South African animated film ‘David’ smashes box office expectations

A South African-produced animated film has delivered one of the country’s biggest cinema success stories, raking in more than $70 million (about R1.3 billion) at the global box office.

The animated feature David opened in second place internationally, just behind the latest Avatar sequel — an extraordinary achievement for a film developed and produced out of South Africa.

Cape Town-based filmmaker Phil Cunningham says the response has exceeded expectations, calling it a milestone moment for local filmmaking.

A story that was decades in the making

Cunningham says the idea for the film began nearly 30 years ago, long before production officially started.

“The vision started about 30 years ago,” he says. “Actual production took about 10 years, but the story has been with me most of my life.”

He describes the film as a deeply personal project, inspired by a lifelong love of storytelling and the enduring power of the biblical narrative.

Beyond faith and animation

While David is a faith-based story, Cunningham stresses that the film was made to appeal to a far wider audience.

“It doesn’t matter whether you come from a faith-based background or not,” he says. “David is one of humanity’s most inspiring characters — flawed, human, but someone who lived with courage.”

He added that animation allowed the story to transcend age, culture and background. “Whether you’re four or 94, you can enjoy the movie.”

A massive collaborative effort

The production brought together more than 400 artists from 32 countries — a scale rarely seen in South African cinema.

“There were many failures and setbacks,” Cunningham says. “At times it felt impossible, but it was never an individual effort. It was a team carrying each other through.”

That collaborative approach, he said, was key to sustaining momentum through years of uncertainty.

Rooted in history and authenticity

To ensure the story was treated with care, the filmmakers undertook extensive research, including multiple trips to Israel and consultations with theologians, archaeologists and religious scholars.

“This is a cornerstone story for billions of people,” Cunningham says. “We wanted it to be entertaining, but also authentic and respectful.”

What the success could mean for local film

Cunningham hopes the film’s performance will help shift perceptions about what South African filmmakers can achieve.

“There is incredible talent in South Africa,” he says. “This shows we can compete on a global stage.”

The film is currently screening in South African and US cinemas and is expected to roll out to other international markets in the coming months, with streaming talks also underway.

Looking ahead, Cunningham reveals that his next major project is set to draw inspiration directly from Africa — a fantasy world rooted in African landscapes, creatures and mythology.

“For too long, epic fantasy has been castles and dragons,” he said. “Africa has its own magic, and that’s a story worth telling.”

For more information, listen to Cunningham using the audio player below: