Neal McDonough, along with his wife Ruvé, has secured a significant first-look agreement between their production company, The McDonough Company, and Angel Studios. This deal, announced recently, covers three upcoming films and highlights their shared commitment to faith-based, family-oriented content. The partnership aims to bring uplifting stories to audiences through a platform that aligns with their values and vision.
The Partnership’s Core Mission and Creative Collaboration
The McDonough Company has long focused on producing movies that emphasize family, faith, and celebrating freedom. Neal McDonough explained that working with Angel Studios was a natural fit in this pursuit.
“The McDonough Company is focused on family, faith, and celebrating freedom,”
McDonough stated in a press release.
“Partnering with a company that aligns with our passion for sharing positive, powerful stories is a dream come true for Ruvé and me, and Angel continues to be a perfect match.”
This alliance grants Angel Studios right of first refusal on several projects now in development at The McDonough Company. Among these is a highly anticipated film reuniting McDonough with longtime collaborators Jon Avnet and Mykelti Williamson, known for their compelling and character-driven storytelling approach. According to the announcement, Angel Studios will evaluate these projects first before others have access, strengthening the studio’s faith-based film lineup.
David Fischer, Head of Acquisitions at Angel Studios, expressed enthusiasm about the value this partnership brings.
“Ruvé and Neal lead with integrity, purpose, and a deep commitment to stories that uplift and inspire. This agreement reflects shared values with our Angel Guild and a shared vision for the impact great films have on global audiences,”
Fischer said. This recognition highlights the mutual dedication between the parties to produce content that resonates with viewers seeking meaningful narratives.
Neal McDonough’s Advocacy for Faith-Based Entertainment
Neal McDonough has been a vocal advocate for increasing wholesome and faith-centered stories within Hollywood’s mainstream offerings. In a 2024 interview with Glenn Beck, he addressed the necessity of films that deeply explore themes of faith and family.
“There is definitely a need for films that talk about faith — talk about family, talk about the what-ifs of life,”
McDonough said. He encouraged audiences to actively support such films by purchasing tickets, stressing that
“Going out and buying tickets to films like this — that’s the message you’re directly sending to Los Angeles.”
He further commended several creators and companies who are courageous enough to tell these important stories, stating,
“Whether it’s Angel Studios, whether it’s the amazing Erwin Brothers, whether it’s Dallas Jenkins, whether it’s the Kendricks, whoever it is who’s going out on a limb and telling stories of faith so the whole family can go to a theater.”
These comments underline McDonough’s dedication to making faith-based films accessible to wider audiences and his hope that industry players will respond to this demand.
Previous Collaborations with Angel Studios
Neal McDonough’s relationship with Angel Studios is not new. He previously appeared in several of their productions, including THE SHIFT, HOMESTEAD, and THE LAST RODEO. These films received positive recognition, notably from Movieguide®, which awarded THE LAST RODEO a +2 content score. Their review highlighted the film as
“a powerful, exciting movie with wonderful acting and powerful reconciliations as well as many wonderful, heartfelt scenes of reconciliation and miraculous overcoming.”
Importantly, THE LAST RODEO prominently features a Christian, biblical worldview. The review notes that the movie
“has multiple references to God the Father, with characters talking about Him openly”
and includes
“multiple instances of reading the Bible and accepting God’s grace.”
This previous success serves as a benchmark for the new projects anticipated from this partnership, reinforcing the potential for impactful faith-based storytelling.
The Broader Impact of Faith-Focused Filmmaking Collaborations
Collaborations like the one between The McDonough Company and Angel Studios are important reminders of the potential for faith-oriented companies to reshape Hollywood’s offerings. By uniting around family-friendly and uplifting narratives, they challenge prevailing norms and provide alternative entertainment for audiences craving moral and spiritual depth in media.
These efforts resonate deeply with many viewers. As Colossians 3:23-24 advises,
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
This verse summarizes the devotion guiding both Angel Studios and the McDonoughs in their creative endeavors.
The significance of this partnership lies not only in the films it will produce but also in the example it sets for Hollywood. It demonstrates that there is a growing market and cultural desire for entertainment that elevates faith and family values. As these companies bring new productions to fruition, the industry is watching closely to see how the demand for positive, meaningful content will influence filmmaking and distribution trends.
Looking Ahead: Expectations for Upcoming Films
With three projects already planned under this first-look deal, fans and observers eagerly anticipate the stories The McDonough Company will develop in cooperation with Angel Studios. The reunion of McDonough with Jon Avnet and Mykelti Williamson signals that audiences can expect strong character-driven plots that carry spiritual and emotional weight.
This partnership could also inspire other filmmakers and studios to pursue similar paths, fostering a broader movement toward family-friendly, faith-affirming cinema. Neal McDonough Angel Deal thus represents an important step in this evolving entertainment landscape, offering hope for more diverse storytelling that reflects wholesome values.
