The American Revolution A film by Ken Burns Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt

Premieres Nov. 16, 2025

The American Revolution was at once a war for independence, a civil war, and a world war. It impacted millions – from Canada to the Caribbean and beyond. Few escaped its violence.

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION examines how America’s founding turned the world upside-down.

Thirteen British colonies on the Atlantic Coast rose in rebellion, won their independence, and established a new form of government that radically reshaped the continent and inspired centuries of democratic movements around the globe.

An expansive look at the virtues and contradictions of the war and the birth of the United States of America, the film follows dozens of figures from a wide variety of backgrounds. Through their individual stories, viewers experience the war through the memories of the men and women who experienced it: the rank-and-file Continental soldiers and American militiamen (some of them teenagers), Patriot political and military leaders, British Army officers, American Loyalists, Native soldiers and civilians, enslaved and free African Americans, German soldiers in the British service, French and Spanish allies, and various civilians living in North America, Loyalist as well as Patriot, including many made refugees by the war.

The Revolution began a movement for people around the world to imagine new and better futures for themselves, their nations, and for humanity. It declared American independence with promises that we continue to strive for. The American Revolution opened the door to advance civil liberties and human rights, and it asked questions that we are still trying to answer today. Read the full press release

Official Trailer | The Revolution that Changed the World
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, a new six-part, 12-hour documentary directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt examines how America’s founding turned the world upside-down.
Extended Trailer 2m 20s
Official Trailer | The Revolution that Changed the World
Extended Trailer
Official Trailer | The Revolution that Changed the World
2m 20s
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, a new six-part, 12-hour documentary directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt exami
Saratoga: A Psychological Turning Point
First Look Clip
Saratoga: A Psychological Turning Point
33s
Historian Stephen Conway on the psychological impact of Saratoga on the British. The American Revolution premieres Novembe
Bunker Hill Aftermath, June 17, 1775
First Look Clip
Bunker Hill Aftermath, June 17, 1775
57s
The Battle of Bunker Hill was 250 years ago. On June 17, 1775, the British took the high ground, but at tremendous cost. T
The First Shot
First Look Clip
The First Shot
43s
A single shot echoes on Lexington Green, and the American Revolution begins.
Sounds of the Revolution
Inside Look
Sounds of the Revolution
5m 13s
What did the America sound like during the Revolutionary era? The filmmakers discuss how they tapped into the sounds and m
'One Common Cause'
Preview
'One Common Cause'
30s
Historian Christopher Brown. The American Revolution premieres November 16.
Voices of the Revolution
Inside Look
Voices of the Revolution
10m 33s
Filmmakers Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt on how they used the letters, diaries, and memories of both well-k
'The American Revolution Changed The World'
Preview
'The American Revolution Changed The World'
30s
Historian Stephen Conway. The American Revolution premieres November 16.
Finding Facts
Inside Look
Finding Facts
3m 57s
Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt discuss how the story of The American Revolution came together.
'We Are in the Very Midst of a Revolution'
Preview
'We Are in the Very Midst of a Revolution'
30s
John Adams, read by Paul Giamatti. The American Revolution premieres November 16.
People Just Like Us
Inside Look
People Just Like Us
3m 37s
Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt discuss how demystifying the people of the Revolution can help us understand w
'The Extraordinary Thing About the Patriot Side'
Preview
'The Extraordinary Thing About the Patriot Side'
30s
Historian Jane Kamensky. The American Revolution premieres November 16.
Our Origin Story
Inside Look
Our Origin Story
6m 18s
Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt on the challenges of telling America's origin story, and how, by examining th
'No One Expects Country Farmers Are Going to Hold Off a Trained Army'
Preview
'No One Expects Country Farmers Are Going to Hold Off a Trained Army'
30s
Historian Stacey Schiff. The American Revolution premieres November 16.
Making the Revolution
Inside Look
Making the Revolution
6m 29s
Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt on how they crafted imagery to help tell the story of the American Revolution
'We Would Not Have Had a Country Without Him'
Preview
'We Would Not Have Had a Country Without Him'
20s
Historian Annette Gordon-Reed. The American Revolution premieres November 16.
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Events

Beginning in March 2025, the filmmakers will be holding screenings and having conversations with the general public, teachers, students and others. More information will be available soon, and additional markets will be added for 2026. Events are currently planned in: 

  • Richmond, VA | March 23, 2025 
  • Williamsburg, VA | March 25, 2025
  • Boston, MA | April 16, 2025
  • Lexington and Concord, MA | April 17, 2025
  • Charleston, SC | May 14, 2025
  • Raleigh, NC | May 15, 2025
  • Atlanta, GA | May 18, 2025
  • Dallas, TX | June 3, 2025
  • Austin, TX | June 4, 2025 
  • Houston, TX | June 5, 2025
  • Mount Vernon, VA | June 14, 2025
  • Charlottesville, VA | July 3, 2025
  • Seattle, WA | July 14, 2025
  • Portland, OR | July 15, 2025
  • San Francisco, CA | July 16, 2025
  • Los Angeles, CA | July 17, 2025
  • Hanover, NH | July 25, 2025
  • Saratoga/Albany, NY | September 10, 2025
    Event Info/Buy Tickets
  • Newark, NJ | September 17, 2025
    Event Info/Buy Tickets
  • New York, NY | September 18, 2025
    Event Info/Buy Tickets
  • Yorktown, VA | September 20, 2025
    Event Info/Buy Tickets
  • Chicago, IL | September 25, 2025
    Event Info/Buy Tickets
  • Detroit, MI | September 26, 2025
    Event Info/Buy Tickets
  • Philadelphia, PA/Camden, NJ | October 9, 2025
    Event Info/Buy Tickets

  • Cincinnati, OH | October 12, 2025
  • Providence, RI | October 16, 2025
    Event Info/Buy Tickets
  • Washington, DC/Mount Vernon, VA | October 29, 2025
  • Gettysburg, PA | April 3-4, 2026
    Event Info/Buy Tickets
  • Concord, NH | June 9, 2026
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