Once upon a time, there were a series of epic films based on the stories contained in Scriptures. While we don’t get a lot of those stories on the big screen now, it’s still a source of inspiration for plenty of content. The filmmakers behind David, a new animated film that opens on December 19, understand that appeal.

The film is a big, animated production. It follows the life of David from the Bible through his younger years and into the adult years that saw him become King of Israel. It packs in a great animated style and rousing musical numbers to provide a holiday season treat for moviegoers.

The film picks up with young David (Brandon Engman) a simple shepherd caring for his flock. All that changes with the Prophet Samuel (Brian Stivale) visits his family home. God has told Samuel to anoint a new king, that will come from the House of Jesse. And despite being the youngest, David is the chosen one.

It isn’t long before a newly anointed David is called before King Saul (Adam Michael Gold). A talented musician, David uses his skills to soothe King Saul. He later uses his skills, and faith, to stand tall for Israel and face down the giant Goliath (Kamran Nikhad). He earns a reputation and becomes a key figure in the Kingdom.

But as David (Phil Wickham) reaches adulthood, his relationship with Saul fractures. Despite a deep friendship with Saul’s son, Jonathan (Mark Jacobson), he’s forced to go on the run. David—and the prophecy regarding him becoming King—makes him a target of an increasingly angry and paranoid King Saul.

If you’ve grown up in the church, you’re well versed in the story of David. It takes up a big swath of the Old Testament, and it’s a big story with marquee moments. This new film captures those moments, but also does plenty to capture the bulk of David’s story.

Even if you’re not familiar with the Biblical narrative, you’ve likely heard of David and Goliath. The film does a great job of capturing that moment, but also builds on that and does so much more to capture David’s story.

Engman brings a lot of joy and life to the first half of the film as David. The musical numbers and performance are captivating. He previously played the role in the Young David mini-series, and you can feel the passion and commitment to bringing the role to life. It’s also a fairly seamless handoff to Wickham in the second half of the film. And no matter who plays the key role, the film moves at a good pace, buoyed by a strong animated style and some great musical numbers.

Directors Phil Cunningham and Brent Dawes do a nice job telling the story. It moves at a good pace, capturing the key moments with some captivating animation. The musical numbers will have you singing along, too. It’s great fun for the whole family and one of the better animated films I’ve seen in 2025.

If you’re a fan of the story, or just a fan of a good screen story, David is worth seeking out. It opens in theaters nationwide on Friday, December 19.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.