Big news from Angel Studios — their upcoming animated musical David is already turning heads, racking up nearly $6 million in advance ticket sales before its U.S. release. That figure makes it the studio’s strongest theatrical pre-sale performance to date, signaling that audiences are responding to more than just another animated epic. But here’s where it gets especially interesting: this film is also set to roll out across 43 international markets, marking Angel’s most ambitious global launch yet.
According to Jared Geesey, Executive VP and Head of International at Angel Studios, the studio is confident in the film’s universal appeal. “This is our most wide-reaching release to date, driven by incredible exhibitor enthusiasm and a message that transcends geography,” he noted. “David speaks to deeply human themes — courage, faith, and hope — values that connect families everywhere.”
The animated musical begins its international journey this December and continues through early 2027. Here’s a breakdown of the release schedule:
2025 Releases:
- Portugal (NOS Lusomundo Audiovisuais) – December 17
- Australia (Rialto Distribution) – December 18
- New Zealand (Rialto Distribution) – December 18
- Lebanon (Front Row Filmed Entertainment) – December 18
- South Africa (Empire Entertainment) – December 19
- Singapore (Shaw) – December 25
- Nigeria (FilmOne Entertainment) – December 28
- Ghana (FilmOne Entertainment) – December 28
2026 Releases:
- Brazil (Paris Filmes) – January 15
- Sri Lanka (Skyline Entertainment) – January 23
- Israel (Tulip Entertainment) – February 28
- Poland (Galapagos Films) – March 5
- Multiple Balkan territories via Blitz – March 19 (Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina)
- France (Saje Distribution) – March 22
- Latin American rollout through ROLA – March 26 (Mexico, Central and South America)
- Belgium (Neema/WW Entertainment) – March 26
- Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (Kinostar) – March 26
- Hungary (ADS Service), Netherlands (Neema/WW), and Spain (Selectavision) – April 2
2027 Release:
- Japan (Hark & Company) – January 1
In the U.S., David hits theaters on December 19. The film features voices from Phil Wickham, Brandon Engman (Bull Run), Brian Stivale (The Garden), and Miri Mesika (Meorav Yerushalmi). The directing team consists of Phil Cunningham and Brent Dawes (Jungle Beat), working from a screenplay by Dawes, Kyle Portbury (Young David), and Sam Wilson (Jungle Beat). The music is composed by Joseph Trapanese, whose credits include The Greatest Showman.
The story brings a heartfelt retelling of one of history’s most enduring tales: a shepherd boy whose faith propels him to face an unbeatable giant. From the gentle hymns of his mother's love to his confrontation with Goliath, David is framed as both a journey of personal conviction and a kingdom’s test of spirit. It explores devotion, courage, and sacrifice — not just in the fight against evil, but in choosing integrity over power.
Kelly Rogers, CEO of Rialto Distribution, described the collaboration with Angel Studios as a natural fit. “We’ve released several of their titles — Cabrini, The King of Kings, and Sketch — and watched audiences deeply connect with their messages,” Rogers told Deadline. “With David, we’re excited to share another uplifting and high-quality story with families throughout our region.”
Backing up the hype, Angel Studios recently acquired full ownership of the David film and television franchise from Slingshot USA through a partnership with 2521 Entertainment. Early indicators are strong — search traffic for David is reportedly outperforming that of The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, which shares its U.S. opening weekend. The trailer even premiered before Universal’s Wicked: For Good in theaters.
The studio, which recently became publicly traded following a SPAC merger, has several other projects on the horizon. Upcoming releases include I Was a Stranger, a drama tied to the Syrian Civil War; Solo Mio, a romantic comedy starring Kevin James, Kim Coates, and Alyson Hannigan; and Young Washington, a biopic featuring Kelsey Grammer, Mary-Louise Parker, and Ben Kingsley.
But here’s a question bound to spark conversation: Can a faith-driven musical like David truly compete head-to-head with powerhouse studio releases and mainstream animation franchises? Or could this film mark the beginning of a new wave — one where spiritually grounded stories capture mass global audiences? Drop your thoughts below — whether you’re cheering for David’s underdog triumph or skeptical about its giant ambitions, this debate’s just getting started.
