Review: With David, Angel Studios Shares a Solid Family Movie Without Watering Down Christian Message

redstate.com

Any parents looking to take their kiddos to the movie theaters to see the traditional family fare many of us grew up on between the Christmas season and New Year's might have thought there was little to rejoice over this time around. I'm talking about families hoping to involve themselves in a Christian-centered story, something that keeps kids and adults alike entertained the entire film's run time.

I have good news for you all, as a matter of fact. I recently went to see the new animated family movie, David, which Angel Studios decided to distribute back in the fall. Stick around, and I promise to tell you all what I thought of David.

That distribution company's name should sound familiar to readers; it's the same studio that distributed the anti human trafficking movie, Sound of Freedom, which blew away Hollywood with its box office records during the summer of 2023. Earlier in 2025, RedState also wrote about another inspirational film they fostered, director Neal McDonough's The Last Rodeo.

READ MORE: Surprise Movie Hit 'Sound of Freedom' Leaves the Left Freaking out About QAnon

Neal McDonough Opens Up About ‘Brutal’ Life Struggles As Inspiration Behind Film for ‘Forgotten’ America

Let's dive in. David's story is told chronologically, beginning with him spending his childhood as a shepherd boy, and rising to the kingship of the Israelites, as the Prophet Samuel foretold in the Old Testament. But the boy whom God chose to lead his chosen people has some life lessons to learn before he can (quite literally) take up that mantle. First of all, there's already a king, of course. In David, King Saul has become embittered and, frankly, depressed after hearing the prophesy about God's favor falling on someone else. He also has the looming war against the Philistines and their (equally prideful) leader, King Achish. 

Enter David, brought into Saul’s court to soothe the king’s anxieties with his deft lyre-playing, though the tyke soon proves an unexpected military asset.

And who is the champion set to defeat Israel's pick like a one-man wrecking crew? Goliath. In the scene the audience anticipates between the giant and meek and mild David, no doubt is left in our minds that God was the one smiting the arrogant Philistines. 

Woven throughout the movie, and as David grows into a young man, are catchy and enjoyable songs about faith in God when things seem the darkest. As Christians know, David and his family find themselves in peril once Saul learns he isn't just a wonderful musician and singer (with a wicked way with a sling). He's the next king. There is also a bit of scary imagery towards the end of the film that might be too much for really little ones, when the family is kidnapped by a morbidly masked, mutual enemy group of Israel and the Philistines. Of course, we all know how the story works out.

One thing that could help you decide if this movie is right for you (and/or your family) is to mention what some reviewers have said, that it calls to mind the late '90s animated DreamWorks offering, The Prince of Egypt, about Moses's life. Its beautiful, dazzling animation is on par with it, and with films by Pixar.

And as my colleague Brandon Morse wrote, it's proven to be a box office win for the filmmakers and Angel, with bountiful receipts for its opening weekend ahead of Christmas, starting on Dec. 19.

READ: Bible Film 'David' Making Box Office Bank, but Rumors Say Disney Is Trying to Bully It Into Silence

The National Film Registry Just Added 25 New Movies...and You Can Help With 2025's Choices

There is a massive social media mastodon in the room about Angel Studios, so I might as well mention it here before moving on. There was a recent announcement that the company is involved in the Seth Rogan-starring Animal Farm, which it is set to release in 2026. The teaser clip of it seems...not very true to George Orwell's themes in his book. I don't know much about the particulars on the film, but I can tell you that David is biblical all throughout the movie. God is the reason everything happens here, and the message of the Bible is not watered down to cater to any progressive sensibilities. God is sovereign, as David and those he cares about (mainly his family) move through hardships and trials before emerging on the other side intact.

OK, now why has David been able to debut in the top bunch of movies? I will venture a few educated guesses. The most important one is that it's a good movie. Only the littlest of kids will find its nearly two-hour run time (110 minutes) tough to sit still for.

But we can dive in a little deeper, and consider that David was largely funded by partners of the studio; what they call The Guild—and they got conservative/Christian influencers on board early. Very much like their Sound of Freedom. In this case, just days after Angel picked up the movie's distribution in Oct., the marketing started. Someone's smart. 

As Brandon showed in his column linked above, Riley Gaines, among others, were brought on board for the marketing push. And with a good movie to promote, the project is nearly unstoppable. Just like a shepherd boy with a single stone, with the help of God, who once changed history. 

Watch the trailer:

 

May God continue to bless you and your families with the only gift that matters this Christmas, readers!

Updated [7:54 PM ET]: Oops, I meant to include this endorsement of the David movie by someone many of you will recognize, SNL alum-comedian-actor Rob Schneider. He's awesome! 

[Editor's Note: This articlee was edited for clarity post-publication.]