Is Goon Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Goon is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies.
It features a runtime of 92 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Goon Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2012, Goon emerges as a significant entry in the Comedy, Drama domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Doug Glatt, a slacker who discovers he has a talent for brawling, is approached by a minor league hockey coach and invited to join the team as the "muscle. Unlike standard genre fare, Goon attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Goon features a noteworthy lineup led by Seann William Scott . Supported by the likes of Marc-André Grondin and Alison Pill , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Goon (2012) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.4/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Goon Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Goon is a Comedy, Drama film that brings laughter through clever writing and comedic timing, offering both entertainment and social commentary. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. Doug Glatt, a slacker who discovers he has a talent for brawling, is approached by a minor league hockey coach and invited to join the team as the "muscle." Despite the fact that Glatt can't skate, his best friend, Pat, convinces him to give it a shot, and Glatt becomes a hero to the team and their fans, until the league's reigning goon becomes threatened by Glatt's success and decides to even the score. The film finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks and running gags that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together running gags and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Goon Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Goon concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Goon reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Goon?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Goon Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $12.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $7.0M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Goon Budget
The estimated production budget for Goon is $12.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Advertisement
Full Cast & Crew of Goon
- Seann William Scott – Doug Glatt
- Marc-André Grondin – Xavier Laflamme
- Alison Pill – Eva
- Jay Baruchel – Pat
- Liev Schreiber – Ross Rhea
Top Highlights
Seann William ScottDoug Glatt
Marc-André GrondinXavier Laflamme
Alison PillEva
Jay BaruchelPat
Liev SchreiberRoss Rhea
Eugene LevyDr. Glatt
Kim CoatesRonnie Hortense
Nicholas CampbellRollie Hortense
Richard ClarkinGord Ogilvey
Jonathan CherryMarco Belchoir
Where to Watch Goon Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Amazon Prime Video
fuboTV
Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel
Warriors and Gangsters Amazon Channel🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
FlixFling🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeFlixFlingParents Guide & Age Rating
Goon is rated R. It is intended for mature audiences only.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.4/10, and global collection metrics, Goon stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2012 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Goon movie hit or flop?
Goon has received mixed reviews with a 6.4/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Goon worth watching?
Goon is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Comedy, Drama movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Goon online?
Goon is currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. You can also check for it on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel, Warriors and Gangsters Amazon Channel depending on your region.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked Goon
How Goon Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Goon
Click here for a video version of this review: https://youtu.be/c6TxAXR2-fE Doug Smith was an ice hockey enforcer who played over 60 games for seven teams over the course of his career. In June 2002 he wrote a book entitled _Goon: The True Story of an Unlikely Journey into Minor League Hockey_. That book was the basis for the 2012 movie _Goon_ starring Seann William Scott. I've not read the book, but have known about the movie for quite a while, but never got around to watching it. Here's the official description to give you an idea about what the movie focuses on: _Doug Glatt, a slacker who discovers he has a talent for brawling is approached by a minor league hockey coach and invited to join the team as the "muscle." Despite the fact that Glatt can't skate, his best friend, Pat, convinces him to give it a shot, and Glatt becomes a hero to the team and their fans, until the league's reigning goon becomes threatened by Glatt's success and decides to even the score._ While this is marketed as a comedy, its really not that funny. That's not say that its a drama though, because its not that serious. It never really fully commits to being either, so the end result for me just felt like a series of mildly interesting things happening. What doesn't help this is the editing which moves everything along way too fast. It's almost like this was once a longer movie that was cut down to fit a 90min run time. Some scenes feel cut short and incomplete, and I felt like at times they're going "okay you get what's going on here, so we don't need to finish the scene, so let's move on to the next one!" Add to that Jay Baruchel being extremely annoying any time he was on screen, and a side character having more of a story arc, and I felt myself regularly tuning out of this and checking how much time was left. This movie seems to have a bit of a cult following, but I really couldn't get pulled into it. There is a sequel out there, but I won't be busting any doors down to watch it. Side note: If you're a hockey fan, make sure you watch the credits for some footage of the real Doug in action cracking heads on the ice.
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
Useful Links
More with Seann William Scott
View full filmography
Part of the Goon Collection
Explore the full watch order, ratings, and collection details.
View Full Franchise