David (2025): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
David is a 2025 animated musical directed by Phil Cunningham and Brent Dawes, starring Phil Wickham as David, Brandon Engman and Brian Stivale. It runs 1 hour 55 minutes and earned $91.1 million worldwide on a $60.9 million budget. Critics gave it 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 55m (115 min)
- Directors
- Phil Cunningham and Brent Dawes
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- 2521 Entertainment
- Budget
- $60.9M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is David About?
The premise of David without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In a kingdom plagued by fear and corruption, a humble shepherd boy is summoned to confront a fearsome giant and the looming darkness that serves it. Armed only with faith, courage and a simple sling, he challenges an oppressive empire, igniting hope and rallying a nation. His journey from the quiet hills of Bethlehem to the thunder of battle reshapes destinies, tests loyalties, and awakens the heart of a people.
David Themes & Keywords
· 5 tags- israel
- biblical
- cg animation
- king david character
- independent film
David Cast & Characters
Phil Wickham leads the cast as David, with Brandon Engman as Young David and Brian Stivale as Samuel, Crowd. Directed by Phil Cunningham and Brent Dawes; 20 actors are credited in all.
- Co-director Phil Cunningham
- Co-director Brent Dawes
- Phil Wickham as David
- Brandon Engman as Young David
- Brian Stivale as Samuel, Crowd
- Adam Michael Gold as Saul, Crowd
Also Starring in David
· 16 more- Asim Chaudhry King Achish
- Kamran Nikhad Goliath, Crowd
- Mark Jacobson Jonathan, Crowd
- Ashley Boettcher Teen Zeruiah
- Mick Wingert Zaydel, Crowd
- Mark Whitten Abishai
- Jon Olson Crowd
- Mark Silverman Crowd
- Miri Mesika Nitzevet
- Lauren Daigle Rebecca
- Reina Ozbay Crowd
- Will De Renzy-Martin Vaizatha, Crowd
- Katie Bernstein Ahinoam
- Brent Mukai Crowd
- Sloan Lucas Muldown Young Zeruiah
- Mike Ciporkin Scout
More from Phil Cunningham and Brent Dawes
More films directed by Phil Cunningham and Brent Dawes: Young David: Poet and Jungle Beat: The Movie.
David Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave David 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 85/100, strongest in rewatch factor (90) and weakest in story & flow (70).
David Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, the film presents a strongly positive experience for family audiences, driven by high production values and an emotionally resonant narrative. Reviewers consistently praise the detailed animation, uplifting music, and accessible storytelling that balances biblical content with broad appeal. While a few critics note a cartoonish visual tone and occasional pacing lapses, the dominant sentiment emphasizes enjoyment and repeatability. The net impression is that the movie succeeds in delivering a compelling, faith‑centered adventure that many viewers will want to revisit.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 80
In terms of art and craft, the film excels with detailed animation and realistic environments that reviewers highlight as visually impressive. The production design, from sprawling cityscapes to nuanced textures, receives strong commendation, though some critics describe elements as cartoonish. Overall, the direction and editing support a polished visual presentation, resulting in a solid artistic execution that leans positively on the spectrum.
- Character & Emotion 75
When it comes to character and emotion, the voice performances and emotional beats are noted as moving and effective. Reviewers mention nuanced vocal work and moments that bring viewers to tears, indicating strong resonance. A minority observe uneven humor or limited depth, but the general consensus points to a competent portrayal of key figures. Consequently, character work is assessed as moderately high in quality.
- Story & Flow 70
Regarding story and flow, the narrative covers a broad chronology with generally clear pacing that keeps younger audiences engaged. Critics note occasional rushes for more scholarly viewers and a slight slowdown in the final act, yet most audience feedback praises the coherent arc and balanced treatment of biblical events. The storyline thus earns a middle‑range rating, reflecting both its strengths and occasional pacing concerns.
- Sensory Experience 85
In the sensory experience, the soundtrack and musical numbers receive consistent acclaim for their uplifting and memorable quality. Visual style, including color palette and animation fidelity, is described as beautiful and immersive. While a few critics label aspects as cartoonish, the predominant sentiment emphasizes a rich audio‑visual blend that enhances the viewing experience, supporting a high sensory rating.
- Rewatch Factor 90
For rewatch factor, audience comments repeatedly mention a desire to see the film again, citing catchy songs and lasting emotional impact. Families report multiple viewings and ongoing discussion, indicating strong replay value. No significant criticism addresses repeatability, and the enthusiasm for future viewings elevates this aspect to the highest tier among the evaluated categories.
-
IMDb 6.8 /10
7388 votes
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 80% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 98%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 55 Metascore
User score 7.4
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 80% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.7 /5
3224 ratings
See on Letterboxd
David Plot Summary
What happens in David from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In Bethlehem, David Brandon Engman is a young musician who tends his father Jesse’s flock of sheep. After protecting the flock from an Asian lion, David is called before Prophet Samuel, who anoints him as the future King of Israel. Samuel leaves when palace guards arrive to retrieve David to play the lyre for King Saul Adam Michael Gold. David soothes Saul, who has become troubled as God has rejected him for his vices.
Full summary
The whole story of David, scene by scene
David Box Office & Budget
David grossed $91.1 million worldwide on a $60.9 million budget, 1.5 times what it cost. $80.4 million came from the US and Canada and $10.7 million (12%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$91.1M
1.5× its budget
- US & Canada
- $80.4M
- International
- $10.7M
- Budget
- $60.9M
David Trailers & Videos
25 videos: 5 trailers, 7 teasers, 5 clips, 7 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.
- Trailer David | Israel Adventure | Back to The Valley of Elah
- Trailer DAVID | "Follow The Light" | In Theaters This Christmas | Phil Wickham & Brandon Engman | Angel
- Trailer DAVID | Official Teaser | In Theaters Dec 19 | Angel
- Trailer DAVID | Official Trailer | In Theaters Christmas | Angel
How Well Do You Know David?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the young musician from Bethlehem who tends his father's flock?
David Also Known As
Also known as “Дейвід”.
- Also known as
-
- Дейвід
Seen David?
Movies Like David
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including David and Goliath, David and Goliath and David and Goliath.
David FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of David, each answered in a sentence.
How long is David?
David runs 1 hour 55 minutes (115 minutes).
When was David released?
David was released on December 19, 2025.
Who directed David?
David was directed by Phil Cunningham and Brent Dawes.
More films by Phil Cunningham Who is in the cast of David?
David stars Phil Wickham as David, Brandon Engman as Young David and Brian Stivale as Samuel, Crowd, among 20 credited actors.
How much did David make at the box office?
David grossed $91.1 million worldwide ($80.4 million domestic, $10.7 million international) on a budget of $60.9 million.
How is David rated?
David has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, 55 on Metacritic and 80% on TMDB.
Does David have a post-credit scene?
No. David has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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