| Hamilton | |
|---|---|
 Release poster | |
| Directed by | Thomas Kail |
| Written by | Lin-Manuel Miranda |
| Based on | Alexander Hamilton byRon Chernow |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Declan Quinn |
| Edited by | Jonah Moran |
| Music by | Lin-Manuel Miranda |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures[2] |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 160 minutes[3] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $12.5 million (stage production)[4] |
| Box office | $21 million[5][6] |
Hamilton is a 2020 American[7][8]musicalhistorical drama film consisting of a live stage recording ofthe Broadway musical, which was inspired by the 2004 biographyAlexander Hamilton byRon Chernow. Co-produced byWalt Disney Pictures,5000 Broadway Productions,RadicalMedia, Nevis Productions, and Old 320 Sycamore Pictures, it was filmed over three performances in 2016, directed byThomas Kail, who co-produced it withJeffrey Seller andLin-Manuel Miranda. Miranda, who wrote the music, lyrics, and book, stars asTreasury Secretary/Founding FatherAlexander Hamilton, along with the musical's original Broadway cast, includingLeslie Odom Jr.,Phillipa Soo,Christopher Jackson,Renée Elise Goldsberry,Daveed Diggs,Anthony Ramos,Jasmine Cephas Jones,Okieriete Onaodowan, andJonathan Groff.
Originally planned for theatrical release on October 15, 2021,Hamilton was instead released worldwide byWalt Disney Studios Motion Pictures tostream onDisney+ on July 3, 2020. Acclaimed by critics for its visuals, performances, and direction, it became one of the most-streamed films of 2020. The film was named as one of thebest films of 2020 by theAmerican Film Institute, and was nominated forBest Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy andBest Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (Miranda) at the78th Golden Globe Awards, whileDaveed Diggs was nominated forSAG Award for Outstanding Male Actor in a Limited Series or Television Movie.Hamilton was also nominated for 12Primetime Emmy Awards, winning 2, includingOutstanding Variety Special. The film was theatrically released on September 5, 2025 to celebrate the musical's tenth anniversary.
Hamilton narrates Alexander Hamilton's life in two acts, and details among other things his involvement in theAmerican Revolutionary War as anaide-de-camp toGeorge Washington, his marriage toEliza Schuyler, his career as a lawyer andSecretary of the Treasury, and his interactions withAaron Burr (the main narrator for most of the musical), which culminates intheir duel that ends Hamilton's life.
The orphan Alexander Hamilton experiences a difficult early life, but through his wits and the charity of the people of his hometown, he escapes his home—the island ofSt. Croix—and immigrates to New York City ("Alexander Hamilton"). As a student atKing's College in 1776, Hamilton meets Aaron Burr,John Laurens, theMarquis de Lafayette, andHercules Mulligan ("Aaron Burr, Sir"), and impresses them with his rhetorical skills ("My Shot"). The latter three and Hamilton affirm their revolutionary goals to each other, while Burr remains apprehensive ("The Story of Tonight"). Later, the daughters of the wealthyPhilip Schuyler—Peggy,Angelica, andEliza—go into town and share their excitement about the upcoming revolution ("The Schuyler Sisters"), whileloyalist bishopSamuel Seabury argues against the revolution ("Farmer Refuted") andKing George III insists on his authority ("You'll Be Back"). During theNew York and New Jersey campaign, Hamilton accepts a position as George Washington'saide-de-camp despite longing for field command ("Right Hand Man").
At a ball hosted by Philip Schuyler ("A Winter's Ball"), Eliza falls helplessly in love with Hamilton, who reciprocates her feelings to the point of marriage ("Helpless"), as Angelica suppresses her own feelings for the sake of their happiness ("Satisfied"). After the wedding, Burr and Hamilton congratulate each other's successes ("The Story of Tonight (Reprise)"), and Burr reflects on Hamilton's swift rise compared to his own more cautious career, as well as his affair withTheodosia, the wife ofa British officer ("Wait for It").
