I(L to R) Adam Rosette, Michelle Raimo Kouyate and Tyree Dillihay seen at the ‘Goat’ Movie: Family Roarball Experience for Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation’s ‘Goat’ at Intuit Dome on February 01, 2026 in Inglewood, California. Photo: Eric Charbonneau/Sony Pictures via Getty Images.
‘GOAT‘ was a big hit with families, becoming one of the best-grossing movies in the genre earlier this year. Now, the film is available to rent or purchase digitally. Moviefone was invited to attend a press day to learn more about the making of this new Sony Pictures Animation film in support of the digital release. We learned how to draw Will Harris, stepped into the recording booth, and listened to the creatives discuss character creation, arena design, and more.
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Moviefone also attended an in-person press conference with filmmakers Tyree Dillihay and Michelle Raimo Kouyate. Here are five things we learned from them.
When talking about coming up with the real life basketball moves that are used in ‘GOAT’, director Tyree Dillihay reveals that they could not have done it without the help of basketball legend Andre Iguodala.
Tyree Dillihay: Anybody know the name Andre Iguodala? He’s won a few championships. He played with Stephen Curry. He’s had an illustrious basketball career. He’s our basketball consultant. He’s a genius. We call him a beautiful basketball mind. And the reason why is because he accomplished more in two hours than we could have accomplished in months. That’s how long we were kind of banging our heads.
2) Cutting Great Scenes Is Not Easy, But Can Be Necessary
Tyree Dillihay at ‘GOAT’ filmmaker digital release press conference. Photo: Tessa Smith.
Along with the digital release of ‘GOAT’ comes bonus content, including deleted scenes. One scene in particular introduces the Thorns players and was a favorite of the filmmakers, but after a lot of debate, they decided it needed to go.
Tyree Dillihay: That’s the first time you actually see the locker room. We wanted the audience to experience the locker room and this fulfillment of being a professional through Will’s eyes. If you see it too early, it kind of ruins the surprise. Whereas if you hold it long enough so you can experience it through Will’s eyes, we feel it had greater impact.
Michelle Raimo Kouyate at ‘GOAT’ filmmaker digital release press conference. Photo: Tessa Smith.
Michelle Raimo Kouyate: We also wanted to meet the team through Will’s eyes. Jett, that was a different story because she was the second lead. But the rest of the team, we needed to meet through his eyes.
3) Steph Curry Had A Lot Of Input On ‘GOAT’
(L to R) Ayesha Curry and Stephen Curry at the World Premiere of Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation’s ‘Goat’ at AMC Century City on February 06, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Sony Pictures via Getty Images.
Producer Steph Curry is a busy man, but he still found time to help the filmmakers make ‘GOAT’ the best it could be.
Michelle Raimo Kouyate: He was really instrumental in helping us figure out the reality of the game play. Even though it’s animals, he really helped us with that. He gave us thoughts on what it was like to be a new player that was different from everyone else and breaking new ground. He also gave us input on what it’s like to be a superstar with all the pressures that come along with that. And he’s an incredible voice actor. He voices Lenny. So he was very influential.
4) Tyree Dillihay’s Relationship With His Mother Had A Huge Impact On Will Harris’ Story In ‘GOAT’
(L to R) Michelle Raimo Kouyate and Tyree Dillihay at ‘GOAT’ filmmaker digital release press conference. Photo: Tessa Smith.
The story of ‘GOAT’ went through a lot of revisions, over 2,000 to be exact. Tyree Dillihay’s relationship with his mother was a big inspiration when rounding out the character of Will Harris.
Michelle Raimo Kouyate: Tyree grew up with a single mom and it was really the essence of that story, Tyree’s story, that mom who believed in him, in a dream that a black kid from Inglewood would become an artist. His mom really believed in him in that way so that was the underpinnings of the story. It was always in what we understood of the character, but we didn’t always have it in the movie. We realized when we were screening it that we needed to bring that into the movie. It gave the character a whole other reason and it gave you an understanding of who he was and how much rode on him.
5) ‘GOAT’ Is A Love Letter To All The Things Tyree Dillihay Loves
For Tyree Dillihay, ‘GOAT’ is a dream project. He put blood, sweat, tears, and everything he loves into making this film.
