Angel Studios’ animated feature The King of Kings grossed an estimated $19 million domestically over its opening weekend of April 11-13, setting a new benchmark for the largest debut of a faith-based animated film. The performance surpasses previous genre standards, including The Prince of Egypt ($14.5M), The Star ($9.8M), and Jonah ($6.2M), according to box office data from The Numbers.
Screening in 3,200 theaters, the film earned an estimated $7.01 million on Friday, $6.8 million on Saturday, and $5.24 million on Sunday, based on Angel Studios’ projections. Its early success is fueled by strong audience approval, reflected in a 97% Rotten Tomatoes PopcornMeter score and an A+ CinemaScore—a rare accolade shared by only 128 films, with The King of Kings marking just the fifth non-Pixar/Disney animated title to achieve it.
Inspired by Charles Dickens, The King of Kings depicts a father recounting the life of Jesus to his son, transforming a bedtime story into a profound exploration of faith. Through the boy’s imagination, viewers experience Jesus’ miracles, trials, and sacrifice, emphasizing themes of hope and redemption. While critics rated the film at 63% on Rotten Tomatoes, its family-oriented narrative has clearly struck a chord with audiences.
Brandon Purdie, Angel Studios’ Global Head of Theatrical Distribution & Brand Development, credited the studio’s audience-driven approach for the film’s strong debut. “The Angel Guild picks winners,” he said, highlighting the A+ CinemaScore as evidence of unmet demand for quality family films. The broader market reinforces this, with animated titles occupying four of 2024’s top 10 box office slots and biblical stories maintaining strong appeal.
With Holy Week underway, The King of Kings is well-positioned for a sustained theatrical run, capitalizing on its timely resonance and positive word-of-mouth. The film’s record-breaking opening solidifies Angel Studios’ growing influence in delivering faith-based animation that connects deeply with viewers.
