Chloé Zhao’s ‘Hamnet’ Sets Awards-Friendly November Release

Zhao's adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's hit novel stars Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley as William Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes.

“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”

This famous line from Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” rings particularly apt now that Chloé Zhao‘s “Hamnet” has been slated for an awards-friendly November release. This adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s own award-winning historical novel stars Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley as William Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes. Focus Features has set a limited theatrical release for the Elizabethan-era drama on November 27, followed by a nationwide expansion on December 12.

In addition to landing within the window for an awards season play, the film also seems to be setting itself up as an “adult option” for moviegoers during the holiday season. It hits select theaters the same time as “Zootopia 2” and expands right as “Avatar: Fire & Ash” and “Spongebob: Search for Square Pants” begin their rollouts. It also marks a return for Zhao to independent filmmaking after helming Marvel’s “Eternals” in 2021. She’d previously broken through with indie films “The Rider” and “Nomadland,” the latter of which earned her Best Picture and Best Director at the 2021 Academy Awards.

Based on O’Farrell’s 2020 novel of the same name, “Hamnet” tells the story of William and Agnes Shakespeare as they grieve the death of their 11-year-old son. The love that rose from this devastation is what went on to inspire one of the Bard’s most famous tragedies, “Hamlet.” Joining Mescal and Buckley in the cast are Joe Alwyn, Emily Watson, and Jacobi Jupe as Hamnet Shakespeare.

Mescal and Buckley were both recently on hand in Las Vegas for CinemaCon 2025, but for different projects entirely. As part of Sony’s presentation, Mescal was brought out for the cast reveal of Sam Mendes’ four-film biopic series on “The Beatles,” in which he will be playing Paul McCartney. He was joined by Joseph Quinn (George Harrison), Harris Dickinson (John Lennon), and Barry Keoghan (Ringo Starr). Mendes also serves as an executive producer on “Hamnet” alongside Steven Spielberg. Meanwhile, Buckley attended the Warner Brothers presentation as part of the team for the upcoming Frankenstein-inspired musical “The Bride.” Though initially slated for 2025, the film was recently moved to 2026.