Tyree Dillihay: This movie is a love letter to all the things that I love. I love basketball. I love sneaker culture. I love fashion. I love tech. I love the game. I love cartoons. Like everything that I love is in this movie. Talk about a dream project. This is mine. This is me. I’m very happy to be in every single frame of the film because I wanted to feel everything that I love. I hope it exudes through the film. You ever watch a piece of the film and you might get goosebumps? That’s what I’m talking about. There’s been times where we’ve looked at the film, Michelle and I. We’ve cried numerous times. We’ve seen this thing a million times and we keep crying.
The story follows Will, a small goat with big dreams who gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot to join the pros and play roarball – a high-intensity, co-ed, full-contact sport dominated by the fastest, fiercest animals in the world. Will’s new teammates aren’t thrilled about having a little goat on their roster, but Will is determined to revolutionize the sport and prove once and for all that “smalls can ball!”
(L to R) Ayesha Curry and Stephen Curry at the World Premiere of Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation’s ‘Goat’ at AMC Century City on February 06, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Sony Pictures via Getty Images.
‘GOAT‘ delivers a powerful message about dreaming big, no matter how small you are. Moviefone was invited to attend a press day to learn more about the making of this new Sony Pictures Animation film, where we learned about the costuming, character design, and editing process.
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Moviefone also attended a press conference with the cast and creatives, where we heard all about the making of the movie. Here are five things we learned from them.
‘GOAT’ may be based on Steph Curry’s life, but he doesn’t voice the main character Will, instead, he voices the tallest player on the team, Lenny, which he admits was not easy.
Stephen Curry: It’s my first time really doing a, you know, voice acting role. And so that whole experience, it was challenging. It was something that I knew was gonna have to be pulled out of me in the sense of finding that true, authentic Lenny voice. But once I got there, it was an experience I’ll remember for a long time.
2) Gabrielle Union Says Greatness Is Different For Everyone
One of the key messages of ‘GOAT’ is to embrace your greatness, rather than trying to copy someone elses. Gabrielle Union, voice of Jett, discusses how Will encourages her character to be herself.
Gabrielle Union: Will makes me have to go back and get in the lab. His greatness does not look like Jett’s, and Jett’s greatness does not look like Will’s. And it brings out that fire. Like, put up or shut up. You’re only as great as your last game. And I’ve watched it in my own life. I’ve watched it in my household.
3) Patton Oswalt Created A Key Backstory Moment For His Character
Patton Oswalt voices the head coach of the Thorns, Dennis, who has lost power to Jett. In order to help voice him, he came up with a small, key moment, in his backstory.
Patton Oswalt: It’s clear that on day one, not that I write a big biography of this character, it’s clear that on day one, he lost a battle with Jett that lasted two seconds. She immediately put her foot and he’s like, “Okay, I’m just gonna work on this position and operate at this level.” And then during the movie, he has to kinda re-remind himself, wait, no, I’m the coach, I need to be helping these players. And what Gabrielle said about going back into the lab, I wish I had that phrase during all my interviews earlier ’cause that’s so perfect. But he has to teach these players, you each need to get out of your own way.
‘GOAT’ subverts the norm and features a male rookie looking up to a powerful female character. Caleb McLaughlin discusses the dynamic between Will and Jett.
Caleb McLaughlin: She set the bar so high for him in his life that everything that he’s doing in his life is to be like her, is to be great, is to get into roarball. And I think she just sets the bar and brings out the ambition, the drive for what that is. What it is to be a GOAT. You know what I mean? What you have to do to be a GOAT. It’s not easy.
5) Tyree Dillihay Added In The Actors’ Quirks Where Possible
(L to R) Adam Rosette and Tyree Dillihay seen at the ‘Goat’ Movie: Family Roarball Experience for Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation’s ‘Goat’ at Intuit Dome on February 01, 2026 in Inglewood, California. Photo: Eric Charbonneau/Sony Pictures via Getty Images.
Director Tyree Dillihay wanted to make sure that each character featured a little bit of the person voicing them. So, for example, Caleb McLaughlin is a bit of a germaphobe, so he made Will have a small thing about germs.
