The historical drama Young Washington opened in theaters today, July 3, 2026, with a cast led by rising actor William Franklyn-Miller in the title role alongside veteran stars Kelsey Grammer, Ben Kingsley, Andy Serkis, and Mary-Louise Parker. The film, directed by Jon Erwin and distributed by Angel Studios, traces the early life of George Washington through his experiences as a young officer during the French and Indian War, a period rarely explored on screen.
The film premiered at the Tribeca Festival in New York on June 13, 2026, before its wide theatrical release timed to coincide with America’s 250th anniversary. According to Wikipedia, the film is based on the early life of the Founding Father and first president, focusing on his military command and the formative decisions that would shape his later leadership of the Continental Army.
Franklyn-Miller carries the narrative as Washington navigates war, betrayal, and impossible choices on the colonial frontier. Grammer portrays Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, a historical figure who mentored the young Washington. Ben Kingsley plays Robert Dinwiddie, the colonial governor of Virginia, while Andy Serkis takes on the role of General Edward Braddock, the British commander who led the disastrous 1755 Battle of the Monongahela. Mary-Louise Parker appears as Mary Ball Washington, the president’s mother.
The screenplay was written by Erwin alongside Tom Provost and Diederik Hoogstraten. Production began in late August 2025 in Ireland and Virginia, with the ensemble cast assembled over the following months. The film runs 122 minutes and carries a PG-13 rating.
Young Washington arrives at a moment when historical dramas set during the colonial and Revolutionary period remain relatively scarce in American cinema. The film’s focus on Washington’s formative years—his early military failures, his relationships with British officers, and the personal trials that preceded his rise to national prominence—offers audiences a less familiar chapter of American history. Angel Studios has positioned the release as part of the nation’s semiquincentennial celebrations, with the film debuting just one day before Independence Day.
Critical reception has been mixed. According to Wikipedia, the film holds a 60% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 30 critics’ reviews, with an average rating of 6 out of 10, while Metacritic assigned it a score of 52 out of 100 based on eight critics, indicating “mixed or average” reviews. Industry projections suggest the film could gross approximately $15 million in its opening weekend in the United States and Canada.
Sources
- Wikipedia — Film premise, cast, production timeline, release dates, and critical reception data
- IMDb — Cast list and film rating
- Angel Studios — Official distributor and release information
- Tribeca Festival — Premiere date and festival details
