3 weeks ago
Hamnet Historical Drama Starring Buckley, Mescal Streams on Lionsgate Play
Hamnet is a movie about a family that lived in England a really long time ago, more than 400 years ago.
It tells the story of Agnes and her husband William, who is the famous writer William Shakespeare.
The couple love each other and build a life together, raising their children.
Something very sad happens: their young son, Hamnet, dies.
The movie shows how the family deals with this terrible loss.
It is not a regular movie about Shakespeare and his famous plays; instead, it focuses on Agnes and her family.
The story asks how personal grief and family tragedy might influence great art and creativity.
Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal play the lead roles, and the movie was directed by Chloé Zhao, who also made the film Nomadland.
The movie first showed at the Telluride Film Festival in 2025 and then played in theatres in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Now, people can watch Hamnet at home on a streaming service called LIONSGATE PLAY.
Directed by Chloé Zhao, Hamnet stars Jessie Buckley as Agnes and Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare, and is inspired by Maggie O'Farrell's acclaimed 2020 novel.
The film had its world premiere at the 52nd Telluride Film Festival on 29 August 2025.
Focus Features gave Hamnet a limited theatrical release in the United States and Canada on November 26, 2025, followed by a wide release on December 5, 2025.
Universal Pictures released the film in the United Kingdom on January 9, 2026, and it is now streaming on LIONSGATE PLAY.
Set in late 16th-century England, the film centres on Agnes and William's family life and the devastating loss of their young son, Hamnet, exploring how grief and family tragedy could influence art and creativity.
- Who
- Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal star as Agnes and William Shakespeare, with Chloé Zhao directing, based on Maggie O'Farrell's 2020 novel.
- What
- The historical drama film Hamnet, about the loss of William Shakespeare's young son, is now streaming on LIONSGATE PLAY.
- Where
- The story is set in late 16th-century England; the film premiered at the 52nd Telluride Film Festival and is available online on LIONSGATE PLAY.
- When
- The film premiered on 29 August 2025, got limited and wide theatrical releases in the US and Canada on November 26 and December 5, 2025, and released in the UK on January 9, 2026.
- Why
- To explore love, family, grief and loss, and examine how personal tragedy could influence Shakespeare's art and creativity.
Key facts
- Director
- Chloé Zhao
- Based On
- Maggie O'Farrell's acclaimed 2020 novel Hamnet
- Lead Cast
- Jessie Buckley as Agnes, Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare
- Music Composer
- Max Richter
- Production Houses
- Hera Pictures, Neal Street Productions, Amblin Entertainment, Book of Shadows
- World Premiere
- 52nd Telluride Film Festival, 29 August 2025
- Theatrical Release
- Limited US/Canada November 26, 2025; wide December 5, 2025; UK January 9, 2026
- Streaming Platform
- LIONSGATE PLAY