Tyree Dillihay: With Patton, with Gabrielle, with Caleb, with all of our cast, I tried to find little things about them that we can authentically infuse in a character that didn’t break anything. It just seemed natural. It’s these little quirks that make them seem more real, more identifiable, more specific.
‘Goat’ opens in theaters on February 13th.
What is the plot of ‘GOAT’?
The story follows Will, a small goat with big dreams who gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot to join the pros and play roarball – a high-intensity, co-ed, full-contact sport dominated by the fastest, fiercest animals in the world. Will’s new teammates aren’t thrilled about having a little goat on their roster, but Will is determined to revolutionize the sport and prove once and for all that “smalls can ball!”
Opening in theaters February 13, ‘GOAT’ features the voices of Caleb McLaughlin, Gabrielle Union, David Harbour, and more. Inspired by the real-life story of basketball superstar Stephen Curry, the film delivers a powerful message about dreaming big.
If the ‘GOAT’ trailer did not catch your interest, you are not alone. The marketing for this film has made it seem a lot more silly and childish than it actually is. Sure, there are jokes weaved in for younger audiences, but this a family movie, rather than one made for kids.
Adults have plenty of jokes included for them as well, and the overall message is extremely heartwarming. While ‘GOAT’ has a lot of laugh-out-loud moments, there are also some that will have viewers reaching for the tissues.
While it might seem like this is a story we have all heard before, ‘GOAT’ offers a fresh and unique take on the message of following your dreams. In a world where big animals play Roarball (a play on basketball), a small goat named Will (Caleb McLaughlin) wants nothing more than to take the court.
The movie is not about him working hard to get there, as he is drafted to the Thorns early on. The real message lies in learning to find your place in the world, not listening to others, and being yourself. As he gets to know his teammates, they all grow as one, but also individually.
One of the subtle inclusions, but a powerful one nonetheless, is the fact that the Roarball league is co-ed. Will looks up to Jett as his inspiration. He wants to be like her when he grows up. This normalizes boys and girls, women and men, playing together as one and getting along with each other. It is just one more way that ‘GOAT’ subverts the tropes of a sports movie.
There are plenty of basketball Easter eggs (directors Tyree Dillihay and Adam Rosette certainly know their stuff), but thanks to the brilliant writing, you do not need to know basketball to understand the story or the jokes. Music also has a strong presence in the film, whether it be the inclusion of the a song or the unforgettable score.
Caleb McLaughlin voices Will Harris, the main character, and while he is an amazing live action actor, you never know if that can translate over to voice acting. They are two completely different animals (pun intended). Thankfully, Caleb is sure to blow audiences away as he brings the perfect amount of heart and humor to the film.
Gabrielle Union is a powerhouse and an absolutely brilliant choice for the voice of Jett. A woman who knows exactly what she wants, even if she does a bit of an inflated ego at times. As for the rest of the team: Steph Curry who voices Lenny, David Harbour who voices Archie, Nick Kroll who voices Modo, and Nicola Coughlan who voices Olivia, all bring something special to the table. Creating a voice team that has a comedic and heartfelt chemistry.
‘GOAT’ is far more heartfelt than the marketing leads viewers to believe. Thanks to an incredible cast chemistry, well timed jokes, and gorgeous animation, it sets the bar high for the family films of 2026.
The story follows Will, a small goat with big dreams who gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot to join the pros and play roarball – a high-intensity, co-ed, full-contact sport dominated by the fastest, fiercest animals in the world. Will’s new teammates aren’t thrilled about having a little goat on their roster, but Will is determined to revolutionize the sport and prove once and for all that “smalls can ball!”
(Top row L to R) Destin Daniel Cretton (director, ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’), Bob Persichetti (director,’ Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’), Phil Lord (producer, ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’), Tyree Dillihay (director, ‘GOAT’), Zach Cregger (director, ‘Resident Evil’), (Bottom row L to R) Darren Aronofsky (director, ‘Caught Stealing’), Justin K. Thompson (director, ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’), Nia DaCosta (director, ’28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’), Danny Boyle (director, ’28 Years Later’), and Kogonada (director, ‘A Big Bold Beautiful Journey’) at CinemaCon 2025 for Sony Pictures at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on March 31, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Eric Charbonneau / Sony Pictures via Getty Images.
