Young Washington Opens July 3

By The Backlot

@backlotfriends

A scene from Young Washington, the 2026 Angel Studios historical drama about George Washington's early military career

Young Washington opens July 3, one day before America turns 250. The timing is not a coincidence.

Angel Studios and director Jon Erwin tell the story of George Washington at 22, before the myth calcified. He makes a military mistake that triggers the French and Indian War and then has to figure out what kind of leader he wants to be. William Franklyn-Miller plays him alongside Ben Kingsley, Andy Serkis, and Kelsey Grammer.

Critics landed at 74 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. The audience score is 93. That gap almost always means something worth seeing.

If you want context before you go, watch The Patriot. Still holds up as a July 4 weekend movie.

The 250th anniversary of America deserves a film worth the occasion. This might be it.

Quick Facts

DirectorJon Erwin

CastWilliam Franklyn-Miller, Ben Kingsley, Andy Serkis, Kelsey Grammer, Joel Smallbone

GenreAction, Adventure, War

Release2026-07-03

Runtime125 min

RatedN/A

Instagram caption

Young Washington opens July 3. Critics are split but audiences gave it 93 percent. That gap usually means something. Tag who you are seeing this with this Fourth of July weekend. #YoungWashington #Backlot @wfranklynmiller @angelstudios_inc

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Young Washington opens July 3. Critics 74%, audiences 93%. The film about Washington at 22, before he became the myth. July 4th weekend movie sorted.

Young Washington opens July 3, one day before America turns 250. The timing is not a coincidence.

Critics landed at 74 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. The audience score is 93. That gap almost always means something worth seeing.

If you want context before you go, watch The Patriot. Still holds up as a July 4 weekend movie.

The 250th anniversary of America deserves a film worth the occasion. This might be it.