Angel Studios has scored another major streaming success as David climbed to the No. 1 spot on Netflix, outperforming a mix of animated and live-action titles. The film’s sudden rise has surprised both audiences and those involved in the project, especially given the competitive lineup it surpassed.
The animated feature, which follows the biblical journey of David from shepherd to king, has now reached a wider global audience through Netflix. Its performance adds to a growing trend where faith-based films are finding renewed success on streaming platforms.
A Surprise Streaming Hit
The film’s success came as a surprise even to its cast. Phil Wickham, who voices the adult version of David, shared his reaction after discovering the news.
He said he “couldn’t believe” the film had reached the top spot, adding, “I turned Netflix on… and DAVID is the number one movie on all of Netflix right now… what an honor to be a part of this incredible film.” His reaction reflects how unexpected the achievement was, especially for a faith-based animated project.
The film managed to outperform well-known titles including Creed III and popular animated features, highlighting the scale of its success.
While the Netflix milestone may seem sudden, David had already built strong momentum during its theatrical release. The film recorded one of the biggest opening weekends for a faith-based animated movie, earning over $22 million in the United States.
Globally, the film went on to generate approximately $87.8 million at the box office, according to Box Office Mojo. This early success laid the groundwork for its streaming breakthrough, proving that the film already had a dedicated audience before arriving on Netflix.
Industry observers note that this pattern is becoming more common, where films with strong niche appeal gain a second life through streaming platforms.
Angel Studios Celebrates Another Milestone
The achievement also marks another milestone for Angel Studios, which has been steadily building a reputation for producing successful faith-based content.
Company president Jordan Harmon highlighted the significance of the moment, noting that the studio has now achieved a No. 1 ranking on multiple major platforms. He expressed optimism about the film’s longevity, suggesting it could become a lasting part of the studio’s catalog.
Wickham echoed similar sentiments in an interview with Crosswalk, stating, “I think this movie will last decades… something our grandkids watch.” This perspective reinforces the studio’s focus on creating content with long-term cultural impact.
The success of David points to a broader shift in audience preferences. Faith-based films, once considered a niche category, are increasingly gaining mainstream attention when paired with strong storytelling and high production quality.
Angel Studios has already seen similar success with previous releases, and the performance of David suggests that demand for this type of content continues to grow. The combination of compelling narratives and accessible platforms like Netflix is helping these films reach wider audiences than ever before.
At the same time, the film’s rise highlights how streaming platforms can amplify unexpected hits, turning them into global successes almost overnight.
