Stranger Things Star Breaks All-Time Rotten Tomatoes Record With New Underdog Movie

Sony’s new animated movie is becoming the greatest of all time for a Stranger Things star.

Following the massive success of KPop Demon Hunters on Netflix, the studio set its eyes on its next big release with GOAT, starring Caleb McLaughlin, Gabrielle Union, Aaron Pierre, Nicola Coughlan, and David Harbour. Directed by Tyree Dillihay and based on Chris Tougas’ Funky Dunks, the sports movie follows a goat named Will who dreams of becoming a roarball player come true, but the underdog must overcome the challenges and prove that “smalls can ball!”

Ahead of its release, GOAT received mostly positive reviews from critics, which ultimately led to a solid 80% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences not only agree, but they are also reacting overwhelmingly to the new Sony movie, which now has a strong 93% Popcornmeter on the site.

The GOAT’s audience score breaks multiple Rotten Tomatoes records for the cast, as it easily becomes the highest-rated movie for Union (tied with Something the Lord Made) and McLaughlin. In general, the new movie is also the highest-rated project for McLaughlin, even surpassing viewers' reception for Stranger Things, which has an 83% Popcornmeter.

McLaughlin is best known for starring as Lucas Sinclair in Stranger Things and featured in all five seasons. This marks the star's first project to release in just two months after the hit Netflix show ended this past December. GOAT also marks a Stranger Things reunion between him and David Harbour, who played Hopper. The young actor has featured in six movies since his exposure on the series.

Before GOAT’s release, his best-rated movie with audiences was The Book of Clarence, which holds an 80%. The Sony movie received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, with praise for the feel-good underdog story, colorful visual effects, and the voice performances from McLaughlin.

The positive reviews may have played a factor in GOAT’s box office result, especially since this is Sony Pictures Animation’s first movie to get a theatrical release in three years. Their last movie to go to theaters was the acclaimed Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which became a $690.8 million hit.

However, the following animations, KPop Demon Hunters and Fixed, went straight to streaming on Netflix. KPop Demon Hunters became a surprise sensation for Netflix and Sony, breaking multiple streaming records and currently holding the title as the streamer’s Most Popular project ever with 325,100,000.

GOAT marks Sony’s first movie to return to theaters, and it’s already seeing promising results. Despite multiple new releases in the same week, the animated film managed to debut in second place, with $32 million at the domestic box office.

It came just behind Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi’s Wuthering Heights, which made $40 million, while beating out Amazon’s star-studded crime thriller Crime 101, which came in third. Since the two releases were R-rated, GOAT’s PG rating may have helped with its strong debut by offering a family-friendly option.

It’s hard to determine if GOAT will breakeven, however, due to the high $80–90 million budget. Still, it’s clear that the movie is winning over audiences, and word-of-mouth is key in a huge way to boost the Sony movie’s box office.

GOAT is now playing in theaters.

Release Date February 13, 2026

Runtime 93 minutes

Director Tyree Dillihay

Writers Aaron Buchsbaum, Teddy Riley, Nicolas Curcio

Producers Rodney Rothman, Stephen Curry, Michelle Raimo Kouyate, Erick Peyton, Adam Rosenberg

• 
• 

  Gabrielle Union

  Jett Fillmore (voice)