Angel, a media and technology company, announced five new theatrical releases to its 2026 slate Thursday. The company intends to release 10 films in theaters this year, supporting exhibition partners and audiences worldwide.
The slate ranges from an action thriller starring Owen Wilson and Alan Ritchson to a Cold War drama starring Jeff Daniels as President Ronald Reagan and J.K. Simmons as Secretary of State George Shultz, to a reimagining of the John Wayne classic “Angel and the Badman” starring Tommy Lee Jones.
“CinemaCon marks an important moment for us to show where Angel is headed,” said Brandon Purdie, executive vice president and head of theatrical at Angel. “Our 2026 slate is a celebration of what makes moviegoing matter — cinematic stories designed to be experienced together on the big screen.”
“This slate demonstrates that with engaging subjects, established stars, and engrossing storytelling, Angel has gone from aspiring to achieving,” said Neal Harmon, co-founder and CEO of Angel. “This marks an exciting step forward in our mission to launch projects created with our audience, not just for them, made possible by the passion and power of our more than 2.2 million Angel Guild members.”
Angel’s recent theatrical milestones include the highest-grossing faith-based animated theatrical opening of all time with “David” and two of the top 10 highest-grossing animated domestic theatrical releases of 2025. “Solo Mio,” a romantic comedy starring Kevin James released earlier this year, became one of the highest audience-rated romantic comedies of all time. The studio also achieved the highest average domestic box office per title among all independent distributors from 2023 to 2025, and its films hold an average Rotten Tomatoes audience score of 93%.
Angel’s 2026 Theatrical Slate:
“Animal Farm” — May 1
Directed by Andy Serkis, “Animal Farm” features a voice cast including Serkis, Seth Rogen, Woody Harrelson, Glenn Close, Gaten Matarazzo, Jim Parsons, Kathleen Turner, Kieran Culkin, Steve Buscemi, Laverne Cox and Iman Vellani.
A satirical allegory tracing how a movement for equality is systematically corrupted, the film follows the pigs as they consolidate control, erase truth, crush dissent and lead the farm into a dictatorship — fulfilling George Orwell’s warning about the dangers of communism.
“Young Washington” — July 3
Timed to the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, “Young Washington” tells the story of George Washington before the American Revolution. Directed by Jon Erwin, the film stars Kelsey Grammer, Mary-Louise Parker, Ben Kingsley and William Franklyn-Miller as a young George Washington.
Before he became the father of a nation, Washington was a soldier fighting to survive. A single misstep thrusts him into a global conflict, testing his honor, loyalty and courage as alliances crumble and the frontier erupts into war.
“The Brink of War” — Aug. 14
Directed by Michael Russell Gunn, this Cold War-era drama focuses on the Reagan-Gorbachev Reykjavik Summit. The film stars Jeff Daniels, Jared Harris, J.K. Simmons and Hope Davis, along with Branka Katic, Aya Cash and Guy Burnet.
President Reagan races against time to salvage a deal with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev that could dismantle nuclear arsenals — or ignite disaster.
“There are moments in history when the world demands uncommon courage — the courage to bridge divides, to sit across the table from an enemy, and to choose a different future,” said director Gunn and producer John Logan Pierson.
“Runner” — Sept. 11
Directed by Scott Waugh, “Runner” stars Owen Wilson and Alan Ritchson in a high-stakes thriller. The film also stars Rodrigo Santoro, Leila George, Kate Box, Peta Sergeant, Geraldine Hakewill, Cecilia Toussaint and Scarlett Crabtree.
A former soldier is thrown into a race against time when a critical medical delivery makes him the target of a ruthless cartel. With betrayal closing in, he must survive the chase and deliver his cargo before an innocent child runs out of time.
“Angel and the Badman” — October 2026
Directed by Julio Quintana, this reimagining of the John Wayne classic western stars Tommy Lee Jones, Zachary Levi and Neal McDonough.
When feared outlaw Quirt Evans staggers onto a rancher’s land with a bullet in his back, the rancher’s daughter offers him a chance at life beyond violence. But with a marshal closing in and an outlaw gang threatening the ranch, Quirt must decide what kind of man he will be.
“Drummer Boy” — Nov. 6
Directed by Ben Smallbone and Joel David Smallbone and written by Richard L. Ramsey, “Drummer Boy” is a Christmas musical about two brothers on opposite sides of the American Revolutionary War. The film stars Joel David Smallbone, Lucas Leach and Beth Easdown and is produced by the four-time Grammy-winning music group For King & Country.
“Hershey” — Thanksgiving 2026
Directed by Mark Waters, “Hershey” tells the story of Milton Hershey and how he overcame early failure to build one of the world’s most iconic brands. The film stars Finn Wittrock, Alexandra Daddario, Alan Ruck, Richard Kind, David Costabile and Helene Yorke.
“Just about everyone knows the Hershey name through chocolate, but what immediately drew me to Milton’s story were the obstacles and struggles he overcame to achieve his success,” Waters said. “That spirit, embodied by the love story between Milton and Catherine Hershey, is the core of our movie.”
“Zero A.D.” — Christmas 2026
Directed by Alejandro Monteverde, “Zero A.D.” recounts the biblical story of Mary and the sacrifices she bears to save Jesus. The film stars Deva Cassel, Sam Worthington, Jim Caviezel and Ben Mendelsohn.
A ruler consumed by fear sends his armies to erase a child born under a sign of rebellion. But one woman refuses to run from destiny as the true battle begins — not for a throne, but for the soul of mankind.