As conditions worsen for theContinental Army with theBattle of Monmouth ("Stay Alive"), Hamilton aids Laurens in aduel against disgraced Major GeneralCharles Lee ("Ten Duel Commandments"), for which Washington temporarily suspends him from the army ("Meet Me Inside"). Back home, Eliza reveals that she is pregnant with their first child,Philip, and asks Hamilton to slow down to take in the good that has happened in their lives ("That Would Be Enough"). Lafayette convinces Washington to recall Hamilton and grant him field command for theBattle of Yorktown ("Guns and Ships"). Knowing that Hamilton would die a martyr, Washington tells him that he should carefully consider his actions because whatever he does will be remembered for all time ("History Has Its Eyes on You"). At Yorktown, Hamilton works with Lafayette to take down the British and reveals that Mulligan has been working as a spy, helping them trap the British and win the war ("Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)").
Soon after the victory of Yorktown, King George asks the newborn America how it will succeed on its own ("What Comes Next?"). Hamilton's son Philip is born, while Burr has a daughter,Theodosia, and the two new fathers promise their children that they will do anything to protect them ("Dear Theodosia"). Hamilton receives word that Laurens has been killed ina pointless battle with evacuating British troops after the war was already over and responds to his grief by throwing himself into his work ("Tomorrow There'll Be More of Us (The Laurens Interlude)"). Over the next decade, both Hamilton and Burr return to New York and work as lawyers. Through his work and writing, Hamilton rapidly gains influence, participates in theConstitutional Convention, co-authorsThe Federalist Papers and is selected asSecretary of the Treasury by newly elected President Washington, amidst Eliza begging him to slow down and Angelica moving to London withher new husband ("Non-Stop").
In 1789,Thomas Jefferson returns to America from being theU.S. ambassador to France, taking up his newfound position asSecretary of State ("What'd I Miss"). Jefferson andJames Madison debate against Hamilton's financial proposals at aCabinet meeting. Washington orders Hamilton to figure out a compromise to push his plan throughCongress ("Cabinet Battle #1"). Eliza and her family—along with Angelica, visiting from London—travel upstate during the summer, while Hamilton stays home to work on the compromise ("Take a Break"). Hamiltonbegins an affair withMaria Reynolds, making him vulnerable to her husband's extortion ("Say No to This"). Hamilton, Jefferson, andMadison finally reach acompromise over a private dinner: they will push throughHamilton's financial plan in exchange for placingthe country's permanent capital on thePotomac River. Burr is envious of Hamilton's sway in the government and wishes that he had similar power ("The Room Where It Happens"). Burr switches political parties and defeats Hamilton's father-in-law Philip Schuyler in a race for theSenate, now making Hamilton a rival ("Schuyler Defeated").
In another Cabinet meeting, Jefferson and Hamilton argue over whether the United States should assist France inits conflict with Britain. President Washington ultimatelyagrees with Hamilton's argument for remaining neutral ("Cabinet Battle #2"). In the wake of this, Jefferson, Madison, and Burr decide to join forces to find a way to discredit Hamilton ("Washington on Your Side"). Washington retires from the presidency after his second term, and Hamilton assists in writinghis farewell address ("One Last Time"). A flabbergasted King George receives word that George Washington has stepped down, and will be replaced byJohn Adams ("I Know Him"). Adams fires Hamilton, who, in response, publishes an inflammatory critique of the new president ("The Adams Administration").
Jefferson, Madison, and Burr confront Hamilton about James Reynolds's blackmail years earlier, accusing him of embezzlement ("We Know"). Desperate to salvage his political career by proving that he was merely lustful and not corrupt, Hamilton reminisces over his life and how writing has always saved him ("Hurricane"), before preemptively publicizing his affair in theReynolds Pamphlet, which wrecks his own reputation ("The Reynolds Pamphlet"). It also ruins his relationship with Eliza, who, in heartbroken retaliation, burns all the letters Hamilton wrote her, trying to erase herself from history ("Burn"). At 19 years old, Hamilton's son Philip attempts to defend his father's honor in a duel withGeorge Eacker ("Blow Us All Away"), but is fatally shot ("Stay Alive (Reprise)"), eventually leading to reconciliation between Alexander and Eliza ("It's Quiet Uptown").
