A Giant-Sized Opening: Angel’s “DAVID” Smashes Box Office Records with Historic $22 Million Debut

In an industry-defining weekend, Angel Studios (NYSE: ANGX) has achieved a monumental victory with the theatrical release of its animated musical DAVID. Guided by its 1.6 million-strong grassroots Angel Guild, the company estimates the film will gross approximately $22 million in its domestic opening, marking the best three-day launch in Angel’s history and surpassing the formidable benchmark set by Sound of Freedom. This success firmly establishes DAVID as the highest-grossing faith-based animated theatrical opening of all time, eclipsing Angel’s own previous record-holder, The King of Kings. With this triumph, Angel now claims two of the top ten highest-grossing animated domestic releases of 2025, solidifying its unique and powerful position at the intersection of values-driven storytelling and commercial success.

The film’s resonance with audiences is underscored by exceptional scores, including an “A” CinemaScore and a 98% Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score, validating the company’s community-led model. Brandon Purdie, Head of Theatrical at Angel, attributed the success to families’ search for hopeful content and the early embrace from the Angel Guild. This debut is just the beginning for DAVID as a key strategic franchise for Angel, which acquired the property alongside a five-part series earlier this year. As the film expands into over 42 international markets, it carries a timeless story of faith and courage, reimagined into what co-creator David L. Hunt calls an “epic family musical” destined to create lasting memories and affirm the potent demand for inspirational cinema.

DAVID: Opening Weekend Box Office Estimate

• Theater count: 3,118
• Estimated opening weekend: $22 million

DAVID: Audience Score

• CinemaScore: A
• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 98% 

  DAVID: International Theatrical Release Dates

• Portugal – December 17, 2025
• South Africa – December 19, 2025
• Singapore – December 25, 2025
• Nigeria – December 26, 2025
• Ghana – December 26, 2025
• Brazil – January 15, 2026
• Australia – January 15, 2025
• New Zealand – January 15, 2025
• Sri Lanka – January 23, 2026
• Israel – February 28, 2026
• Poland – March 5, 2026
• Croatia – March 19, 2026
• Serbia – March 19, 2026
• Slovenia – March 19, 2026
• Bulgaria – March 19, 2026
• North Macedonia – March 19, 2026
• Montenegro – March 19, 2026
• Bosnia/Herzegovina – March 19, 2026
• France – March 22, 2026
• Mexico – March 26, 2026
• Guatemala – March 26, 2026
• El Salvador – March 26, 2026
• Honduras – March 26, 2026
• Nicaragua – March 26, 2026
• Costa Rica – March 26, 2026
• Panama – March 26, 2026
• Ecuador – March 26, 2026
• Peru – March 26, 2026
• Bolivia – March 26, 2026
• Paraguay – March 26, 2026
• Uruguay – March 26, 2026
• Chile – March 26, 2026
• Argentina – March 26, 2026
• Colombia – March 26, 2026
• Germany – March 26, 2026
• Netherlands – March 26, 2026
• Belgium – March 26, 2026
• Austria – March 26, 2026
• Switzerland – March 26, 2026
• Hungary – April 2, 2026
• Spain – April 2, 2026
• Japan – January 1, 2027