Young Washington Is in Theaters for the Fourth of July

By The Backlot

@backlotfriends

A colonial soldier in a red coat and tricorn hat rides a horse through a misty forest in a scene from Young Washington

Young Washington opened July 3 in 2,700 theaters via Angel Studios, right in time for the long weekend. It covers the French and Indian War years before Washington was Washington: a young Virginia militia colonel learning command under fire.

Critics landed at 57% on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences gave it a CinemaScore of A, with 81% saying they would recommend it. That gap matters. Ben Kingsley plays the Royal Governor. Andy Serkis is General Braddock. William Franklyn-Miller carries the film as the young Washington. The battle sequences, filmed in Ireland and Virginia, are the real draw.

If you want something big and American for the holiday weekend, this is the one. Director Jon Erwin keeps it earnest and the set pieces deliver.

Watch Before You Go: The Patriot (2000).

Group Chat Take: Critics said 57%. The crowd said A. That argument is half the fun.

Quick Facts

Young Washington Is in Theaters for the Fourth of July

DirectorJon Erwin

CastWilliam Franklyn-Miller, Ben Kingsley, Andy Serkis, Mary-Louise Parker, Kelsey Grammer

GenreHistory, Action, Adventure, War

Release2026-07-03

Runtime122 min

Rated57% on Rotten Tomatoes

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Young Washington is in theaters now and audiences are giving it a CinemaScore A. The Fourth of July got its movie. #YoungWashington #Backlot

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Young Washington opened July 3. Critics gave it 57%. Audiences gave it a CinemaScore A. That gap tells you everything about this Fourth of July weekend.

If you want something big and American for the holiday weekend, this is the one. Director Jon Erwin keeps it earnest and the set pieces deliver.

Watch Before You Go: The Patriot (2000).

Group Chat Take: Critics said 57%. The crowd said A. That argument is half the fun.