Angel Studios' 'David' Scores Big: A Biblical Epic for the Whole Family

Get ready for a faith-filled musical adventure this holiday season as Angel Studios' David is already making waves with record-breaking pre-sales and a star-studded voice cast.

TL;DR

• David, Angel Studios' new animated musical, hits theaters nationwide December 19, boasting nearly $3 million in pre-sales in just three weeks.
• Featuring Christian artist Phil Wickham and actor Brandon Engman, the film tells the epic biblical story of David from shepherd to king.
• Expect a "values-driven" family experience, complete with an in-theater sing-along event on December 31 to keep the celebration going.

Imagine a movie that hasn't even hit theaters yet, but it's already pulled in nearly $3 million in pre-sales over just three weeks. That's exactly what Angel Studios' upcoming animated musical, David, has accomplished, setting a new company record. This isn't just a win for Angel Studios; it's also reportedly the highest pre-sale figure ever reported for an animated theatrical musical in such a short timeframe. Source: [Deadline, "Angel Studios Says Animated Musical ‘David’ Near $3 Million in Theatrical Pre-Sales", November 13, 2025]

This early success suggests some serious buzz, positioning David for a highly competitive nationwide opening on December 19. If you’re looking for inspiring, faith-filled entertainment for the family this Christmas holiday, this film is definitely landing on the radar of many moviegoers, and theater chains like Cinemark are taking notice. Source: [Boxoffice Pro, "Angel Studios Says Animated Musical ‘David’ Near $3 Million in Theatrical Pre-Sales", November 13, 2025]

Bringing the Legendary Biblical King to Life on the Big Screen

The film delves into the timeless story of David, charting his journey from a young shepherd boy with quiet devotion to a courageous leader who stands against the giant Goliath. It’s a narrative that explores the limits of loyalty, love, and courage, culminating in a battle not just for a crown, but for the very soul of a kingdom. Angel Studios has even compared its visual appeal to "gorgeous as Tangled" and its emotional depth to "moving as The Prince of Egypt."

This ambitious project was co-directed by Brent Dawes, who also wrote the screenplay, alongside Phil Cunningham. Dawes shared that the idea for an animated feature about David originated with Cunningham, who heads Sunrise studio. It wasn't Dawes's initial personal inspiration, but it was an opportunity he eagerly embraced, demonstrating how collaborative visions can spark massive projects.

Angel Studios, known for its unique audience-driven model, has played a pivotal role in bringing David to fruition. The studio's crowd-funding mechanisms helped generate significant interest, and its "Angel Guild" – a paying membership of 1.6 million individuals – directly influences which projects the studio pursues. This guild gave David the highest scores ever recorded, a testament to its compelling story and message.

"The early success of David is no surprise. Our audience chooses which stories reach theaters, and the Angel Guild has embraced David with the highest scores ever recorded. This is a powerful, values-driven animated musical that unites families and uplifts hearts – the perfect story to celebrate the holidays."

— Jordan Harmon, President of Angel Studios

The Incredible Voices Behind the Music: Phil Wickham's Dream Role

The film features a talented voice cast, including multi-platinum Christian recording artist Phil Wickham as the adult David. Playing young David is actor, dancer, and singer Brandon Engman, who also performs the song "Shalom" in an exclusive clip. This song, written by Brock Monroe Baker and Molly Kate Kestner, and produced by Chad Carouthers and Joseph Trapanese, offers a taste of the film's musical grandeur. Source: [Movieguide, "EXCLUSIVE: Experience ‘Shalom’ From The Upcoming DAVID Musical Epic!", November 12, 2025]

Wickham's journey to the role was quite remarkable. Despite his massive success in the music world, voicing an animated character was a lifelong dream he never actively pursued. When the opportunity for David arose, he jumped at it, going through multiple rounds of auditions. He even told the talent scout that if he didn't measure up, he'd rather not be hired, highlighting his humility and dedication to the project's quality.

"It was a dream I never chased, and I never thought it would become reality... I felt the weight of it in it [voicing David]. But I also really did trust the directors."

— Phil Wickham, Voice of Adult David

He found his footing during the auditions, feeling he improved with each try. Weeks passed before he received the call offering him the role, proving that even a celebrated artist has to work for their dream roles. Wickham described the experience in the studio as both weighty, given David's historical significance, and liberating, thanks to his trust in the directors.

The music is clearly a cornerstone of this film. Angel Studios has already released the full original soundtrack, which is reportedly the earliest complete soundtrack ever launched for an animated theatrical musical. The teaser trailer has garnered nearly three million views on YouTube, and standout music moments from the film have collectively generated over 17 million views across various platforms. This early release gives audiences a chance to immerse themselves in the "stirring music" long before the film's debut. Source: [Boxoffice Pro, "Angel Studios Says Animated Musical ‘David’ Near $3 Million in Theatrical Pre-Sales", November 13, 2025]

More Than Just a Movie: An Immersive Experience for Families

The film's release timing on December 19 is strategically placed for the Christmas holiday, making it a fitting choice for families seeking inspiring and faith-filled entertainment. Cinemark's SVP of Global Content Strategy and Analysis, Justin McDaniel, noted, "We are seeing strong early enthusiasm from moviegoers, and its release during the Christmas holiday makes it a fitting choice for families seeking inspiring and faith-filled entertainment."

