David (David) is a 2025 South African-American animated family adventure film directed by Phil Cunningham and Brent Dawes from a screenplay by Brent Dawes, Kyle Portbury, and Sam Wilson. The film is set to be released in the United States on December 19, 2025.
David is an animated musical adventure film based on the biblical account from the Book of Samuel about the future King David—a story that combines moral themes, music, and visually rich animation.
The film tells the story of David, a young shepherd boy from Bethlehem who is called to become the next king of Israel. At first, he leads a quiet, family life, tending to his flock and incorporating music and poetry into his daily life. His life is turned upside down when the prophet Samuel anoints him as a future leader, despite his modesty and insecurity.
The climax comes when the giant Goliath, the Philistine champion, begins to terrorize Israel. The warrior is not invincible - David, armed only with a flint and a few stones, decides to face him. This battle is not just a matter of physical strength, but of faith, courage and trust in something higher, which changes the fate of the people and David himself.
The film also follows the relationship between David and King Saul, who becomes paranoid and jealous due to the young man's growing fame, as well as his friendship with Jonathan, Saul's son.
The animation in David is impressive and detailed, reminiscent in quality of the big studios like Disney or DreamWorks, but with its own visual language. The film includes musical numbers that build on the emotional landscape of the story and give the character a melodic depth that reflects his musical soul. The directors manage to balance between adventurous spirit, spiritual themes and family drama, making the film accessible to both children and older viewers.
David was released in theaters on December 19, 2025 in the United States by Angel Studios and quickly attracted the attention of family audiences and critics, receiving positive reviews for its visual style and musical elements. The film grossed approximately $83 million at the box office, a significant success for an independent animated film with a biblical theme. Critics praised the production for its vibrant animation and beautiful sets, although some noted that the religious elements could have been more pronounced in the context of the musical tone.
David is a sensual, adventure-filled animated film that reimagines the classic biblical tale of a young man who faces gigantic challenges through faith, talent and courage. The combination of quality animation, musical numbers and human themes makes the film suitable for family audiences and for all those looking for an inspiring story with universal messages of courage, nobility and strength of spirit.
