David (2025) — An Epic Biblical Animated Musical That Resonated with Audiences.
David (2025) is a bold animated musical adventure that retells one of the Bible’s most iconic stories — the life of David, the shepherd who rose to become king and defeated the giant Goliath with nothing more than faith and a sling. This family-friendly faith-based film was co-directed by Phil Cunningham and Brent Dawes and released by Angel Studios during the holiday season in December 2025. It became one of the year’s most talked-about animated films, especially within faith-based circles, blending engaging musical numbers, moral storytelling, and dramatic scenes inspired by the Old Testament.
How Many Cast — Who Voices the Characters
Although David is an animated movie (so the cast are voice performers rather than on-screen actors), its credited cast forms a rich ensemble that brings the story to life. Among them are:
Principal Voice Cast:
- Phil Wickham as David — the film’s main character and unforgettable hero.
- Brandon Engman as Young David — providing the voice for David in his earlier years.
- Asim Chaudhry — voice role in the ensemble (specific character not always listed in main credits).
- Mick Wingert — another voice contributor bringing depth to secondary figures.
- Will de Renzy-Martin — part of the ensemble voice cast.
- Lauren Daigle — contributing her voice and musical talent to the film.
Additional Voices:
While not always individually listed in main promotional material, other voices credited include supporting narrators and characters connected to David’s story, such as family members and adversaries.
Because this movie is animated and story-heavy, the cast list (in terms of those who actually speak or sing in the film) is around 6–10 performers with significant voiced roles, supplemented by choir and ensemble vocal work in the musical numbers.
Who Is the “Means” (Main) Character — David
Unsurprisingly, the film’s central character — or “means character” — is David, the young shepherd boy chosen by God to face Goliath and eventually become king of Israel.
In this adaptation, David is not only the physical hero who defeats a giant but also the emotional and spiritual center of the movie. We follow him from his early days tending sheep and composing songs inspired by his mother’s teachings, through his struggles with self-doubt, to his courageous confrontation with Goliath. His journey is as much about faith, loyalty, and the courage to stand for what’s right as it is about battle scenes and visual spectacle.
David’s character embodies themes of faith over fear, courage in the face of overwhelming odds, and the transformative power of trust in something greater than oneself — themes that resonate with both religious audiences and families looking for inspirational adventure.
Box Office (“Box Collection”) — How Much It Made
David performed impressively at the box office — especially for a faith-based animated musical, a category that historically hasn’t dominated mainstream charts. Some of its key commercial numbers include:
- Opening Weekend (Domestic U.S.): ~$22 million — the largest weekend ever for Angel Studios and a record-breaking start for a film of its genre.
- Domestic Gross (U.S. & Canada): Approximately $80 million.
- International Gross: Roughly $2.5 million outside North America.
- Worldwide Total: About $83 million.
These totals are notable considering the film opened against major blockbusters, including Avatar: Fire and Ash, and still secured a second-place debut at the domestic box office.
Angel Studios has previously found success with faith-based live-action films (Sound of Freedom), and here the company proved that animated biblical storytelling can also draw crowds when backed by audience engagement and community support.
The Niche — Who This Movie Is For
David occupies a distinctive niche in the 2025 film landscape. It’s especially designed to appeal to several overlapping audience segments:
Faith-Based and Religious Families
The film retells a story foundational to Jewish and Christian traditions. Its narrative emphasizes themes of spiritual courage, divine guidance and moral integrity, making it especially meaningful for audiences seeking religiously inspired entertainment.
Families and Children
Rated PG, the movie is suitable for children and families. Its musical and animated format, combined with adventure elements, positions it alongside mainstream animated features — but with a deeper moral core.
Fans of Musical and Adventure Animation
With musical sequences interwoven with narrative action, David taps into the audience that enjoys animated musicals — similar in spirit (though different in tone) to Disney or DreamWorks animated epics, but with its own unique cultural identity.
General Viewers Seeking Inspirational Storytelling
Even viewers who might not be familiar with biblical details can appreciate the universal story of an underdog hero rising against a formidable foe — a theme common in classic adventure tales.
