Stephen Curry hosts early Oakland screening of animated film ‘GOAT’ ahead of nationwide release

An Oakland preview at the Grand Lake Theater

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry held an early public screening of his animated feature film GOAT on Tuesday night at Oakland’s Grand Lake Theater, bringing a red-carpet event to a venue long associated with community-facing premieres. The screening drew local attendees and guests connected to the Bay Area’s arts and entertainment scene, including Oakland native W. Kamau Bell.

The event placed a major studio animated release in a neighborhood cinema setting, underscoring Oakland’s continued role in Curry’s off-court projects and public appearances in the East Bay.

What the film is about

GOAT is an animated sports comedy set in a world of talking animals. The story follows Will, an undersized goat who earns a rare chance to compete at the professional level in a fictional, fast-paced sport known as “roarball.” Within the film’s premise, Will’s new teammates initially doubt whether a smaller player belongs on the roster, setting up a familiar underdog arc built around opportunity, adaptation and proving capability in elite competition.

The film has been positioned as family-friendly entertainment, combining sports action with comedy and character-driven themes that mirror common narratives in youth and professional athletics.

Curry’s role: producer and voice actor

Curry is both a producer on the project and a member of its voice cast. He voices a character named Lenny Williamson, a giraffe. In public remarks about the production, Curry has described the voice-acting process as demanding and more physically involved than he initially expected, emphasizing that recording required sustained energy and performance beyond reading lines.

The project represents a significant on-screen expansion for Curry into feature animation, following earlier entertainment work that included documentary involvement and other media appearances.

Studio partners, cast, and release timing

GOAT is backed by Sony Pictures Animation and Curry’s Unanimous Media, with a wide voice cast that includes Caleb McLaughlin as Will and performers such as Gabrielle Union, Nick Kroll, Nicola Coughlan, David Harbour, Jenifer Lewis, Patton Oswalt, Jelly Roll, Jennifer Hudson, Sherry Cola, Eduardo Franco, Andrew Santino and Bobby Lee. Ayesha Curry is also part of the voice cast.

The film is scheduled for U.S. theatrical release on February 13, 2026. The Oakland screening came days before that rollout, offering an early look in Curry’s home market and reinforcing the Bay Area’s visibility in the film’s promotional calendar.

Key details at a glance

• Event: Early screening at the Grand Lake Theater in Oakland

• Film: GOAT, an animated sports comedy set in an all-animal world

• Curry’s involvement: Producer and voice actor (Lenny Williamson)

• Release date: February 13, 2026 (U.S. theaters)

The preview event brought a major studio animated release to a locally significant Oakland venue, aligning the film’s early public-facing moment with Curry’s long-standing ties to the city.