In early August, Walt Disney Studios announced that the filmed version of hit Broadway musical Hamilton would be released in theaters starting September 5, 2025. On premiere day, audiences across the country rushed to theaters, uniting new and old fans to experience Hamilton in a powerful new way.

For those who aren’t familiar with Hamilton, the musical tells the story of the American founding father Alexander Hamilton. Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda in 2015, the musical revolutionized the face of musical theater with a fresh blend of hip-hop and history. It wasn’t long after its release that the musical gained a lofty fanbase, and just five years later, a filmed version was released on Disney+. This gave those stuck at home an opportunity to discover—or rediscover— the hype for Hamilton. In a similar vein, the theatrical release was able to echo that experience and also give it a new cultural significance. 

Inside the theater, the familiar story that was once enjoyed personally transformed into a shared viewing event. Whether audiences gathered for nostalgia or out of curiosity, watching Hamilton on the big screen allowed the audience to experience the blood, sweat, and tears with a renewed wonder—together.

Some audiences even went as far as dressing up as familiar characters and singing along throughout various songs. For new fans, they were quickly introduced to the musical while also being able to appreciate the communal aspect of the show. Regardless of how familiar audiences were with Hamilton, they quickly became immersed in the magic of theater, often applauding at the end of iconic songs.

In a nutshell, bringing Hamilton into the theater transformed an iconic musical into an iconic experience, nurturing community, and reaching new audiences. This drives home the deeper meaning behind Hamilton: history, expression, and storytelling transcend time and connect people across various communities. Serving as both a 10th anniversary of the premier of Hamilton and as a celebration of community, fans new and old were able to unite over the defining question of the musical: “Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?”