Hamilton is coming to Disney+ over a year earlier than expected

The Disney+ streaming video service already has over 50 million subscribers and it just launched in November. Verizon is giving its unlimited subscribers a free year of service and existing Hotstar customers in India also can view the service for a limited time without paying for it. With adults and children stuck at home, Disney+ is a good streaming service to have as parents and their kids can watch movies, television shows, and animated fare together.

In March, Disney+ listed the hit sequel Frozen II three months earlier than expected to give a boost to the platform. The continuing adventures of Elsa, Anna, Olaf, and Kristoff were added to Disney+ just in time to give subscribers a distraction from the pandemic. Now it is the adults' turn to be rewarded; Disney was originally going to have the Hamilton movie premiere in movie theaters on October 15th, 2021. Instead, it will make its Disney+ debut on July 3rd. The Broadway show that broke all of the rules will be streamed in movie form and it will star the original cast including the show's creator Lin-Manuel Miranda (yes, it's Alvie from House).

The film was shot over three performances on Broadway back in July 2016. Miranda, who portrays Alexander Hamilton in the show, praised the film's director. He says that Tommy Kail has "basically given everyone at home the best seat in the house. And it’s a thrilling experience. He really threads the needle between the cinematic closeups and widening out and seeing the show from the center aisle of the Richard Rodgers Theatre."

Surprise! The original Broadway production of Hamilton, filmed LIVE onstage at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, is now coming exclusively to #DisneyPlus this July 3rd. Shout it to the rooftops! #Hamilfilmpic.twitter.com/4FK4lZhcO6

— Disney+ (@disneyplus) May 12, 2020

Disney has timed the release of the film on its streaming platform so that viewers can see the musical about America's fight for Independence right when the country is celebrating Independence Day. "Watching it brings me right back there with that incredible once in a lifetime company," Miranda said today, "and I just can’t wait for you to see it."

With its hip hop score, Hamilton became such a smash on Broadway that getting tickets to the show was impossible, not to mention pricey. Last year the average paid ticket during a non-holiday week ran from $270 to $310. Premium-priced seats can cost as much as $849.

Disney+ is free for a week. Once that trial period is over, it will cost you $6.99 a month or $69.99 for a year. Up to ten different devices can be registered on an account with as many as four able to use the service simultaneously. Those of you who grew up watching The Disney Channel can take a trip down memory lane with DuckTales, That's So Raven, Lizzie McGuire and more. Star Wars and Marvel movies are available as are Pixar classics like Toy Story. If you're looking for something light to watch with your kids, we'd suggest The Goofy Movie. And don't forget that Disney+ includes 30 seasons of The Simpsons.

The Disney+ app is available from the App Store, the Google Play Store, and the internet. There really is something for everyone with Disney+. And on July 15th, NBCUniversal's Peacock app will be available from the App Store with the exclusive streaming rights to The Office. Peacock Free offers 7,500 hours of ad-supported content while Peacock Premium is free for Comcast and Cox subscribers but will also be supported by ads. Comcast and Cox customers can remove those ads for $4.99 a month while others can subscribe to ad-free Peacock Premium for $9.99 per month. The latter will include reboots of classic NBC shows like Saved by the Bell and Punky Brewster, and seasons of episodes belonging to such hits as Parks and Recreation, Frasier, House, the original Law & Order, and Cheers.