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The Team
Not Just A Goof unites past and present storytellers to bring this long-awaited tale to life. A blend of original visionaries and fresh talent, the team pours its passion into a story as heartfelt as it is compelling.
Critical Reception
"A loving tribute to a film that is just now finally getting the love it deserves."
— Ross Bonaime
"A love letter to the cult classic — injected with the same extra heart as the movie it celebrates."
— April 2025
"Honors A Goofy Movie with due reverence."
— Alex Reif
The Documentary
L–R: Christopher Ninness, Cameron Chambers, Scott Seibold & Eric Kimelton
The Story
Not Just A Goof is a feature-length documentary celebrating the 30-year legacy of Disney's A Goofy Movie — one of animation's most beloved cult classics.
Told through intimate interviews with the original cast and crew, rare archival footage, and never-before-seen VHS materials from director Kevin Lima's personal collection, this film reveals how a small team of passionate artists turned an underdog project into a timeless story of fathers, sons, and belonging.
As told in No Film School
"The making of this indie doc is a literal Disney fairytale."
Christopher Ninness, Eric Kimelton, and Scott Seibold — the filmmakers behind Not Just A Goof — tell the full story in their own words: how a five-year passion project made without Disney's permission became an official Disney+ documentary. From the initial idea to the festival circuit to the call from Disney, it's the behind-the-scenes story of the film itself.
Read our story on No Film School →Critical Reception
Coverage
On the 30th anniversary of its release, the Times examines how a modest Disney animated film that opened to middling box office became a defining cult touchstone — and how Not Just a Goof makes the definitive case for its place in animation history.
Animation Magazine sits down with the filmmakers to revisit the making of the Annie-nominated documentary, exploring how a passion project for a beloved cult classic earned recognition from the animation industry's highest honors.
Animation industry publication Cartoon Brew spotlights the documentary's integration of new hand-drawn animation by Venturia Animation Studios — a creative choice that honors the spirit of the original film's artistry.
AWN's in-depth feature praises how the film weaves interviews, new hand-drawn animation, and a deeply personal storyline into "a compelling look at how an animated film can help bring people with seemingly insurmountable differences together."
ComicBook.com covers the Disney+ premiere of the documentary on the exact 30th anniversary of A Goofy Movie's theatrical release, noting the significance of the film finally receiving the spotlight it deserves.
Senior Film Editor Ross Bonaime digs into the archives of one of Disney's most underrated animated films, calling it a treasure trove for fans and praising Kevin Lima's never-before-seen personal VHS collection as the documentary's crown jewel.
StarNews Online previews the Disney+ premiere of the documentary, recapping the unlikely 30-year journey of A Goofy Movie from middling theatrical release to beloved generational touchstone — and the filmmakers determined to give it its due.
Rotoscopers praises the film as having everything you want from a making-of documentary — production stories, cast and crew interviews, and never-before-seen clips — elevated by the same emotional depth as the movie it celebrates.
Alex Reif awards a perfect score, writing that the documentary is both comprehensive and deeply moving — a worthy celebration of an unjustly overlooked Disney classic that deserved far more attention in its day.
Bramble awarded a rare 100/100, recognizing the documentary's exceptional craft and its emotional resonance with fans who grew up with the original film.
Critic M.N. Miller notes the film ultimately proves audiences — not critics — are responsible for turning movies into classics.
Peter Paltridge calls the documentary long overdue, noting that until now rare DVD releases never included any special features on the film — making this the definitive account of A Goofy Movie's creation.
ABC7 spotlighted the film ahead of its Disney+ premiere, featuring Kevin Lima's recollections of being a first-time director trying to make "a John Hughes movie in animation."
Jeff Totey writes that the documentary isn't really a "making-of" — it's about the people behind the film and the people who love it.
The archival footage and in-depth approach make this one of the best documentaries released in recent memory.
Press Kit
Download our full EPK for press assets, bios, and high-resolution images.
Visual Gallery
