New Movie GOAT: UK Release Date and Voice Casting Details

Film Feature by Chris Olson

There is something about the bounce of a basketball on a hardwood floor that stays with you. As someone who spent a significant portion of my teenage years on the court—alternating between the thrill of a successful fast break and the frustration of a missed free throw—the sport has always held a special place in my heart. It is a game of rhythm, precision, and, above all, the pursuit of greatness. It is perhaps fitting, then, that Sony Pictures Animation’s latest venture is titled GOAT, leaning into the "Greatest of All Time" moniker that has sparked a thousand playground debates.

The buzz surrounding this project is hard to ignore. For a basketball fan, the pedigree behind the scenes is enough to pique interest. The film is produced by none other than Stephen Curry and his Unanimous Media banner. Having one of the greatest shooters in NBA history overseeing a film about his own sport suggests a level of authenticity that often goes missing in Hollywood’s athletic endeavours. Even in an animated world populated by animals, one hopes the mechanics of the game—the arc of the shot, the spacing of the floor—are treated with the respect they deserve.

GOAT UK Release Date

The wait for GOAT is nearly over. For those of us in the UK, the film is scheduled to hit cinemas on 13 February 2026. The timing is deliberate, aligning with the NBA All-Star Weekend, a period when the global basketball community turns its eyes toward the spectacle of the game.

In a cinematic landscape often dominated by sequels and established franchises, there is a refreshing energy to an original sports comedy. Sony Pictures Animation has a formidable track record lately—they are, after all, the studio that gave us the visual revolution of the Spider-Verse films. If they can bring even a fraction of that stylistic innovation to the basketball court, we might be looking at something truly special.

The casting details suggest that Sony is aiming for a broad, multi-generational appeal. Leading the pack is Caleb McLaughlin, known to many from Stranger Things, who provides the voice for Will. Will is our protagonist—a small goat with massive ambitions. In the world of GOAT, the sport is known as "roarball," a high-intensity, full-contact version of the game dominated by the biggest and fiercest animals.

GOAT Official Film Trailer

GOAT Official Film Trailer

Joining McLaughlin is a stellar ensemble. Gabrielle Union, who has her own deep ties to the basketball world, stars as Jett Fillmore, a veteran panther and elite star of the league. It is always encouraging to see sports films that embrace co-ed dynamics, and Union’s involvement brings a certain gravitas to the "veteran" role.

The roster continues with David Harbour as Archie Everhardt, a rhinoceros, and Nicola Coughlan—a personal favourite from Derry Girls and Bridgerton—taking on the role of an ostrich named Olivia Burke. The cast is rounded out by the likes of Nick Kroll, Jenifer Lewis, and Patton Oswalt. Of course, Stephen Curry himself isn’t just staying behind the camera; he lends his voice to a character named Lenny Williamson, a giraffe who presumably has a very high release point on his jumper.

When I played as a teenager, the local court was a sanctuary. It didn't matter if you were the tallest or the strongest; it mattered if you had the heart to stay in the game when the legs started to get heavy. From what I’ve gathered, GOAT leans heavily into this "underdog" or "undersized" narrative. The film’s tagline, "smalls can ball," is a direct nod to Curry’s own career path—a player once told he was too slight to make it at the highest level, only to go on and redefine how the sport is played.

Animation is the perfect medium for a sports story like this. It allows for a literal "stretch" of reality, where the physics of a dunk or the speed of a crossover can be exaggerated to match the emotional weight of the moment. There is a specific kind of magic in seeing a character overcome physical limitations through sheer skill and willpower.

I am hopeful that GOAT manages to capture that feeling. I want to see the sweat on the brow (even on an animal), the squeak of the trainers on the floor, and that singular, satisfying sound of a ball snapping through the net. If the film can marry the heart of a classic sports drama with the visual flair we’ve come to expect from this studio, it could very well become a staple for families and basketball enthusiasts alike.

We are currently in a bit of a golden age for animation that refuses to talk down to its audience. We’ve seen films tackle complex themes of identity and legacy, and there is no reason a sports comedy shouldn't do the same. As we look toward the February release, my fingers are crossed that GOAT delivers more than just slapstick animal antics. Fans of the classic 1996 movie Space Jam should also start doing their stretches.

Space Jam Official Trailer

If GOAT can remind us why we fell in love with the game in the first place—the camaraderie of a team, the discipline of practice, and the joy of a well-played game—then it will have earned its title. Whether you’re a seasoned vet who still remembers your old jersey number or a newcomer who just likes a good underdog story, GOAT seems to be positioning itself as the must-watch family event of the season. See you at the tip-off.