Hamilton's surprising endorsement of longtime political enemy Jefferson over Burr in the1800 presidential election ("The Election of 1800") dramatically intensifies the animosity between Hamilton and Burr, who reaches his breaking point andchallenges Hamilton to a duel via an exchange of letters ("Your Obedient Servant"). Hamilton writes his last letter in a rush while Eliza tells him to go back to bed ("Best of Wives and Best of Women"). Burr reflects on the events leading up to the duel, while Hamilton reflects on his legacy, beforethrowing away his shot. Burr fatally shoots Hamilton, and laments that though he survived, he is destined to be remembered by history as the villain who killed Hamilton ("The World Was Wide Enough"). The musical closes with a reflection onhistorical memory. Jefferson and Madison reflect on Hamilton's legacy, while Eliza tells how she reinserted herself in history and ensured Hamilton's memory by recording the memories of fellow veterans, raising funds for theWashington Monument, speaking outagainst slavery, and establishingthe first private orphanage in New York City ("Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story"). Eliza then turnstoward the audience and lets out a tearfulgasp.
Carleigh Bettiol,Ariana DeBose, Hope Easterbrook,Sasha Hutchings, Elizabeth Judd, Austin Smith, andSeth Stewart also appear as ensemble members.
Act I
| Act II
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End Credits
Hamilton is edited together from three performances ofHamilton at theRichard Rodgers Theatre inMidtown Manhattan in June 2016 with the original principal Broadway cast members, prior to the departure of Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr., Phillipa Soo, andAriana DeBose from the production, combined with a few "setup shots" recorded without an audience present.[12] These shots included numbers that were captured with the use of aSteadicam,crane anddolly.[13] The footage, shot byRadicalMedia, was originally filmed to be spliced into the 2016 documentaryHamilton's America.[14] The film includes a one-minuteintermission;[11] this is extended to ten minutes for the 2025 theatrical release.
The film features the majority of the original Broadway cast, minus ensemble membersBetsy Struxness andEmmy Raver-Lampman, who departed in March and April 2016 respectively – their roles are performed by Hope Easterbrook and Elizabeth Judd.[15][16] Jonathan Groff, who departed the role of King George III in April and was replaced byRory O'Malley, returned to reprise his role; he also provides, in character, the voice of the pre-show announcer at the beginning, welcoming the audience to the show.[17]
On February 3, 2020, it was announced thatWalt Disney Studios had acquired the worldwide distribution rights for the film for $75 million.[18] Disney successfully outbid multiple competitors, includingWarner Bros. Pictures,20th Century Fox (which Disney had acquired in March 2019), andNetflix, who had all expressed interest in the film rights.[19] The deal, reportedly one of the most expensive film rights acquisitions,[20] was negotiated betweenEndeavor Content andWalt Disney Pictures presidentSean Bailey and was placed into motion after Disney CEOBob Iger approached the producers with personal interest in acquiring the film rights.[21][22] The film is produced by Miranda,Jeffrey Seller, and Kail.[12]
Hamilton was originally scheduled for an October 15, 2021 theatricalwide release byWalt Disney Studios Motion Pictures,[23][24][20] but was later moved up to July 3, 2020, onDisney+, as announced by Disney and Miranda on May 12, 2020[25] in light ofthe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the film industry andthe performing arts, which shut down the Broadway, West End, and touring productions. This move was also done to get the film released in time for theFourth of July weekend, on the 244th anniversary of the independence of the United States.[26]
The film was planned to be released for home media distribution byWalt Disney Studios Home Entertainment in 2022 after the streaming release, but nothing has since materialized.[27][28]
Hamilton received aPG-13 rating by theMPA for "language and some suggestive material".[29] Two instances of the expletive "fuck" were censored to avoid anR rating; a third, partially unfinished one used in "Say No to This" is retained, making it the first film released byWalt Disney Pictures to feature the expletive.[30] A fourth expletive, "motherfucker", used in "The Adams Administration" is also kept in, but is intentionallybleeped for comedic effect as part of the show and itscast album.
