If you never got the chance to see “Hamilton” on the stage, now’s the time to shoot your shot.
On July 3, a filmed version of the hit hip-hop musical hits Disney+. Created by and starring Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Pulitzer Prize and 11 Tony Award-winning play follows the story of America’s Founding Fathers, as told through vibrant and decidedly modern music. It’s arguably the most successful musical phenomenon of the modern era and, although it was originally slated for a theatrical release in 2021, it’s been fast-tracked to hit Disney+ sooner.
Here’s everything you need to know about how you can be in “the room where it happens.”
How can I watch “Hamilton”?
If you already have Disney+, you’ll be set to watch “Hamilton” on July 3. If you don’t already have it, then subscribe to the service, which is $6.99 a month. There are no more free trials, but you can cancel at any time after.
When will “Hamilton” be available to stream?
It premieres Friday, July 3, around 3 am EST.
Will “Hamilton” be on Disney+ after July 3?
Yes. While Disney+ has not announced the date it’s leaving, expect it to stick around for a while, alongside all the Marvel movies and Disney original shows such as “Star Wars” series “The Mandalorian.” It could be taken down post-COVID once the play resumes, but nobody knows exactly when that will be.
How long is the movie?
Its run time is 160 minutes, or two-and-a-half hours. Two of the three F-bombs have been removed in order to fit the standards of a typical PG-13 rated movie.
Is this “Hamilton” cast different from the one in the musical?
No. This version of the play was filmed at New York’s Richard Rodgers Theatre in 2016 and features the original Broadway cast of the show, which includes Miranda, Daveed Diggs, Leslie Odom Jr. and Jonathan Groff, among others.
Are there any extras?
Along with the release of the movie, Disney+ will also debut a behind-the-scenes documentary, which will reunite the original Broadway cast, called “Hamilton In-Depth With Kelley Carter,” Entertainment Weekly reports.
“The story and subject matter that ‘Hamilton’ covers, and the creative vision of its architects and actors, are more timely than ever,” Jimmy Pitaro, president of ESPN and co-chair, Disney Media Networks, said in a statement. “The Undefeated, and Kelley L. Carter, are uniquely positioned to help connect audiences – whether they have never seen the show, or have seen it 10 times – to the creative process, people and significance of ‘Hamilton’ as it debuts on Disney+.”