David
The brief
This animated retelling of the David and Goliath story feels like VeggieTales grew up and got a serious budget, trading cartoon vegetables for genuinely beautiful hand-drawn animation that brings ancient Israel to vivid life. Phil Wickham's voice work as David carries real emotional weight, especially in the quieter moments where the young shepherd grapples with his calling before the famous sling ever comes out. The pacing builds deliberately from pastoral scenes to epic confrontation, but never loses sight of the spiritual core that drives the whole thing. Perfect for families who want biblical stories with actual artistic ambition, or anyone who misses when animated films weren't afraid to tackle weighty themes.
The verdict
If you appreciate hand-drawn animation with spiritual depth and don't mind biblical storytelling that takes its time building character over spectacle, this is a genuinely beautiful film that elevates familiar source material. If you're expecting Pixar-level pacing or prefer your animated movies to avoid religious themes entirely, the deliberate buildup and faith-centered narrative will likely test your patience.
Watch with
- 👨👩👧👦 Perfect for families seeking meaningful animation
- 👥 Great for faith-based movie nights
- ⚠️ May not engage secular audiences
Heads up
- Biblical violence in battle sequences (moderate)
- Giant monster may frighten young children (brief)
Credits
- Director
- Phil Cunningham
- Cast
- Phil Wickham, Brandon Engman, Asim Chaudhry, Mick Wingert, Mark Whitten, Ashley Boettcher, Sloan Lucas Muldown
Official synopsis
From the songs of his mother’s heart to the whispers of a faithful God, David’s story begins in quiet devotion.
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with The Giant Falls (2026)
Perfect thematic echo exploring David and Goliath from different perspectives.
Total runtime: 1h 49m + 1h 40m = 3h 29m
