Angel Studios' Animated Musical 'David' Achieves Record-Breaking Debut Amidst Fierce Box Office Competition

The faith-based animated musical, 'David,' released by Angel Studios, has made a significant splash at the box office. Initial estimates suggest the film grossed a remarkable 22 million dollars during its opening weekend, which commenced on December 19, 2025. This performance marks the largest theatrical launch in the history of Angel Studios. Furthermore, it sets a new benchmark as the highest-grossing opening for any religious-themed animated feature, surpassing the studio’s previous record held by 'King of Kings' earlier that same year.

The feature film, which continues the narrative established in the 'Young David' miniseries, was rolled out across 3,118 theaters in North America. Phil Wickham lends his voice to the character of the adult David. Despite entering the market during a period saturated with major studio blockbusters, 'David' secured a strong second-place finish in daily ticket sales. It trailed only the science-fiction spectacle, 'Avatar: Fire and Ash,' which commanded 89 million dollars domestically during its own inaugural weekend.

In the competitive landscape, the animated comedy 'SpongeBob in 3D: Patrick's Quest,' distributed by Paramount Pictures, claimed the fourth spot, bringing in 16 million dollars over the same three-day period. This context highlights the impressive traction 'David' managed to gain against established mainstream offerings.

Audience reception has been overwhelmingly positive, confirming the film's strong connection with its target demographic. The movie earned an 'A' grade on the CinemaScore scale and boasts a 98-percent audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. These high scores clearly indicate widespread endorsement, particularly among family audiences seeking content aligned with strong values. According to studio figures, 'David' also outperformed the 2023 release, 'Sound of Freedom,' which initially earned 19.6 million dollars in its first three days. By the conclusion of the Christmas week, the film’s cumulative domestic earnings had climbed to 32.4 million dollars.

Angel Studios, operating as a media and technology entity supported by its 1.6 million members within the Angel Guild, announced that it has secured the rights to the entire 'David' franchise. This acquisition includes the associated five-part animated television series, executed in partnership with 2521 Entertainment. The international rollout is scheduled to commence this week, targeting release in over 42 countries worldwide.

The cinematic success of 'David' serves as a powerful indicator of the escalating demand for family-oriented entertainment infused with meaningful themes. It effectively demonstrates that niche projects, when executed well, possess the capability to compete robustly within the mainstream entertainment sphere.