; Sherry Cola · Hannah; Eduardo Franco · Daryl
- Genres
- animated; sports; comedy
- Themes
- ambition; teamwork; legacy; overcoming adversity
- Tone and mood
- vibrant; wholesome; dynamic
- Setting
- A world of anthropomorphic animals, specifically the city of Vineland.
- Premise and plot tags
- underdog story; sports fable; animal characters
- Reception
- The film received generally positive reviews from critics and was praised for its vibrant, unique animation style, though some critics noted a predictable plot.
- Reported review scores
- CinemaScore · score: A · scale: A+ to F
- Production trivia
- The film features a unique animation style inspired by street art and graffiti.; The team logos were designed by graphic fan designer Emily Morgan.; The film's release coincided with the 2026 NBA All-Star Game.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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