South Africans are celebrating a major cultural milestone after a locally animated film shattered international box office records, proving that South Africa’s animation industry can compete confidently on the global stage.
The achievement gained renewed attention after popular local platform Cool Story Bru posted a reaction video on 1 January 2026, praising the historic success of David, an animated feature produced by Sunrise Animation Studios, headquartered in Noordhoek, Cape Town.
Released in late 2025, David has already rewritten industry expectations.
Record-breaking opening weekend
In its opening weekend alone, David earned approximately R407 million at the box office in the United States and Canada, making it the highest-grossing faith-based animated theatrical release of all time.
The film’s performance placed it second at the North American box office, opening just behind Avatar: Fire and Ash, a result that surprised industry analysts and cemented its status as a global success.
For a project animated entirely in South Africa, the numbers represent more than commercial success — they signal a turning point for local creative industries.
A South African story told on a global scale
David brings the Old Testament story of the biblical figure to the big screen through high-quality animation developed locally, challenging long-held assumptions about where world-class animation can come from.
The film was led by South African filmmakers Phil Cunningham and Brent Dawes, who transformed a familiar biblical narrative into a visually rich cinematic experience.
While faith-based films have historically found strong international audiences, few — particularly from African studios — have achieved success at this scale.
In doing so, David surpassed benchmarks previously associated with global productions such as The Prince of Egypt and The King of Kings, reshaping expectations for African-made animation.
Quiet growth meets global recognition
The success of David arrives at a time when South Africa’s film and animation industry is steadily growing, often under difficult conditions.
Local studios frequently face limited funding, infrastructure challenges and barriers to international distribution. Despite these obstacles, Sunrise Animation Studios delivered a production that stood shoulder to shoulder with established global players.
Industry observers have noted that the film’s strong North American performance positions South Africa as a serious contender in the high-end animation market, rather than a peripheral outsourcing destination.
National pride and global momentum
Cool Story Bru’s reaction video helped amplify national pride, with social media users rallying around the phrase “no DNA, just RSA” to celebrate the fact that the animation was produced locally.
With global releases scheduled for 2026, the success of David is widely seen as more than a once-off victory. Instead, it signals long-term potential for South African animation studios to secure international audiences, funding and recognition.
For an industry often overlooked, David has delivered a powerful message: South African animation is not catching up — it has arrived.
