Angel Studios has added five new films to their release schedule, and along the way they also confirmed that, yes, Zero A.D.—the Nativity movie that was going to come out last Christmas until the animated David took its spot—will be coming out this Christmas instead. (It wouldn’t really have made sense to release that film at any other time of year, would it?)
Angel made the announcement at CinemaCon yesterday. Here’s the full line-up of upcoming releases, with a few quick notes:
Animal Farm — May 1
The only animated movie on this year’s slate is this Andy Serkis-directed adaptation of George Orwell’s classic novel. The film, which premiered at an animation festival ten months ago, has already generated controversy in some circles for the changes it makes to the story and its cast.
Young Washington — July 3
The story of George Washington’s role in the Seven Years’ War, directed by Jon Erwin, co-director of Jesus Revolution and creator of House of David. One of two films about an American president on the Angel slate this year, and one of two films tied to the American Revolution.
The Brink of War — August 14
Jeff Daniels and Jared Harris star as Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, respectively, in a movie about the Reykjavik Summit in 1986.
Runner — September 11
An action thriller starring Alan Ritchson and Owen Wilson.
Angel and the Badman — October
The latest “reimagining” of the 1947 John Wayne western in which a gunfighter is nursed back to health by a pacifist Quaker and her family. This one stars Tommy Lee Jones, Zachary Levi, and Angel stalwart Neal McDonough.
Drummer Boy — November 6
A “Christmas musical about two brothers who find themselves on opposite sides of the American Revolutionary War,” directed by Joel and Ben Smallbone, the brothers behind For King + Country. It sounds like this is the film the Smallbones were going to produce with Kingdom Story back when that company was created in 2019.
Hershey — American Thanksgiving
The story of Milton Hershey, a man who made a fortune creating a famous brand of chocolate and then left all his money to the community. Directed by Mark Waters (Freaky Friday, Mean Girls, The Spiderwick Chronicles).
Zero A.D. — Christmas
Originally slated for last December, this movie about the birth of Jesus—and Herod’s attempt to kill him—is now coming out this December.
Angel (and Hershey’s!) have released trailers for all of these films except for Drummer Boy. Here are the most recent teasers and trailers for each one:
I previously wrote about the trailer below last August:
I have no idea how much time I’ll have to cover these films—and, as a Canadian whose father was British, I suspect my take on the American-Revolution movies might be a little different from the intended audience’s—but I’m definitely keen to see Zero A.D., at least (even if I still have quibbles about the title).
Also, I just learned from Milton Hershey’s Wikipedia page that he was a Mennonite by birth! But from a very different branch of the Mennonite diaspora than my mother and her relatives. Still, I wonder if the movie will get into that part of his story at all…? (Also, I can’t help but note that the guy who plays him, Finn Wittrock, previously played the young Tubal-Cain in Darren Aronofsky’s Noah. It all connects, I tell you… it all connects…)
More later, maybe.
Upcoming Bible movies and TV shows
spring 2026 — The Old Stories: Moses (streaming: Wonder Project)
October 2, 2026 — The Flood: End of Mankind (theatrical)
November 15-December 6, 2026 — The Chosen: Season 6: Episodes 1-6 (streaming: Prime Video)
Christmas 2026 — Zero A.D. (theatrical: Angel Studios)
sometime in 2026 — Daniel: The Fiery Furnace (theatrical: Unveil Studios)
March 12, 2027 — The Chosen: Season 6: Finale (theatrical: Amazon MGM)
March 26, 2027 — The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One (theatrical: Lionsgate)
May 6, 2027 — The Resurrection of the Christ: Part Two (theatrical: Lionsgate)
first half of 2027 — Joseph of Egypt (streaming: Prime Video)
sometime in 2027 — Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints: Season 2 part 2 (streaming: Fox Nation)
March 31, 2028 — The Chosen: Season 7: Premiere (theatrical: Amazon MGM)
no release date specified — Jacob (theatrical: Angel Studios)
no release date specified — Job (theatrical)
no release date specified — The Promised Land: Season 2 (streaming)
who knows when Malick will finish it — The Way of the Wind (theatrical)