The box office over the Presidents’ Day holiday weekend was topped by Wuthering Heights, but when it came to animation, Sony Pictures Animation’s original feature GOAT was the clear standout. Early estimates put the film at roughly $47.6 million worldwide over its opening 4-day weekend, outperforming most expectations and proving that original feature animation can still draw big crowds.
In North America, GOAT brought in about $26 million over the three-day weekend, with expectations rising to roughly $32 million across the four-day frame.
International markets added another $15 to $16 million, bringing the film’s 3-day total to $41.6 million and its 4-day holiday mark to around $48 million, with many key markets yet to debut the film.
Sony’s Big Win
Directed by Tyree Dillihay, with Adam Rosette co-directing, the film is famously produced by NBA legend Stephen Curry. Animated by Sony Pictures Imageworks, the film is an undergoat story about an undersized ruminant who wants to play pro roarball alongside nature’s most dominant beasts.
For Sony, the result matters beyond the headline numbers. GOAT is a fully original property launching at a time when studios have become increasingly cautious about theatrical animation that is not tied to an existing franchise. In a marketplace still adjusting to post-pandemic habits, the film’s opening suggests there is still room for original animated features that connect clearly with family audiences.
Strong, word-of-mouth-led legs, which seem likely given positive critical and audience responses to the film, could be huge news for an industry facing uncertainty at the top.
Overcoming Expectations
It’s still early in the year, but GOAT has proved a promising start to what could be a huge 2026 for animated films at the box office in which we predict many animated films will outperform expectations.
Early tracking had pointed to a domestic debut closer to the low or mid $20 million range for GOAT, making the final weekend numbers a welcome upside. Strong turnout on Friday and Saturday helped push the film higher than expected, supported by strong word of mouth.
From a creative standpoint, GOAT leans into familiar sports movie storytelling, a long-standing favorite of audiences, pairing an underdog narrative with broad comedy and sharply designed anthropomorphic characters. It is a formula that audiences understand quickly, and that accessibility appears to be paying off at the box office. From the first clips we saw at last year’s Annecy, this one always felt like a potential breakout title of 2026, and it’s opening can only be good for the industry.
What’s Next for GOAT
The next few weeks will determine how far GOAT will rank among other recent films of similar scope and scale. If the film manages steady weekday business and avoids sharp weekend drops, it could end up as one of the more successful original animated theatrical releases of the year. After its impressive opening, if the film can leg out like Elemental or Puss in Boots, Sony could have a hit in their hands and a potential franchise for the future.
At a time when studio animation in theaters is largely driven by sequels and recognizable brands, GOAT’s opening weekend serves as a quiet but encouraging reminder that original animated films can still find an audience when the concept and execution line up.