Hamilfans and everyone else missing live theatre get excited because the Tony, Pulitzer, Grammy-winning, smash-hit Broadway musical, Hamilton, is coming to Disney+ on July 3, 2020. While it may not be possible to see Hamilton live on stage right now, with Broadway being dark until at least September 6, 2020 and with no official reopening date and theatres across the country and around the world closed until further notice, this is a light in these dreary times. Hamilton was originally set for theatrical release on October 21, 2021, but now we get to be in the room where it happens more than a year early. 

“I’m so proud of how beautifully Tommy Kail has brought Hamilton to the screen. He’s given everyone the best seat in the house.” Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of the show, said in a statement on Good Morning America. “I’m so grateful to all the fans who asked for this, and I’m so glad that we’re able to make it happen. I’m so proud of this show. I can’t wait for you to see it.”

Hamilton is a hip-hop-infused musical about the life and death of the first Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton. It gives us a history lesson, it celebrates diversity and people coming together to make a difference in the world, and it’s full of great music and a great story written by Miranda. 

This isn’t the first time Disney has shuffled release dates for new and upcoming projects because of the coronavirus pandemic. Frozen 2 and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker were both released on Disney+ a few months early and Artemis Fowl, which was set for theatrical release on May 29, 2020, is now going to be available to stream on June 12, 2020. Disney reportedly paid $75 million for the worldwide film rights to Hamilton, which may be the biggest movie acquisition deal ever. 

“I can’t think of another work of art in the last decade that’s had the cultural impact of Hamilton,” said Disney executive chairman, Bob Iger.

Hamilton was filmed live at the Richard Rodgers Theatre back in June 2016, capturing the live performance over three days and was directed for the screen (and stage) by Thomas Kail. The film features the original Broadway cast including Lin-Manuel Miranda in the titular role, Leslie Odom Jr. Renee Elise Goldsberry, Phillipa Soo, Daveed Diggs, Okieriete Onaodowan Anthony Ramos, Jasmine Cephas-Jones, and Jonathan Groff. 

In The Heights, another Miranda musical, which adapted for the screen and slated for release this June has been rescheduled for release June 18, 2021. But Hamilton being released early is a good alternative.