Parents' Guide to David

This captivatingly heartfelt and deeply moving tale is a giant triumph of an animated film. There's a fine line between biblical accuracy and entertainment liberty; David is winning and memorable representation of both. As viewers follow David's journey from shepherd boy to king, he's shown to be more than a hero: He's a flawed human being, just like everyone else. He worries. He struggles. He makes mistakes and loses his place in the world. Leaning into the character's shepherd roots, the storytelling flows earnestly and more deeply than expected as David learns not only to lead his sheep and protect his people. but also to embrace his own sheep-like qualities.

Thanks to beautiful animation, playful humor, and poetic songs, David comes to life in a way that feels very real—and also potentially very relatable to the "giants" that kids face today—without being overly preachy (though Christian music fans will appreciate Phil Wickham and Lauren Daigle's singing throughout). And he's whether on top of the world or in the darkest valley, David humbly reminds viewers to be steadfast and hold tight to what they believe in. Portraying the character known as the "man after God's own heart" on the big screen might feel like a daunting task. But this musical not only captures the heart but also the soul of who David in a film that deserves a place right next to The Prince of Egypt in the rankings of animated Bible tales. See it for the kids, but enjoy it for your own heartstring pulls.