David outperforms SpongeBob and new feminist Sydney Sweeney movie at the box office

This pre-holiday weekend brought a wave of new releases to theaters, and while blockbuster franchises dominated, the faith-based film “David” earned $22 million at the domestic box office.

Topping the weekend was James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire & Ash, the third installment in the iconic Avatar series, which pulled in $88 million domestically and a staggering $345 million worldwide. Despite the massive success of Cameron’s sci-fi epic, “David” secured the second-place spot, outperforming other notable releases.

The movie is the second animated hit for Angel Studios this year, following “The King of Kings,” which brought in $60.2 million in April. This recent debut was the largest in the distributor’s history, beating “The Sound of Freedom,” which was released in 2023.

David also surpassed the latest releases from mainstream Hollywood stars, including Sydney Sweeney’s feminist offering “The Housemaid” and the new SpongeBob movie, both of which fell behind in ticket sales.

The film tells the Old Testament story of King David, exploring his journey from shepherd boy to the King of Israel. The summary for the film reads, “From the songs of his mother’s heart to the whispers of a faithful God, David’s story begins in quiet devotion. When the giant Goliath rises to terrorize a nation, a young shepherd armed with only a sling, a few stones, and unshakable faith steps forward.

“Pursued by power and driven by purpose, his journey tests the limits of loyalty, love, and courage — culminating in a battle not just for a crown, but for the soul of a kingdom.”

According to Forbes, Brandon Purdie, Angel’s theatrical head, speculated that the movie’s success comes as families search for “values-driven films” that “honor hope.”

“We greatly value the support of our outstanding exhibitors and look forward to a robust, extended theatrical run as this popular animated musical continues to warm hearts and inspire families this Christmas,” he said.