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Young Washington poster
7.1
Angel Studios / Wonder Project / 10 Ton Productions / 2521 Entertainment

Young Washington

Young Washington is a 2026 historical war drama directed by Jon Erwin. The 125-minute film stars William Franklyn-Miller as George Washington, with Ben Kingsley, Andy Serkis, Kelsey Grammer and Mary-Louise Parker. It dra...

2026 125 min PG-13
Critic7.1
Biography History War Drama
Trailer

Overview

A young George Washington faces war, betrayal and impossible choices that begin transforming an ambitious soldier into the leader who will help forge a nation.
Story 7.0
Acting 7.6
Direction 7.2
Cinematography 7.5
Music 7.1
Pacing 6.7
Originality 7.3
Emotional Impact 7.4
Overall 7.1

Editorial Review

By FindEdition Cinema Desk

7.1 /10

Why it is trending now

Young Washington remains in the domestic top five and continues attracting strong audience scores during its second theatrical week.

A leader before the legend

The film focuses on Washington as an ambitious and inexperienced young officer rather than presenting him only as a finished national icon.

A veteran supporting cast

Ben Kingsley, Andy Serkis, Kelsey Grammer and Mary-Louise Parker provide authority around William Franklyn-Miller’s central performance.

Historical spectacle

The battle scenes and frontier setting give the film its strongest cinematic energy.

Pros

  • Confirmed 125-minute official runtime
  • Strong 92% audience score and A CinemaScore
  • Experienced supporting cast
  • Rare focus on Washington’s formative failures
  • Current top-five domestic box-office presence

Cons

  • Critical reception is more mixed than audience reception
  • Some historical events are dramatized
  • The long runtime may feel slow for viewers expecting constant battle scenes
Verdict An earnest historical drama with strong audience appeal, impressive battle sequences and useful current search momentum around its accuracy and sequel prospects.

AI Review

Young Washington is a 2026 historical war drama directed by Jon Erwin. The 125-minute film stars William Franklyn-Miller as George Washington, with Ben Kingsley, Andy Serkis, Kelsey Grammer and Mary-Louise Parker. It dramatizes Washington’s early military failures and development as a leader. The film opened on July 3 and has earned approximately $35.7 million domestically.

An earnest historical drama with strong audience appeal, impressive battle sequences and useful current search momentum around its accuracy and sequel prospects.

Recommended for historical-drama viewers, American-history audiences and viewers interested in George Washington’s early military career.

Timeline

Release Date
Theatrical Date
Status
Development

Wonder Project and Angel Studios developed the film around George Washington’s formative military years.

Screenplay

Jon Erwin, Diederik Hoogstraten and Aaron Boyd developed the historical screenplay.

Lead Casting

William Franklyn-Miller was cast as the young George Washington.

Supporting Cast

Ben Kingsley, Andy Serkis, Kelsey Grammer, Mary-Louise Parker and Joel Smallbone joined the ensemble.

Principal Photography

Production recreated eighteenth-century military campaigns and frontier conflicts.

Post-production

Kristopher Kimlin handled cinematography, with Parker Adams and David de Vos editing.

Marketing

Angel positioned the film as an Independence Day historical event tied to America’s 250th anniversary.

Theatrical Release

Angel Studios released Young Washington nationwide on July 3, 2026.

Box-office Run

The film opened above expectations and reached approximately $35.7 million domestically.

Production

Development

Wonder Project and Angel Studios developed the film around George Washington’s formative military years.

Screenplay

Jon Erwin, Diederik Hoogstraten and Aaron Boyd developed the historical screenplay.

Lead Casting

William Franklyn-Miller was cast as the young George Washington.

Supporting Cast

Ben Kingsley, Andy Serkis, Kelsey Grammer, Mary-Louise Parker and Joel Smallbone joined the ensemble.

Principal Photography

Production recreated eighteenth-century military campaigns and frontier conflicts.

Post-production

Kristopher Kimlin handled cinematography, with Parker Adams and David de Vos editing.

Marketing

Angel positioned the film as an Independence Day historical event tied to America’s 250th anniversary.

Theatrical Release

Angel Studios released Young Washington nationwide on July 3, 2026.

Box-office Run

The film opened above expectations and reached approximately $35.7 million domestically.

Cast

William Franklyn-Miller George Washington
Ben Kingsley Robert Dinwiddie
Andy Serkis General Edward Braddock
Kelsey Grammer Lord Fairfax
Joel Smallbone William Fairfax
Mary-Louise Parker Mary Washington
Mia Rodgers Sally Cary
Jonno Davies James Mackay
John Foss Lawrence Washington
Leo Hanna Christopher Gist

Characters

George Washington William Franklyn-Miller
Robert Dinwiddie Ben Kingsley
General Edward Braddock Andy Serkis
Lord Fairfax Kelsey Grammer
William Fairfax Joel Smallbone
Mary Washington Mary-Louise Parker
Sally Cary Mia Rodgers
James Mackay Jonno Davies
Lawrence Washington John Foss
Christopher Gist Leo Hanna

Crew

Jon Erwin Director / Writer / Producer
Diederik Hoogstraten Writer
Aaron Boyd Writer
Adam Abel Producer
Chip Diggins Producer
Kristy Choo Producer
Kristopher Kimlin Producer / Cinematographer
Tyler Zacharia Producer
Parker Adams Editor
David de Vos Editor
Chad Krowchuk Production Designer

Videos

Official Trailer

Trivia

  • Angel Studios lists Young Washington at 2 hours and 5 minutes.
  • William Franklyn-Miller plays the young George Washington.
  • Ben Kingsley plays Virginia lieutenant governor Robert Dinwiddie.
  • Andy Serkis plays General Edward Braddock.
  • The film was released during the United States’ 250th-anniversary year.
  • Angel reports a 92% audience score and an A CinemaScore.
  • The domestic opening weekend reached approximately $19.37 million.
  • Current domestic and worldwide reported grosses are approximately $35.7 million.
  • The film focuses on Washington’s early military failures rather than his presidency.
  • A follow-up story focused on 1776 has been discussed following the film’s opening.

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AI Recommendation Insight

Young Washington is a 2026 historical war drama directed by Jon Erwin. The 125-minute film stars William Franklyn-Miller as George Washington, with Ben Kingsley, Andy Serkis, Kelsey Grammer and Mary-Louise Parker. It dramatizes Washington’s early military failures and development as a leader. The film opened on July 3 and has earned approximately $35.7 million domestically. Similar picks: Similar Director, Highly Rated Biography, Similar War

Young Washington