David

David (2025) is an animated musical adventure from Angel Studios. It was directed by Brent Dawes and Phil Cunningham, and it draws on the Book of Samuel. It is a South Africa–US production made at Sunrise Animation Studios, and it follows up the 2023 miniseries Young David. It opens with a young shepherd who risks his life to protect his flock from a lion. The prophet Samuel then tells him he is destined to be Israel's next king.

That secret draws David into the court of King Saul, whom God has rejected. David soothes Saul with music while the Philistine army gathers in the Valley of Elah. The film follows him from the pastures to the battlefield. Songs carry much of the emotion, and Christian singer-songwriter Phil Wickham voices the grown David.

The story is a classic hero's journey. It covers the rise of an unlikely champion, the jealousy of a failing ruler, and the question of what real power is. It stays close to scripture and is aimed at families.

The film argues that true power lies in faith, humility and trust in God, not in the crown, armor or force. David is chosen because of his heart. He shows it by refusing to take the throne by violence and by sparing Saul when he could kill him. Wikipedia's summary of the film's premise says the same: real power lies in faith and freedom, not in kingship.

Some viewers read the film as a straightforward devotional retelling. Others read it as a political story about legitimate authority, covering a ruler's paranoia, the refusal to take power by force, and the divide between the state and the faithful. The film's choice to cover only the early part of David's life, with no Bathsheba episode, can also be read as an idealized view of him.

David arrived as a Christmas-season release from Angel Studios, which has been building a faith-based animated line. According to Wikipedia, it grossed roughly $90 million against a $60.9 million budget. Wikipedia also reports that it reached the top of Netflix's US film chart soon after it was added. It is the studio's second feature-length animated film. Rotten Tomatoes' consensus praised its predictability offset by gorgeous backgrounds, and about 80% of critics were positive. Some critics were less kind. Variety called it handsome but generic.

Reviewers praised the lush animation, the likeable hero, the songs and Phil Wickham's performance. One said it was the best film Angel Studios had made. Critics found the story predictable and the characters thin. Variety said the 110-minute film was indifferently paced and might test younger children. It also found David dull and the dialogue humorless. CGMagazine rated it 7 and noted it is aimed squarely at a Christian audience. Rotten Tomatoes reports about 80% positive reviews.