On August 6, 2025, Disney announced that the film would finally be released in theaters in the United States and Canada on September 5, 2025 to celebrate the musical's tenth anniversary.[31] This release includes new "Reuniting the Revolution" interviews with the original cast and creators.[32] Further, it will also be released in the United Kingdom and Ireland on September 26, and Australia and New Zealand on November 13.[33]
On the weekend of the film's release, the Disney+ app was downloaded 266,084 times, a 72% increase from the past four weeks' total.[34] TV analytics provider,Samba TV reported that 2.7 million U.S. households streamed the film in its first 10 days on Disney+.[35] In August 2020, it was reported that a "staggering" 37.1% of subscribers (about 22 million) had watched the film over its first month (by comparison, the second-largest viewership portion on a platform wasNetflix'sUnsolved Mysteries with 13.7%).[36] In November,Variety reported the film was the most watched straight-to-streaming title of 2020 up to that point.[37] In December, research firm Screen Engine reported thatHamilton was the second-most watched straight-to-streaming title of 2020 behindHBO Max'sWonder Woman 1984.[38]
In the United States and Canada,Hamilton was released alongsideThe Conjuring: Last Rites, and was projected to gross $7–8 million from 1,800 theaters in its opening weekend.[39] It made $3.9 million on its first day (including $850,000 from Thursday previews), and it went on to debut to $10.1 million finishing in second place behindThe Conjuring: Last Rites.[40][41]
During its second weekend in theaters, Hamilton would fall 78%, making $2.2 million and ranking 7th at the domestic box office.[42][43]
On thereview aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes, 98% of 202 critics' reviews are positive. The website's consensus reads: "Look around, look around at how beautifullyHamilton shines beyond Broadway – and at how marvelously Thomas Kail captures the stage show's infectious energy."[44]Metacritic, which uses aweighted average, assigned the film a score of 88 out of 100, based on 42 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[45]
Peter Debruge, in his review forVariety, wrote: "For those fortunate enough to seeHamilton on stage, this will be a welcome reminder of being among the first to witness such a revolutionary piece of American theater. And if you couldn't get tickets at the time (some of which fetched more than the value ofCares Act stimulus payments), this 2 1/2-hour release represents an incredible equalizing moment".[46]Justin Chang of theLos Angeles Times wrote "For those of us who have never seen the stage show, and have compensated by spending many happy hours with the soundtrack, it's a particular pleasure to be figuratively ushered into the live Richard Rodgers Theater audience, whose applause you often hear and whose presence you sometimes glimpse in passing. Unaltered from that initial staging, apart from some seamless editing (by Jonah Moran) and the silencing of a few family-unfriendly expletives, this filmedHamilton is somehow both a four-year-old time capsule and a timely encounter with the present."[47]
Rafer Guzmán ofNewsday gave the film 3 stars out of 4, writing "Directed with a steady hand by Thomas Kail,Hamilton doesn't quite capture the electricity of a live performance, though mid-song laughs and cheers can occasionally be heard from the audience (there's also a one-minute intermission).Hamilton will surely return when Broadway does, but for now this document will serve nicely in its stead."[48] David Ehrlich ofIndieWire gave the film a grade of A− and said: "This isHamilton as you always wanted to see it, and it always will be. And with Disney+ releasing it just in time for the Fourth of July, it doubles as a perfect reminder that America is only worth celebrating because of what it aspires to be — the version of it we see in our minds' eye, and not the one that's petrified on the pages of our history books."[49]
David Rooney, in his review forThe Hollywood Reporter, praised Kail's directing by writing "The art of the filmed performance has evolved considerably since the days when a camera or two were plonked down at the rim of the stage and the show unfolded as a static theatrical facsimile. Since staging Hamilton, director Thomas Kail has been sharpening his skills on television work likeGrease Live! — still by far the best of the recent spate of live TV musicals — andFosse/Verdon, a striking hybrid of theatrical performance and conventional narrative."[50]
A. O. Scott ofThe New York Times named the film a "Critic's Pick", praising the timeliness of its release stating "One lesson that the past few years should have taught — or reconfirmed — is that there aren’t any good old days. [...] This four-year-old performance of 'Hamilton,' viewed without nostalgia, feels more vital, more challenging than ever."[51] In 2024, Tim Grierson ofRogerEbert.com named the film the "Best Fourth of July Release of the 21st Century," writing "So many Independence Day releases celebrate spectacle, but few embody the complex beauty of this country and its history. This one does, ravishingly."[52]
