Young Washington (2026): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Young Washington is a 2026 action adventure film directed by Jon Erwin, starring William Franklyn-Miller as George Washington, Will Joseph and Alfie Kiely. It runs 2 hours 5 minutes and earned $47.2 million worldwide on a $20 million budget. Critics gave it 59% on Rotten Tomatoes and 49 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 5m (125 min)
- Director
- Jon Erwin
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Wonder Project
- Budget
- $20M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Young Washington About?
The premise of Young Washington without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Before becoming the Father of a Nation, he served as a soldier fighting to survive. A single misstep thrusts a young George Washington into a conflict, testing his honor, loyalty and courage. As alliances crumble and the frontier erupts into war, he must confront his enemies and the man he is becoming. This story reveals Washington’s early trials.
Young Washington Cast & Characters
William Franklyn-Miller leads the cast as George Washington, with Will Joseph as Young George Washington and Alfie Kiely as Jack Washington. Directed by Jon Erwin; 20 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Jon Erwin
- William Franklyn-Miller as George Washington
- Will Joseph as Young George Washington
- Alfie Kiely as Jack Washington
- Mary-Louise Parker as Mary Washington
Also Starring in Young Washington
· 16 more- John Foss Lawrence Washington
- Kelsey Grammer Lord Fairfax
- Mia Rodgers Sally Cary
- Michael Benz Thomas Gage
- Leo Hanna Christopher Gist
- Ryan Begay Tanacharison
- Ben Kingsley Robert Dinwiddie
- Clement Toyon Joseph Jumonville
- Joel Smallbone William Fairfax
- Jonno Davies James Mackay
- Andy Serkis Edward Braddock
- Ian Dillon Soldier
- Eoin Lynch Greeter
- Montana Cypress Chief Red Hawk
- Angus Castle-Doughty David Frisk
- Jo Dow Priest
More from Jon Erwin
More films directed by Jon Erwin, best-rated first: Jesus Revolution, I Can Only Imagine, American Underdog and The Jesus Music.
Young Washington Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Young Washington 59% on Rotten Tomatoes and 49 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 49/100, strongest in art & craft (55) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).
Young Washington Echo Score Breakdown
Young Washington delivers a competent portrayal of the founding figure but struggles to maintain consistent engagement. The film’s production values and period authenticity are notable, yet its narrative pacing and character depth often feel dated, limiting broader appeal. Critics note a reliance on conventional storytelling aimed at a specific demographic, while some viewers appreciate the solid performances and visual execution. Consequently, the movie registers mixed reactions, reflecting both its craftsmanship and its shortcomings.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 55
ART: The film exhibits respectable production design and competent cinematography, particularly in its battle sequences and period settings. Critics acknowledge the confident sense of place and solid staging, though many cite an overall stodginess and reliance on conventional visual tropes. The visual execution therefore balances between well‑crafted moments and a dated aesthetic, resulting in a moderate appraisal of its artistic craftsmanship.
- Character & Emotion 45
CHARACTER: Performances are highlighted as the film’s primary asset, with several reviewers praising solid acting and an engaging lead portrayal. However, criticism targets the lack of charisma in the protagonist and a general sense of declamatory, underdeveloped character dynamics. The mixed feedback yields a middling score that reflects both the strength of certain performances and the overall superficial treatment of character depth.
- Story & Flow 48
STORY: The narrative fulfills its basic premise of depicting Washington’s early life but often feels formulaic and unevenly paced. Reviewers note the film’s adherence to historical facts while lacking a compelling arc that sustains adult interest. Consequently, the plot is perceived as serviceable yet uninspired, resulting in a moderate assessment of its storytelling effectiveness.
- Sensory Experience 50
SENSORY: Soundtrack and sound design are generally competent, supporting the period atmosphere without standing out. Visual style benefits from well‑executed battle scenes and a confident sense of place, yet critics describe the overall aesthetic as conventional and occasionally stiff. This blend of solid technical elements and dated execution leads to a balanced but unremarkable sensory impression.
- Rewatch Factor 45
REWATCH: The film offers moments of straightforward entertainment that may appeal to family or niche audiences, yet its predictable structure and dated tone limit lasting appeal. While some viewers find the historical accuracy and solid performances enjoyable on repeat viewing, the overall lack of narrative depth and dynamic pacing diminish its replay value, resulting in a modest rewatch factor.
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Rotten Tomatoes 59% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 92%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 49 Metascore
User score 5.7
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 77% User score
See on TMDB
Young Washington Plot Summary
What happens in Young Washington from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
France’s attempt to seize the Ohio Territory in 1755 sets a tense backdrop as Britain orders the French to withdraw and Native nations rally to defend their lands. In this context, the story follows a young man who will become a defining figure in American history, tracing his origins, decisions, and the costs of leadership.
On July 9th, 1755, in a remote Pennsylvania wilderness, a gravely ill George Washington [William Franklyn-Miller] wakes to the clash around him, staggers from his tent, and mounts his horse with a mission to rally his men. A wary British soldier cautions him that the risk may be too great, yet Washington presses on, determined to recover those under his command.
Full summary
The whole story of Young Washington, scene by scene
Young Washington Box Office & Budget
Young Washington grossed $47.2 million worldwide on a $20 million budget, 2.4 times what it cost. $47.1 million came from the US and Canada and $74,962 (0%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$47.2M
2.4× its budget
- US & Canada
- $47.1M
- International
- $75K
- Budget
- $20M
Young Washington Trailers & Videos
4 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser, 1 clip and 1 featurette.
- Teaser Official Teaser
- Clip First Look
- Featurette A Message From Young George Washington
How Well Do You Know Young Washington?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who gifts young George a compass at his father's funeral?
Seen Young Washington?
Young Washington FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Young Washington, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Young Washington?
Young Washington runs 2 hours 5 minutes (125 minutes).
When was Young Washington released?
Young Washington was released on July 3, 2026.
Who directed Young Washington?
Young Washington was directed by Jon Erwin.
More films by Jon Erwin Who is in the cast of Young Washington?
Young Washington stars William Franklyn-Miller as George Washington, Will Joseph as Young George Washington and Alfie Kiely as Jack Washington, among 20 credited actors.
How much did Young Washington make at the box office?
Young Washington grossed $47.2 million worldwide ($47.1 million domestic, $74,962 international) on a budget of $20 million.
How is Young Washington rated?
Young Washington has 59% on Rotten Tomatoes, 49 on Metacritic and 77% on TMDB.
Does Young Washington have a post-credit scene?
No. Young Washington has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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