[Movie Reviews]: GOAT (2026) Christian Review – Why This Animated Underdog Story is a Slam Dunk for Faith and Character Building

Look, I'll be straight with you, finding genuinely wholesome movies that don't water down character development is tougher than finding a parking spot at church on Easter Sunday. But GOAT (2026) is the rare animated film that manages to deliver laugh-out-loud moments while sneaking in some seriously solid faith-based principles. After watching it twice (once alone, once with some kids from our community), I'm convinced this is one of those movies every Christian family should have on their radar.

What's GOAT All About?

GOAT follows Will, a undersized goat with oversized dreams of playing Roarball, a fictional high-intensity sport that looks like basketball met rugby and they had an extremely athletic baby. The catch? Will is tiny compared to the massive players who dominate the league. But here's where the movie shines: instead of just going with the tired "believe in yourself and magic happens" trope, GOAT roots Will's journey in something deeper, faith, family values, and the kind of character that doesn't crumble when things get tough.

The animation style is absolutely stunning, reminiscent of the Spider-Verse movies with hand-painted visuals that pop off the screen. But what really caught my attention was the story's refusal to take shortcuts. Will doesn't succeed because he suddenly gets bigger or discovers some hidden superpower. He succeeds because he stays grounded in the values his mother taught him, works his tail off, and learns that real strength comes from something way deeper than physical size.

Faith-Based Themes That Actually Matter

Here's what separates GOAT from most animated movies: it understands that ambition without foundation is just building castles in the sand. The film's message mirrors Jesus's teaching in John 15:5 about remaining connected to the vine. Will's journey isn't about abandoning his roots to chase glory, it's about staying anchored in his core values while pursuing his dreams.

One of the most powerful scenes involves a flashback showing Will's mother sacrificing to support his dreams. It's not sappy or manipulative; it's just honest about how family love and support shape who we become. This relationship becomes the emotional backbone of the film, reminding us that our achievements mean more when they honor the people who lifted us up.

The movie also tackles the counter-cultural idea that character matters more than talent. In a sports world obsessed with stats and physical dominance, Will proves that heart, integrity, and perseverance can level the playing field. That's a message Christian families can really get behind, especially when we're raising kids in a culture that often celebrates shortcuts and self-promotion over genuine character development.

Teamwork Over Individual Glory

What really impressed me was how GOAT emphasizes community over individualism. Yeah, Will is the protagonist, but his success is completely tied to his team's growth. Each character faces their own obstacles, pride, insecurity, lost purpose, and they overcome them together. That's biblical community in action, folks.

The film shows how lifting others up doesn't diminish your own success; it multiplies it. Will's teammates don't just become better players; they become better versions of themselves because they're supporting each other through their struggles. It's the kind of teamwork that reflects what we're supposed to be doing in the church, bearing one another's burdens and pushing each other toward growth.

Production Quality and Authenticity

Here's a bonus that adds credibility: NBA star Stephen Curry served as a producer on this film. As a professing Christian who's been vocal about his faith, Curry brings authentic understanding of sports culture and what it means to stay grounded while competing at the highest level. You can feel that authenticity throughout the movie, it doesn't feel preachy or artificial. The sports scenes are intense and realistic, the emotional beats land naturally, and the faith elements are woven into the story rather than slapped on top.

The humor hits for both kids and adults without relying on crude jokes or pop culture references that'll be dated in six months. There are genuinely funny moments that had me laughing out loud, balanced with surprisingly mature emotional scenes that resonated across generations.

Christian Safety Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Alright, let's get into the nitty-gritty for parents who want specifics:

PG Rating: Accurate

Content Breakdown:

• Curse words: 0 (clean as a whistle)

• Inappropriate language: 2-3 mild insults like "loser" or "wimp" in sports rivalry context

• Gore/violence: 0 graphic violence

• Intense scenes: 4-5 intense Roarball gameplay sequences with collisions and competitive tension

• Scary moments: 1-2 moments where Will faces seemingly impossible odds that might make younger viewers anxious

• Inappropriate content: None

• Spiritual concerns: None, actually promotes positive Christian values

Why not a perfect 5? The intense gameplay scenes might be a bit much for really young or sensitive kids under 6. There are some hard hits during Roarball matches that, while not bloody or graphic, show the physical nature of competitive sports. A couple scenes show Will getting knocked down hard, and there's dramatic tension when it looks like he might fail.

Age recommendation: Perfect for ages 7 and up; younger kids (4-6) might need a parent nearby during the more intense sports sequences.

What Could Be Better?

Look, I'm not going to pretend GOAT is flawless. The narrative does feel a bit disjointed at times, some transitions between scenes could be smoother, and there are moments where the pacing drags slightly. But honestly? These are minor quibbles compared to what the film gets right.

The Bottom Line

GOAT is that rare family film that respects your intelligence while entertaining your kids. It delivers a powerful message about staying rooted in faith and character while pursuing big dreams. The animation is gorgeous, the voice acting is solid, and the themes align beautifully with Christian values about perseverance, humility, service, and community.

In a media landscape where so much content aimed at kids either dumbs down important lessons or contradicts what we're teaching at home and church, GOAT stands out as genuinely helpful. It's the kind of movie you can watch with your kids and then have real conversations afterward about character, faith, and what it means to stay grounded in what matters most.

Final Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

This is a true winner for family movie night. Grab some popcorn, gather the kids, and get ready for a film that'll entertain, inspire, and maybe even spark some meaningful conversations about what it means to build your life on a solid foundation.

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