Following its release and acclaim, there was speculation on whether it would be eligible for theAcademy Awards.[53] Major publications pointed to previous instances of Academy Award-nominated films featuring stage recordings, such asOthello (1965) andGive ‘em Hell, Harry (1975), suggesting the possibility of recognition forHamilton. However, on July 6, 2020, theAcademy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences disqualifiedHamilton for the93rd Academy Awards, citing a rule implemented in 1997 that "Recorded stage productions are not eligible for consideration."[54] Disney includedHamilton in itsawards consideration campaign and reportedly submitted the film to every organization and award guild, regardless of apparent eligibility.[55] Unlike the Academy, other major organizations that present film awards—such as theGolden Globe Awards and theSAG Awards—have no specific restrictions against filmed theater, and thus recognized the film.[56]
| Award | Category | Recipients | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| People's Choice Awards | The Movie of 2020 | Hamilton | Nominated | [57] |
| The Drama Movie of 2020 | Won | |||
| The Drama Movie Star of 2020 | Lin-Manuel Miranda | Won | ||
| American Cinema Editors Awards | Best Edited Limited Series or Motion Picture for Television | Jonah Moran | Nominated | [58] |
| American Film Institute Awards | AFI Special Award | Hamilton | Won | [59] |
| Cinema Audio Society Awards | Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for Television Non Fiction, Variety or Music – Series or Specials | Justin Rathbun, Tony Volante, Rob Fernandez andTim Latham | Won | [60] |
| Costume Designers Guild Awards | Excellence in Variety, Reality-Competition, Live Television | Paul Tazewell | Won | [61] |
| Critics' Choice Awards | Best Movie/ Miniseries | Hamilton | Won | [62] |
| DGA Awards | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Limited Series | Thomas Kail | Nominated | [63] |
| Golden Globe Awards | Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy | Hamilton | Nominated | [64] |
| Best Actor – Musical or Comedy | Lin-Manuel Miranda | Nominated | ||
| Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards | Best Streaming Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Live-Action Television Movie | Hamilton | Nominated | [65] |
| Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Television Movie | Leslie Odom Jr. | Nominated | ||
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Television Movie | Daveed Diggs | Nominated | ||
| Golden Reel Awards | Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Single Presentation | Tony Volante, Dave Paterson, Nevin Steinberg, Dan Timmons and Derik Lee | Nominated | [66] |
| Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards | Best Period and/or Character Hair Styling in a Television Special, One Hour or More Live Program Series or Movie for Television | Frederick Waggoner | Won | [67] |
| NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special | Hamilton | Nominated | [68] |
| Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special | Daveed Diggs | Nominated | ||
| Leslie Odom Jr. | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special | Lin-Manuel Miranda | Nominated | ||
| Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards | Favorite Movie | Hamilton | Nominated | [69] |
| Favorite Movie Actor | Lin-Manuel Miranda | Nominated | ||
| Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) | Sander Jacobs,Jill Furman, Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeffrey Seller | Won | [70] |
| Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie | Lin-Manuel Miranda | Nominated | ||
| Leslie Odom Jr. | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie | Daveed Diggs | Nominated | ||
| Jonathan Groff | Nominated | |||
| Anthony Ramos | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie | Renée Elise Goldsberry | Nominated | ||
| Phillipa Soo | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie | Thomas Kail | Nominated | ||
| Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards | Outstanding Picture Editing for Variety Programming | Jonah Moran | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety Series or Special | Tony Volante, Tim Latham and Justin Rathbun | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Technical Direction and Camerawork for a Special | Pat Capone, Jack Donnelly, Bruce MacCallum, Bill Winters, Maceo Bishop, Abby Levine and Joe Belack | Won | ||
| PGA Awards | Outstanding Producer of Streamed or Televised Motion Pictures | Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda andJeffrey Seller | Won | [71] |
| Satellite Awards | Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical | Hamilton | Nominated | [72] |
| Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical | Lin-Manuel Miranda | Nominated | ||
| Leslie Odom Jr. | Nominated | |||
| SAG Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series | Daveed Diggs | Nominated | [73] |
Abehind-the-scenesdocumentary about the making of the film, entitledHamilton In-Depth with Kelley Carter, premiered onThe Undefeated and Disney+ the same day as the film. It features journalist Kelley L. Carter hosting a roundtable discussion with Thomas Kail and members of the cast about the musical's origins, its significance in pop culture, and how its story and portrayal of historical events resonate with the modern-day discussions about social injustice andsystemic racism.[74]
| Principal author |  | |
|---|---|---|
| American Revolution | ||
| French Revolution | ||
| Other events | ||
| Life |
| |
| Honors and memorials | ||
| Legacy |
| |
| Family | ||
| Related | ||
