Will Angel Studios’ Next Movie Experience SOUND OF FREEDOM’s Success?

Published: April 10, 2025

Theater2 — Photo by Krists Luhaers via Unsplash

By Shawn Smith

Angel Studios upcoming animated movie THE KING OF KINGS is showing promise of a strong turnout ahead of its April 11 release, pulling in over $7.8 million in pre-sales.

“THE KING OF KINGS is finding incredible support from both audiences and theaters, who are passionately seeking content that is not only richly entertaining but also deeply faith-affirming,” said Brandon Purdie, Global Head of Theatrical Distribution & Brand Development at Angel Studios, in a statement.

To add excitement for the upcoming release, Angel has announced a Kids Go Free campaign that allows up to one free kids ticket for every adult ticket purchased.

“We’re seeing the same groundswell of energy and anticipation that surrounded the lead-up to SOUND OF FREEDOM — a growing wave of grassroots momentum,” Purdie said. “Will THE KING OF KINGS ignite that same level of cultural intensity? Few films ever do. But this film is charting its own course, leaving its mark on animated storytelling and capturing the hearts of audiences.”

Angel Studios’ 2023 hit SOUND OF FREEDOM made $184 million domestically and $250 million globally, per Deadline.

THE KING OF KINGS is based on the Charles Dickens’ short story “The Life of Our Lord,” where Dickens shares the gospel story with his son Walter as they are transported back 2,000 years to walk along Jesus.

The movie is full of familiar names with Kenneth Branagh as Charles Dickens, Uma Thurman as Catherine Dickens, Pierce Brosnan as Pontius Pilate, Mark Hamill as King Herod, Forest Whitaker as Peter, Ben Kingsley as High Priest Caiaphas and Oscar Isaac as Jesus Christ.

James Arnold Taylor, who voices multiple parts such as Matthew, Phillip and Young Jesus, told Sarah Holloway that THE KING OF KINGS will appeal to believers and nonbelievers.

“Invite a friend that doesn’t know the Lord, invite a friend that’s been like, I don’t know about these Jesus movies,” Taylor said. “This one is so palatable for everybody, and it is a welcome invitation for people to understand the gospel of Jesus in a way that is not offensive, but is beautifully told, cinematic and fun.”

Writer/director Seong-Ho Jang shared while the gospel story is widely familiar to Christian and non-Christians, he says that his movie is a unique take on the life of Jesus.

“I thought it would be very interesting and unique if I was to deliver this story from the perspective of Charles Dickens,” Jang told Rama Tampubolon at WonderCon. “I thought there, it would be very meaningful and very different from the existing way of telling the story of Jesus Christ.”

When asked about any future plans for any more Bible movies, he said possibly one from the Old Testament.

“Nothing’s confirmed yet. I have a few in mind,” he said.

In the meantime, audiences can watch THE KING OF KINGS, showing at over 3,000 theaters, just in time for Easter season, starting Friday, April 11.