At CinemaCon, Angel Studios, the powerhouse behind the $250 million sensation “Sound Of Freedom,” made a bold declaration: their forthcoming animated feature “David” is poised to rewrite box office history. Chief Marketing Officer Alex Nielsen, speaking at the Utah-based company’s first CinemaCon presentation, predicted that “David” would ascend to the throne of animated films, buoyed by the fervent support of fans engaging in the studio’s Pay It Forward initiative.
The strategy, which saw nearly two million viewers flocking to “Sound Of Freedom” through donated ticket costs, has fueled Angel Studios’ ambition for “David.” Nielsen’s proclamation, made amidst murmurs of anticipation from the audience at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, sets the stage for a potential landmark in cinematic success.
Currently, the record for the highest-grossing animated musical belongs to 2019’s “The Lion King,” raking in $543.6 million in North America and a staggering $1.7 billion worldwide. However, Angel Studios aims to dethrone this titan when “David” hits theaters in late November 2025, just in time for Thanksgiving.
Angel Studios’ 2024 lineup showcases a diverse array of cinematic offerings. From the drama “Sight,” starring Terry Chen and Greg Kinnear, slated for release on May 24, to the adoption drama “Possum Trot,” with Letitia Wright as executive producer, arriving on July 4, the studio promises a year of compelling storytelling. Additionally, audiences can anticipate “Bonhoeffer,” delving into the life of German pastor and anti-Nazi dissident Dietrich Bonhoeffer, on November 22, and the post-apocalyptic survival drama “Homestead,” featuring Neil McDonough, premiering on December 25.
The meteoric rise of Angel Studios cannot be overstated. Ranked eighth among all Hollywood studios and distributors in 2023 with a 2.45% market share, the studio’s ascent is all the more remarkable considering its absence from theatrical releases just one year prior. With “David,” Angel Studios aims not just for success but for cinematic immortality.
