Angel Studios, the Utah-based entertainment company behind breakout hits like The Chosen and Sound of Freedom, has officially closed its deal to become a publicly traded company valued at $1.6 billion. The move comes through a merger with Southport Acquisition Corporation, a special purpose acquisition company, marking a significant milestone for a studio that began less than a decade ago as VidAngel before reinventing itself under its current brand. Trading under the ticker “ANGX” on the New York Stock Exchange began on September 11, 2025.
The deal emerged after years of rapid growth fueled by Angel’s unique model of financing and project development. Unlike traditional studios, Angel relies heavily on its “Angel Guild,” a membership community that votes on which projects the company should back. The Guild has swelled from just over 200,000 members in 2024 to more than 1.5 million in 2025, spread across dozens of countries. This grassroots structure, combined with strong crowdfunding campaigns, has helped Angel finance and distribute a string of films and series that resonate with its audience base, particularly those seeking family-friendly and values-driven content.
While some analysts have questioned whether going public will pressure the company to alter its slate, Angel executives have emphasized that the Guild system will remain at the center of its decision-making. Still, the added capital and shareholder expectations could shape how many projects the company produces and how broadly it expands into global markets. Angel has already signaled its intent to scale aggressively, with SEC filings showing that it expects to license as many as two new streaming films or shows per week throughout 2025.
The timing of the public debut reflects the studio’s surging financials. Revenue has risen sharply, jumping from $15.3 million in the second quarter of 2024 to $87.4 million in the same period of 2025. App installs have topped 70 million, and international distribution partnerships have been secured in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. By joining public markets, Angel now has both the credibility and the resources to further expand its reach beyond U.S. audiences.
The studio’s current pipeline includes an eclectic mix of projects in keeping with its mission to tell “stories that amplify light.” Upcoming releases feature The King of Kings, an animated film boasting the voices of Kenneth Branagh, Uma Thurman, and Mark Hamill; Bonhoeffer, a biographical drama about the anti-Nazi pastor; Sight, the true story of Dr. Ming Wang restoring vision; and Homestead, a post-apocalyptic survival drama. Other announced projects include The Last Rodeo and Jacob, while the company continues to negotiate international theatrical and streaming deals that could bring its films to millions more viewers worldwide.
For Angel, the leap onto Wall Street represents more than just an influx of cash—it is a validation of a business model that has defied traditional Hollywood structures. Whether the demands of being a public company will push Angel toward safer, more commercially driven projects, or whether it can maintain the unconventional, audience-led approach that has propelled its rise, remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Angel Studios is no longer just a niche distributor. With its new public standing, it is positioning itself as a global entertainment player with ambitions to match.
