By George & Josh Bate
Coming off a 2025 that saw the disruptive force in theatrical distribution rank as the #8 distributor and release hits such as David and The King of Kings, Angel showcased various movies from their upcoming slate during CinemaCon 2026, in addition to announcing a number of unexpected titles.
Angel executive vice president and head of theatrical distribution Brandon Purdie spoke enthusiastically about using audience response to dictate what movies they produce. “There’s still an enormous demand for stories that we can experience together,” Purdie said. “The audiences know what they want.”
Keep reading for a comprehensive breakdown of every reveal, announcement, preview, and first look during the Angel Studios portion of the CinemaCon Film Showcase at CinemaCon 2026.
Animal Farm
First up for Angel was Animal Farm, the upcoming animated reimagining of George Orwell’s classic novella from director Andy Serkis.
A trailer shown to the CinemaCon crowd suggests that the film will take a number of liberties with the source material, namely through its positioning of a piglet named Lucky as a key character. Lucky’s inclusion seems to transform Animated Farm into more of a coming-of-age adventure story, albeit one that seemingly champions the allegories of Orwell’s original story.
Animal Farm hits theaters on May 1, 2026.
Angel and the Badman
Angel Studios announced a remake of the John Wayne western classic Angel and the Badman during CinemaCon 2026.
The movie will follow a feared outlaw, who staggers onto a rancher’s land expecting a quick death, not mercy. But the rancher’s daughter offers him a chance at a life beyond violence. Now, with an outlaw gang threatening his new home, he must decide what kind of man he’ll be when the world demands blood.
The film stars Zachary Levi, Neal McDonough, and Tommy Lee Jones.
Check out a debut trailer for Angel and the Badman below.
Angel and the Badman is in theaters this October.
Runner
Angel Studios charts new territory with Runner, the studio’s biggest venture into action movie territory to date.
The film stars Alan Ritchson (Reacher) as a former soldier thrown into a brutal race against time when a critical medical delivery makes him the target of a ruthless cartel. With betrayal closing in from every side, he must survive the chase and deliver his cargo before an innocent child runs out of time.
Owen Wilson (Wedding Crashers, Loki) co-stars in the movie and, alongside Ritchson, seems like he will be responsible for some fun buddy action movie antics amidst a rather high-stakes plot.
Check out a debut trailer for Runner below.
Runner is in theaters September 11, 2026.
The Brink of War
Angel Studios also announced a new political drama titled The Brink of War.
The film follows President Reagan (Jeff Daniels) as he races against time to salvage a deal with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev (Jared Harris) that could dismantle nuclear arsenals—or ignite disaster. With pressure mounting on all sides, every word spoken brings the world closer to peace… or destruction.
J.J. Simmons co-stars as George Shultz.
Check out the debut trailer for The Brink of War below.
The Brink of War is in theaters on August 14, 2026.
Drummer Boy
Also announced at CinemaCon was Drummer Boy, an action-musical from four-time Grammy-winning music group For King and Country.
The film follows two brothers as they find themselves on opposite sides of the American Revolutionary war.
Production will reportedly begin in Ireland later this month.
Hershey
Learn about the history of the iconic Hershey Company in a new biographical drama film from Angel Studios.
From director Mark Waters (Freaky Friday, Mean Girls), Hershey stars Finn Wittrock as Milton S. Hershey and Alexandra Daddario as Kitty Hershey.
Hershey is in theaters on November 26, 2026.
Zero A.D.
A new biblical epic Zero A.D. from director Alejandro Monteverde was showcased during Angel Studios’ presentation.
The film follows a young Joseph and Mary as they protect her child Jesus from a murderous King Herod.
The film stars Deva Cassel, Jamie Ward, Sam Worthington, Ben Mendelsohn, Gael Garcia Bernal.
Zero A.D. is in theaters December 19, 2026.
Young Washington
Last up for Angel Studios was Young Washington, which was described as Angel’s “most ambitious film to date.”
The “action-packed survival thriller” tells the history of a young George Washington before his presidency.
William Franklyn-Miller, the English who plays Washington, was at CinemaCon to discuss his work on the film.
“I did a bunch of prep on who he was at that age,” Franklyn-Miller described. “There were a few days when I stopped and went, ‘This is insane…. It all felt huge.’”
Angel Studios EVP Brandon Purdie concluded the presentation by stating his desire (and prediction) that Young Washington will be the highest grossing movie on July 4 (Independence Day) this year. We’ll wait and see if that’s the case, but it’s clear that Angel is taking on a new level of scale and scope with this release.
Check out the new trailer for Young Washington below.
Young Washington is in theaters on July 3, 2026.