Goat Brings Big-Name Voices and Heart to a Roarball Underdog Story
Sony Pictures Animation’s Goat opens in theaters Feb. 13 (ET), offering a family-friendly, sports-centric animated comedy set in an all-animal world. Centered on a small but determined goat named Will Harris, the film combines a blockbuster-caliber voice cast with polished animation and a familiar underdog arc that early critics are calling charming and well-acted.
Star-packed voice roster backs a small-goat-with-big-dreams lead
At the center of Goat is Will Harris, a teenage Boer goat voiced by Caleb McLaughlin. Will’s dream of playing professional roarball — a full-contact, co-ed sport that serves as the film’s stand-in for basketball — drives a story about grit, teamwork and challenging size-based expectations. McLaughlin is joined by a lengthy list of performers from film, television, comedy and the sports world who populate the Thorns and rival teams.
Gabrielle Union voices Jett Fillmore, a superstar black panther and the Thorns’ veteran captain who begins the story distant and guarded but gradually connects with Will. David Harbour plays Archie Everhardt, an imposing rhinoceros enforcer whose tough exterior masks parental instincts. Aaron Pierre voices Mane Attraction, an Andalusian horse and the league’s reigning MVP who serves as Will’s chief rival.
The cast also features athletes-turned-voice-players who lend real-world basketball credibility: Stephen Curry voices Lenny Williamson, a giraffe on the Thorns and a film producer is credited among the creative leadership. The roster expands to include appearances from Dwyane Wade, Ayesha Curry, Angel Reese and A’ja Wilson, blending celebrity voices with the film’s sports DNA. Supporting comedic turns come from performers such as Nick Kroll, Nicola Coughlan and Patton Oswalt, while Jenifer Lewis provides a memorable presence as team owner Flo.
Story, tone and early critical takeaways
Goat follows a fairly traditional sports-movie blueprint: a video of Will holding his own in streetball goes viral, earning him a spot on the Thorns — initially as a publicity stunt — and forcing teammates and coaches to contend with both outsider skepticism and internal tensions. Predictability is part of the design, but filmmakers lean into warmth, humor and character work rather than surprise twists.
Reviewers praising the movie point to strong animation, a lively tone and the chemistry between the vocal leads. The relationship between Will and Jett serves as a near co-lead dynamic, giving the film an emotional center that balances its comedy and sports set pieces. Voice performances from McLaughlin and Union are singled out for their emotional clarity and energy, while the supporting cast provides comedic punctuation and heart.
Behind the voices, Goat’s creative team includes writers and directors who shape the film into a family-friendly, crowd-pleasing feature. The screenplay and direction favor a straightforward narrative, and the result is a movie that may not break new ground but delivers satisfying moments of teamwork, personal growth and on-court action that land with younger viewers and sports fans alike.
Where Goat fits in the animated sports landscape
Releasing into a marketplace still animated by recent animal-led hits and hybrid basketball films, Goat aims to stake its claim through personality and sport-specific spectacle. Its blend of celebrity athletes in voice roles and seasoned comic actors gives it a cross-demographic pull: young audiences get a plucky protagonist with clear stakes, while older viewers may appreciate the film’s nods to competitive sports culture and veteran performers’ turns.
Opening on Feb. 13 (ET), Goat positions itself as a warm, accessible entry in the animated sports genre — an underdog tale that relies on heart, ensemble voice work and vivid animation to make a small goat feel like a big presence on the court.
