David Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

David Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman April 15, 2026

In short order, Angel has released two excellent animated films focusing on two of the major characters of the Bible: Jesus in The King of Kings and David in this film which bears his name. The story of David is one of the richest in scripture, but Angel's focus is primarily on the earlier parts of David's life, foregoing much of his reign and later years (including his notorious affair with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah the Hittite). Rather, David focuses on the boy's youth, including his confrontation with the Philistine giant Goliath and his flight from Israel's first king, Saul. It's certainly the more family-friendly end of the story and it makes for a fine animated film that follows in the aesthetic stylings of The King of Kings. Hopefully, its success portends more animated biblical films to follow from the emerging cinema powerhouse.

The story of David begins not with David, but with a man named Saul (voiced by Adam Michael Gold). When Israel demands to be ruled by a king, much like the other nations around them, Saul -- a man taller and more handsome than any other in the land -- is chosen to the task. But when his rule veers away from God's sovereign direction for Israel, he falls out of favor with God and the prophet Samuel (voiced by Brian Stivale) is tasked with pegging his replacement. That leads him to David (voiced by Brandon Engman and Phil Wickham), the youngest of several brothers and a shepherd by trade. David suddenly finds himself anointed to be the future king of Israel, beginning an adventure that pits him against two enemies bent on Israel's destruction: the powerful Philistines and the terrifying Amalekites. But more than any national power, it is Saul himself -- jealous of David's success in battle and the hand of God that is clearly upon him -- who just may be David's greatest foe. Saul pursues Young David, seeking to destroy him and maintain power, leaving David with little choice but to flee and lean on God along the perilous path to the throne.

Let's say up front that David is not a perfect film, and it's not perfectly faithful to the biblical narrative. The film takes a couple of liberties for dramatic purposes, it leaves out a few plot points from the biblical narrative that might have enhanced the film, and it excludes a couple of moments that might have detracted from the film's family-friendliness. Chief amongst the latter is leaving the ending of David's showdown with Goliath at the stone to the forehead rather than depicting the shepherd boy taking up the giant's sword and decapitating his enemy with it, but that's an understandable omission given the nature of and audience for the film. Those seeking a straight recount of the biblical narrative, then, might walk away disappointed, but viewers would be wise to judge the film on overall faithfulness to the biblical story, perhaps not within the exact ebbs and flows but certainly within its spirit, depicting David as a humble future king who must choose to remain faithful to God's calling and shaping of him rather than give in to fear, desires for revenge and retribution, and the like.

Even with a few liberties and alterations, though, the film stands apart for what is, overall, an excellent family-friendly depiction of David, from young boy to young man, taking time to explore his personality and position without veering away from the heart and soul of the story. Angel has not taken the material and transformed it into something that it is not and should not be, instead taking pains to remain faithful to David's faithfulness to and trust in God as the center of the story. Narrative pieces, action sets, and musical numbers all point to his reliance on God as the central story driver. The voice work really plays up that theme, too, with Christian musical artist Phil Wickham (playing the "grown" David) not just giving the character a voice but finding the voice of a young man who must contend with several external challenges while remaining faithful to his internal convictions. The score and musical numbers are terrific as well, the latter memorably catchy while also narratively significant to enhance the story and build the characters. Animation is top-rate, too, nearly as good as anything coming out today from the major animation houses.

David Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Angel Studios releases David to Blu-ray with an exquisite 1080p transfer. I simply couldn't find any faults when watching from a normal viewing distance; the image appears pristine and free of an encode issues or source maladies. The picture is wonderfully detailed, capturing the impressively complex digital animation with striking ease and first class efficiency, showing every grain of sand and dirt, every fine hair on skin, and each pinpoint detail on period clothing. Nothing escapes the 1080p resolution's notice. Colors are bold and plentiful, and more so as they stand apart from the earthy terrain that so often fills backgrounds. Each color is expressive and deep and perfectly balanced and nuanced; there's no lack of vitality to clothes, natural greens, and the like. Black levels are perfectly deep as well. This is a great presentation from Angel Studios.

David Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

As is the track record for Angel Studios Blu-ray releases, there is no lossless audio option for David. The primary track is a lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 presentation. It's disappointing that in 2026 a major film, even from a smaller studio, is releasing to home video without a lossless option, but the good news is that the 5.1 lossy track is strong for what it is. There is plenty of surround activity, obvious right from the outside when David confronts the lion attacking his sheep. There's plenty of weighty movement and musical stretch into the rears, really elevating the scene's aural impact. Clarity holds up here and for the duration; while the absence of a lossless track means that listeners aren't getting full fidelity, there's no shortage of satisfying clarity at work to every musical note, action element, and spoken word. Even the subwoofer works to impactful depth throughout the film, again beginning with that initial lion attack but extending to a number of key scenes and ambient elements throughout the movie (listen when Samuel slams his staff down at the 11:50 mark). Everything here sounds very good. Sure, lossless would be preferable, but most audiences are going to be perfectly pleased with what Angel has on offer here.

David Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of David contains a trio of supplements along with a gaggle of trailers. A DVD copy of the film is included with purchase.

• Roundtable Discussion (1080p, 49:40): Much like viewers will find on various seasons of The Chosen, here is a lengthy discussion about the film with a number of participants: Writers/Directors Brent Dawes and Phil Cunningham, Sunrise Animation Studios Founder Jaqui Cunningham, Actor Brian Stivale, and Actor Brandon Engman.
• Audio Commentary (1080p, 1:49:15): Actor Brandon Engman and Writer/Director Brent Dawes offer their thoughts on the film. Rather than the audio merely playing over the film, the participants are seen as they screen the film; the movie plays in a small widescreen box bottom-right.
• Sing-Along Version (1080p, 1:49:15): Watch the film with the musical numbers subtitled, karaoke-style.
• Trailers (1080p): In addition to a promo reel for Angel, viewers will find trailers for David, The King of Kings, The Wingfeather Saga, and A Week Away.

David Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

With the success of both The King of Kings and David, one must wonder if Angel studios will continue to explore the Bible's most compelling characters through the realm of animated film. There are opportunities aplenty: Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Peter, Paul...and the list goes on. Certainly the ability is there in terms of source excellence, obvious technical know-how, and audience reception, so it would seem to this humble reviewer that more will be coming soon. We will see. But, for now, David offers a satisfying journey through the earlier stages of David's life, delivering a film with plenty of heart, good songs, and purposeful narrative advances. It's well designed, nicely voiced, and easy to love. Angel's Blu-ray delivers excellent video, solid lossy audio, and a few extras. Recommended!