Preview:
Sony has made its big presentation to the 2025 CinemaCon crowd.
‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’ and ‘28 Years Later’ were among the major titles showcased.
The studio also showed footage from ‘Karate Kid: Legends.’
Theater owners are suffering right now, with takings down compared to last year, even with a solid start to 2025. So the cinema chain owners allied under what is now known as Cinema United –– formerly the National Association of Theater Owners –– will be looking for good news and plenty of potentially successful movies from the studios.
The mantra for the big cinema chains was “survive ‘till ’25,” and we’re here. Which is where CinemaCon comes in –– the big show in Vegas each year where the companies roll out stars and footage to tease what they have in the coming year.
First up was Sony, home of the ‘Spider-Verse‘ and the ‘Karate Kid‘, and we can expect both to show up somehow in the studio’s presentation.
With two and a half hours of show time to fill, the company kicked off like any student forced to give a verbal presentation –– talking about other things, including a sizzle reel of 2024 movies and lots of talk about HDR and distribution. Which is what you get when you’re at a show intended for theater owners.
But then the presentation proper began with Paul Rudd and Jack Black introducing their new comedic take on cult classic, ‘Anaconda,’ cracking a couple of jokes before segueing to welcome Sony movie boss Tom Rothman to the stage. Rothman began his opening remarks with a quip that Seth Rogen’s character in new Apple TV+ series ‘The Studio’ is based on him.
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According to Rothman, the focus of Sony’s presentation will be the filmmakers who have been laboring to produce their new output, and what better choice to start with than Danny Boyle?
Danny Boyle (director, ’28 Years Later’) at CinemaCon 2025 for Sony Pictures at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on March 31, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Stewart Cook/Sony Pictures via Getty Images.
The long-anticipated third entry in the ‘28 Days Later’ franchise is also technically the launch of a new trilogy, with original duo Boyle and writer Alex Garland back behind the camera.
As the title suggests, it’s set years after the original movie set a virus that turns infected humans into rageful creatures upon London and the wider environs on England.
Boyle was there to introduce the premiere of the new trailer for the movie, which had a hard act to follow given the impressively impactful first teaser.
We’re introduced to a new world order for the country –– save havens are in place, where the likes of Aaron Taylor-Johnson‘s Jamie and his family live. But an ill-feted hunting trip strands him in the infected-infested outside world. We also see and hear Ralph Fiennes, a rugged survivor. We’re also told that Cillian Murphy will be back for the new movie.
Nia DaCosta (director, ’28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’) at CinemaCon 2025 for Sony Pictures at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on March 31, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Stewart Cook/Sony Pictures via Getty Images.
Boyle mentions that DaCosta is in production now on that movie, and that they’re looking for financing for the third. So if anyone has some quarters they can spare…
The first movie seethes onto screens on June 20th.
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Unlikely to need more in the way of cash is a certain animated sequel…
Justin K. Thompson (director, ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’) (L), Bob Persichetti (director, ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’) and Phil Lord (producer, ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’) at CinemaCon 2025 for Sony Pictures at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on March 31, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Stewart Cook/Sony Pictures via Getty Images.
Phil Lord and directors Bob Persichetti and Justin K. Thompson took the stage to announce that the third ‘Spider-Verse’ outing will be “bigger than the past two,” and a massive movie, in fact. So massive that it’ll be the first Sony animated pic to show on IMAX screens.
The movie, as you might have suspected from the cliffhanger ending of the second, picks up immediately, so no waiting to see what happens with Miles and co.
We also finally know when the next ‘Spider-Verse’ movie is landing… Prepare to wait until June 4th, 2027 to see this one. Yep, more than two years away!
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That’s followed by a newcomer to the CinemaCon stage…
Darren Aronofsky (director, ‘Caught Stealing’) at CinemaCon 2025 for Sony Pictures at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on March 31, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Stewart Cook/Sony Pictures via Getty Images.
This is Darren Aronofsky’s first trip to CinemaCon, and he’s here to promote ‘Caught Stealing,’ his new crime thriller ‘Caught Stealing.’
Zach Cregger (director, ‘Resident Evil’) at CinemaCon 2025 for Sony Pictures at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on March 31, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Stewart Cook/Sony Pictures via Getty Images.