In short, David sits at the intersection of faith-based filmmaking, family animation, musical spectacle, and inspirational storytelling — a blend that broadened its appeal beyond strictly religious viewers.
Deep Dive — Story, Themes, Style, and Impact
Plot Summary (Without Major Spoilers)
The film begins in a humble setting, focusing on David’s early life as a shepherd. Raised with songs of faith and obedience, he grows up with the belief that his destiny is linked to something greater than himself. As danger approaches the land of Israel in the form of the giant Goliath, David’s faith is tested like never before.
Unlike many animated films that focus primarily on humor or slapstick, David blends dramatic tension with musical storytelling. As Goliath terrorizes neighboring armies, David — small in stature but bold in spirit — decides to confront him, not with brute force but with courage, ingenuity, and faith in God’s promise.
The film portrays key moments from David’s journey: his rise from shepherd boy to beloved hero, the emotional complexities of leadership, the loyalty of his companions, and the internal struggle between fear and faith. These sequences are punctuated by original songs and evocative animation that reinforce both the emotional arcs and the moral lessons woven throughout the narrative.
Themes and Moral Threads
Several interlocking themes drive David’s narrative:
Faith Over Fear
At its core, the story emphasizes that true courage doesn’t come from physical strength but from belief in a higher purpose. David’s confrontation with Goliath symbolizes the triumph of faith over seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Humility and Leadership
David’s journey is also a lesson in leadership — how a humble shepherd becomes a wise thinker and a respected leader not through arrogance, but through humility and compassion.
Music as Emotional Expression
The musical elements underscore the emotional storytelling. Songs arising from David’s relationships (especially with his family and faith community) frame key moments of growth, challenge and reflection.
Loyalty and Love
The film also explores how loyalty to one’s community and love for others can empower individuals to face their greatest fears, reinforcing the idea that courage is strengthened through connection.
Artistry and Animation Style
David stands out for its detailed animation quality, which many viewers have compared to major studio productions. The visual style combines rich landscapes, expressive character designs, and vivid battle sequences, giving it cinematic weight even within animated form.
Rather than opting for purely cartoonish aesthetics, the film incorporates naturalistic textures and cinematic lighting, especially during pivotal scenes like David’s confrontation with Goliath or contemplative musical moments in pastoral settings.
Critics and audience members alike praised the animation and background art as “magnificent” and “screen-popping,” with visuals that rival many mainstream animated hits.
Critical & Audience Reception
On review platforms, David achieved solid reception from critics and strong enthusiasm from audiences:
- Rotten Tomatoes: Around 76% positive critical reviews, with praise for its animation and universal moral appeal.
- Audience Scores: Very high, with many viewers giving it top marks (98% PopcornMeter audience score), reflecting strong family and general audience support.
- CinemaScore: Polls reported solid audience grades, indicating broad satisfaction among viewers who saw it in theaters.
Critics occasionally described it as “predictable” or “preachy,” but many acknowledged the emotional and artistic strengths that elevated the film beyond simple retelling.
Impact and Legacy
David represents a notable milestone for faith-based animated storytelling:
- Animation Industry Presence: David’s performance showed that Bible-inspired animation can share space with mainstream animated franchises, particularly during holiday release windows.
- Record-Setting Box Office: It delivered one of the strongest opening weekends ever for Angel Studios, surpassing earlier animated biblical films.
- Family Appeal & Faith Engagement: The film proved that faith-based narratives could succeed in a family animation format without sacrificing artistic ambition.
- Cultural Conversations: Its commercial success — especially amid controversy and online discussion — fueled conversations about market demand for faith-centered media.
Final Thoughts
David (2025) is more than just a retelling of an ancient story — it’s a cinematic melding of faith, adventure, music and animation crafted to inspire family audiences and faith communities alike. Its success both at the box office and in audience hearts illustrates the continuing appetite for animated films that combine meaningful storytelling with artistic ambition.
Whether you’re drawn to it for its historical and biblical roots, its musical elements, or its emotional resonance, David remains one of 2025’s most unique animated features, showing that timeless stories of courage and faith can still find widespread theatrical success.