"Angel continues to deliver compelling films that resonate with audiences across our circuit, and David is no exception... We are seeing strong early enthusiasm from moviegoers, and its release during the Christmas holiday makes it a fitting choice for families seeking inspiring and faith-filled entertainment."

— Justin McDaniel, Cinemark SVP of Global Content Strategy and Analysis

Building on this momentum, Angel Studios plans a special David Family Sing-Along event in theaters nationwide on December 31. This interactive celebration is designed to extend the film's theatrical run and offer audiences a unique, music-filled New Year's experience. It’s a clever way to keep families engaged and turn a movie outing into a memorable event.

Wickham hopes the film will leave a lasting impact, envisioning children and families singing its songs together for years to come, much like the enduring popularity of songs from films like Frozen. He believes the movie could strengthen families' faith for decades, offering qualities in David that viewers can aspire to – like standing up for God when others wouldn't. Director Brent Dawes echoed this sentiment, hoping people "get what they need out of it," emphasizing entertainment and inspiration over being preachy.

Example: Imagine a family, the Millers, usually debating screen time. This holiday, they attend the David sing-along. Their youngest, usually glued to a tablet, belts out a song, completely engaged and laughing. It’s a rare, shared moment of joy and connection, exactly what the filmmakers hoped for, proving the communal power of such an event.

Some might argue that a faith-based animated musical might appeal only to a niche audience. However, Angel Studios' recent track record with films like Sound of Freedom, coupled with the record-breaking pre-sales for David, suggests a broader, highly engaged audience exists beyond traditional expectations for "niche" films. This indicates significant crossover potential and strong word-of-mouth, drawing in viewers looking for quality family entertainment regardless of specific religious affiliation.

Another counterpoint could be whether an animated biblical story can truly capture the depth and complexity of the original narrative without oversimplifying it. Director Brent Dawes and his team have explicitly focused on making the film resonate personally with viewers, ensuring it’s not "preachy" but entertaining and inspiring. They aim for universal themes of courage, loyalty, and faith that transcend specific interpretations, while also providing visual spectacle comparable to major animated features, thus offering both depth and accessibility.

Angel Studios' Rapidly Expanding Universe of Inspiring Stories

David is just one highlight in Angel Studios' diverse upcoming theatrical slate. The studio, which recently went public through a SPAC merger, is clearly on a mission to bring "values-driven storytelling" to a wider audience. Their future releases include I Was a Stranger, a tale of resilience set against the Syrian Civil War, which has already been featured in over 50 film festivals worldwide. Then there's Solo Mio, a heartwarming romantic comedy starring Kevin James, Kim Coates, and Alyson Hannigan. Source: [Deadline, "Angel Studios Says Animated Musical ‘David’ Near $3 Million in Theatrical Pre-Sales", November 13, 2025]

Looking further ahead, audiences can anticipate the epic biopic Young Washington, starring Kelsey Grammer, Mary-Louise Parker, Ben Kingsley, and William Franklyn-Miller in the title role, slated for release on July 3, 2026. This impressive lineup shows Angel Studios is committed to a variety of genres, all while upholding its mission to "amplify light through values-driven storytelling."

Practical Takeaways for Watching Angel Studios' 'David'

• Mark your calendar for December 19 to catch David in theaters for its nationwide opening.
• Consider the special December 31 sing-along event for a unique, interactive family outing to extend the holiday fun.
• Check out the film's full original soundtrack, already released, to get a feel for the film's musical heart before you go.
• Prepare for an animated story designed to entertain, inspire, and spark meaningful conversations within your family about courage and faith.

Frequently Asked Questions About Angel Studios' 'David'

When does David officially release in theaters? The animated musical David will be released nationwide in theaters on December 19. What is the rating for the movie David? The film David is rated PG. Source: [Crosswalk Headlines, "Phil Wickham Believes ‘David’ Could Strengthen Families’ Faith for Decades to Come", November 11, 2025] How long is the David animated musical? The film runs for approximately an hour and 45 minutes. Source: [Crosswalk Headlines, "Phil Wickham Believes ‘David’ Could Strengthen Families’ Faith for Decades to Come", November 11, 2025] Will there be any special events for David? Yes, Angel Studios is hosting a special David Family Sing-Along event in theaters nationwide on December 31. Sources

• Deadline, "Angel Studios Says Animated Musical ‘David’ Near $3 Million in Theatrical Pre-Sales", Jill Goldsmith, November 13, 2025.
• Boxoffice Pro, "Angel Studios Says Animated Musical ‘David’ Near $3 Million in Theatrical Pre-Sales", November 13, 2025.
• Movieguide, "EXCLUSIVE: Experience ‘Shalom’ From The Upcoming DAVID Musical Epic!", November 12, 2025.
• Digital Journal, "Brent Dawes on writing and directing the animated biblical film ‘David’", Markos Papadatos, November 12, 2025.
• Crosswalk Headlines, "Phil Wickham Believes ‘David’ Could Strengthen Families’ Faith for Decades to Come", Michael Foust, Updated November 11, 2025.