GOAT Debuts with $32 Million Box Office Opening

Sony Pictures Animation's latest feature, "GOAT," debuted in theaters on February 13, 2026, earning widespread praise from audiences and securing a strong second-place opening at the domestic box office with $32 million in ticket sales. The film, directed by Tyree Dillihay, stars Caleb McLaughlin of "Stranger Things" fame as Will Harris, a young goat aspiring to excel in roarball, a high-stakes, coed version of basketball played by anthropomorphic animals in a fantastical world divided between "smalls" and "bigs."

The story centers on Will's underdog journey to join the professional Vineland Thorns team, challenging prejudices that smaller animals cannot compete with larger, fiercer ones like panthers, rhinos, and giraffes. After a viral video of Will standing up to reigning MVP Mane Attraction draws attention, he earns a spot on the roster, initially as a publicity stunt. His determination, heightened senses, and teamwork help him prove his worth, emphasizing themes of perseverance and collaboration in a sport set across diverse ecosystems, from vine-covered urban arenas to volcanic courts.

McLaughlin voices the ambitious protagonist, marking a career high for the actor with...