The next adaptation of the hugely popular video game franchise comes from ‘Barbarian’ director Zach Cregger, who is in the early stages of putting this one together. He promised it’ll be nothing like the Paul W.S. Anderson/Milla Jovovich movies, but still call it a ‘Wild Ride.’
Here’s what he said:
“The movie I’m going to make is unlike any of the previous adaptations…It’s a story that follows one central protagonist from point A to point B as they descend into hell.”
Though only currently in pre-production, the movie has a September 18th, 2026 date on the books.
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And now the whistlestop tour of Sony’s slate continues with…
Stars Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie joined director Kogonada to talk up the fantastical romantic adventure, and debut the first trailer.
Expect that on September 19th.
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A change of pace to…
‘GOAT’
The animated animals-playing-basketball movie is produced by sporting icon Steph Curry, and he appeared via video to introduce the movie, which will be out on February 13th, 2026.
Following ‘GOAT,’ it was the turn of Sony distribution chief Adam Bergerman to discuss release windows, which if we’re honest, is catnip to the CinemaCon crowd.
He also mentioned the company’s continued investment in anime, spotlighted by a clip from…
From there back to more live-action matters, with word that a new ‘Insidious’ movie, co-produced by Blumhouse will be in theaters next year (August 21st, 2026, to be exact).
‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ opens in theaters on July 18th, 2025.
For this one, it’s a case of Classic Story, New Kids as a new group of teens will try to cover up a road accident only to be stalked by a hook-handed killer.
Ben Wang (L) and Ralph Macchio, from ‘Karate Kid: Legends’, at CinemaCon 2025 for Sony Pictures at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on March 31, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Sony Pictures via Getty Images.
The next iteration of the ‘Karate Kid’ movie franchise blends the classic (Ralph Macchio as student-turned-sensei Daniel LaRusso) with the reboot (Jackie Chan’s Sifu Han) as the two teachers combine forces to tutor the new Karate Kid, Ben Wang’s Li Fong.
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A live karate demonstration gave way to Macchio and Wang on stage, who talked up the new movie, and showed a couple of clips and the first trailer.
Destin Daniel Cretton (director, ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’) at CinemaCon 2025 for Sony Pictures at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on March 31, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Stewart Cook/Sony Pictures via Getty Images.
The latest Spidey outing brings Tom Holland swinging back to our screens for Sony’s collaboration with Marvel and the MCU proper.
With Destin Daniel Cretton taking over directorial duties, he was on stage to hype the film.
Destin Daniel Cretton (director, ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’) at CinemaCon 2025 for Sony Pictures at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on March 31, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Stewart Cook/Sony Pictures via Getty Images.
But we also heard from star Holland, who appeared via video from the set of Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ to extol how the new ‘Spider-Man’ will be a “fresh start” for the franchise.
And that’s seemingly confirmed by the title: ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day.’ Which makes some sense given the world-memory-wiping antics of ‘No Way Home.’
It’ll land on July 31st, 2026.
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But wait! There’s more. Tom Rothman returns to the stage to talk about Sam Mendes’ four Beatles biopics, one each focused on John, Paul George and Ringo (kids, ask your grandparents).
It’s being touted as a four-movie cinematic event.
The bold idea for this one is four separate movies, each one focusing on a different band member’s perspective, all shot across one year and then released together in April 2028, to make, as Rothman touts, “the first bingeable theatrical experience.”
And here comes the confirmation of the official cast…
‘The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event’, directed by Sam Mendes. (L to R) Harris Dickinson (John Lennon), Paul Mescal (Paul McCartney), Barry Keoghan (Ringo Starr), and Joseph Quinn (George Harrison). In theaters April 2028. Photo by: John Russo.
Thus ends the Sony presentation. Some hefty hitters there, and a good mix of horror and Spider-action. We’ll have to wait and see how it all plays out.
(L to R) Bob Persichetti (director, ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’), Justin K. Thompson (director, ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’), Phil Lord (producer, ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’), Nia DaCosta (director, ’28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’) and Tyree Dillihay (director, ‘GOAT’) at CinemaCon 2025 for Sony Pictures at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on March 31, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Eric Charbonneau / Sony Pictures via Getty Images.
