Wondering if Hamilton is ok for kids? Hamilton is rated PG-13 for language and suggestive content. Is Hamilton kid friendly? Not for all kids due to language, war, adultery, and death. Disney did remove some things from the original musical to make Hamilton more kid friendly. Here’s what parents need to know in this Hamilton Parents Guide.
Is Hamilton Kid Friendly? Beware of These 5 Things
Is Hamilton on Disney Plus amazing? Yes! But is Hamilton appropriate for all kids? No. Here’s what parents need to know about Hamilton.
Hamilton may not be kid friendly for all young children, but some of the songs in Hamilton are kid appropriate like The Schuyler Sisters.
Hamilton Parents Guide
Here are some of things parents should know and watch for in Hamilton on Disney+.
1. The Song “Say No To This.” This is where there’s one racy scene mentioned below and an affair.
2. Language – See below for the full list, but there is some colorful language and 4-letter words.
3. Emotional Content – There are deaths and a mother’s grief is hard to watch, especially with close up shots to really see the emotion on the actors’ faces.
4. The Length of the Film – Hamilton is 2 hours and 40 minutes. This is long for kids and some younger kids will be uninterested and bored. You do receive a built-in one-minute intermission in Hamilton on Disney Plus for bathroom breaks or a refill on snacks.
5. Politics – If you’re not into that, then Hamilton is not for you. But if you’re here for the discussion, then there’s plenty to talk about with kids.
Hamilton is a fantastic show, but aside from language, there is also heavy emotional content like adultery, death, and murder. It can be a lot for little ones. It’s a musical theater production telling the story of Alexander Hamilton’s rise to power from poverty during the American Revolution, so it’s also a story about war.
Was Hamilton Edited for Disney+?
Yes, Hamilton was slightly edited to give it a PG-13 rating for Disney Plus.
Twitter user @Hozzerharris asked Lin-Manuel Miranda:
@Lin_Manuel hey hey so excited about Hamilton on Disney+ and OH my god I finally get to see you as A.Ham, BUT as it’s rated PG-13 does that mean that some (iconic) lines have been cut?? Is it changed at all?
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s response: (I edited the fu–s).
1. On July 3, you’re getting the whole show, every note & scene, & a 1-minute countdown clock during intermission (bathroom!) 2. But MPAA has a hard rule about language: more than 1 utterance of “F—” is an automatic R rating. We have 3 “F–ks” in our show. So…
…I literally gave two f—s so the kids could see it: 1. In Yorktown, there’s a mute over “I get the f___ back up again” 2. “Southern *record scratch*kin’ Democratic Republicans.” You can sing whatEVER you like at home (even sync up the album)! Love you. Enjoy.
Why is Hamilton Rated PG-13?
If Hamilton were an unedited movie, it would be rated R. And if what Lin-Manuel Miranda says is correct about #Hamilfilm, then nothing else was altered.
But after watching it, the f-word they leave, Hamilton doesn’t actually complete it. “That was my wife you decided to…fuuu….”
Language in Hamilton
There is other language like sh–, damn, g-ddamn, whor*, bastard, and Jesus Christ.
Thanks to gypsy101 on the Broadway World message boards for this list of sh– and f-words in songs.
My Shot: “Britain keeps sh*ttin’ on us endlessly.”
Right Hand Man: “Watch the blood and the sh*tspray.”
The Story of Tonight (Reprise): “She’s married to a British officer…” “Ohsh*t…”
Stay Alive: “He sh*ts the bed at the Battle of Monmouth.”
The Battle of Yorktown: “We in the sh*t now, somebody’s gotta shovel. Hercules Mulligan, I need no introduction, when you knock me down I get the f*ckback up again.”
Cabinet Battle #1: “Sitting there useless as two sh*ts…”
Washington on Your Side: “Let’s show these Federalists what they’re up against: southern motherf*ckin’ Democratic Republicans.”
Blow Us All Away: “If you had only heard the sh*t he said about you, I doubt you would have let it slide and I was not about to.”
The Election of 1800: “John Adams shat the bed.”
Mature Content
There is an affair, adultery, passionate kissing and fondling over the clothes in Say No To This. The close up of facial expressions make it a little more steamy.
Some of the talk is raunchy. Like in Aaron Burr, Sir, “It’s hard to have intercourse over 4 sets of corsets. Whoa, no more sex, pour me another brew, son.”
Also there are dances with muskets and duels with guns, where some result in death.
Is Hamilton Appropriate for Kids Under 13?
If your kids have listened to the soundtrack, then you know what to expect. I’d say Hamilton is ok for kids ages 12 and up. Is Hamilton ok for kids? Not for young ones. It just depends what you and your child are comfortable with.
I sobbed during a couple of scenes, so the musical can be emotional, but overall the energy is amazing! I recommend taking a look at the lyrics of some of the songs if you do want to know more before watching. If your kids are young (though not too young) scrappy, and hungry, then they won’t want to miss it. And you can fast forward some of the scenes on TV.
Is the Hamilton Film As Good as The Musical?
Does the musical convey in a film?
Listen, nothing compares to live theater. But, it’s a gift to get this chance to watch Hamilton in our homes and not have to sell off our possessions to afford tickets. However, I do wish there were some more wide-angle shots.
With the close ups, you get a point of view not witnessed in the proverbial cheap seats. Facial expressions, the emotion, the spit coming out of King George’s mouth, sweat on the brows, and the physicality of singing, dancing, acting all at once.
When you’re in a theater you get to decide where your eye line focuses, but with the Hamilton Film, the camera decides for you. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It captures the energy and electricity of each performer.
No, Hamilton is not family friendly for everyone. No doubt. However, I’m willing to overlook some of it because there are important discussions to have with our children. The climb to power, purpose of war, jealousy, greed, mistakes, forgiveness, standing for something. Even Hamilton quotes like, “Burr, I’d rather be divisive than indecisive, drop the niceties,” are relevant today.
For young ones I’d worry more about the death scenes, despair, and sexual tones over the language. The grief of a mother is very powerful and for sensitive kids, it could be too much.
There are a few historical inaccuracies, but being a historian in song, lyrics, and poetry is an incredible feat, and Lin-Manuel Miranda is a sensational storyteller. Some may not understand the messages conveyed, but I challenge you to watch again if you don’t. If you think, what’s the big deal or is this it, then open your heart a little more.
The original cast is magic with standouts Leslie Odom, Jr., and Phillipa Soo. There’s a reason why Hamilton is hyped up so much, and we’re blessed to see why. Who tells your story? If you’re lucky, someone like Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Hamilton is now streaming on Disney Plus. And if after you watch you need more, check out these 25 musicals on Disney Plus!
