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Hamilton (2020 film)

Hamilton is a 2020 American filmed version of the Broadway musical Hamilton, directed by Thomas Kail and released on Disney+ in July 2020.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Hamilton is a 2020 American filmed version of the Broadway musical Hamilton, directed by Thomas Kail and released on Disney+ in July 2020. It captures the original stage production with the original principal cast and is based on Lin-Manuel Miranda’s award-winning musical, which was inspired by Ron Chernow’s biography of Alexander Hamilton.

Premise

Hamilton presents the Broadway musical as a filmed performance, dramatizing the life of Alexander Hamilton and the early history of the United States. The production is known for its contemporary musical style and diverse casting.

Production

The film was recorded over three performances in 2016 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City. Thomas Kail directed the capture, with Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeffrey Seller among the producers.

Release

The film was released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures on Disney+ on July 3, 2020. It had originally been planned for a theatrical release in 2021 before the schedule changed during the pandemic.

Reception

Hamilton was widely discussed for bringing the stage production to a streaming audience and for its blend of historical subject matter with modern musical forms. It was also noted for preserving the original Broadway cast and staging.

Key facts

  • The film is a live stage recording of the Broadway production of Hamilton.
  • It was directed by Thomas Kail and co-produced by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeffrey Seller.
  • The musical reimagines the life of Alexander Hamilton using hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and Broadway styles.
  • It premiered on Disney+ on July 3, 2020 after its theatrical release plans were changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The original principal cast from Broadway appears in the film.
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Canadian context

Hamilton has been widely available to Canadian audiences through Disney+, making it part of the streaming catalogue accessible in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What is Hamilton (2020 film)?
It is a filmed version of the Broadway musical Hamilton, recorded live and released as a feature film on Disney+.
Who directed Hamilton?
Thomas Kail directed the film version.
When was Hamilton released?
It was released on Disney+ on July 3, 2020.
What is Hamilton based on?
It is based on Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical Hamilton, which was inspired by Ron Chernow’s biography Alexander Hamilton.
Who stars in the film?
The film features the original Broadway cast, including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr., Renée Elise Goldsberry, Phillipa Soo, and Daveed Diggs.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamilton_(2020_film)
    Supports: Basic identification, production details, release date, and relation to the Broadway musical
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8503618/
    Supports: Director, runtime, release date, country, and cast
  3. Disney+ — https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-f7f12d79-cfbe-4eb4-b275-091fd34b6dde
    Supports: Runtime, genre, and streaming release information
  4. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/hamilton-movie-review-2020
    Supports: Disney+ release date and filmed-stage-performance description
  5. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hamilton_2020
    Supports: Director, release details, runtime, and filmed Broadway production description