Angel Studios has officially unveiled the full-length theatrical trailer for Hershey, a historical drama chronicling the life of Milton S. Hershey and the founding of the iconic American chocolate empire. Directed by Mark Waters, the film stars Finn Wittrock as the titular confectioner and Alexandra Daddario as his wife, Catherine "Kitty" Hershey. The release of this comprehensive trailer marks a significant shift in the film’s marketing campaign, following an early teaser that garnered a polarizing reception from audiences and industry analysts alike. This latest footage provides a more grounded and expansive look at the production, emphasizing the narrative’s focus on perseverance, industrial innovation, and the philanthropic legacy of the Hershey family.
Set against the backdrop of late 19th-century Pennsylvania, Hershey explores the arduous journey of a man who faced multiple professional bankruptcies before revolutionizing the confectionery industry. The film is scheduled for a wide theatrical release during the Thanksgiving holiday window in November 2026, a strategic placement intended to capitalize on the family-oriented themes of the story.
A Narrative of Industrial Persistence and Innovation
The newly released trailer, introduced by the tagline "A small piece is all it takes," pivots away from the stylistic choices of previous promotional materials to focus on the historical gravity of Milton Hershey’s mission. The film depicts the era when chocolate was considered a luxury item, inaccessible to the average working-class family. Hershey’s central ambition—the perfection of a recipe for affordable milk chocolate—serves as the primary catalyst for the plot.
The story begins with Hershey’s early struggles in Philadelphia, where he opened his first candy shop in 1873 at the age of 18. After several years of struggle and eventual failure, the narrative follows his subsequent attempts to establish businesses in Chicago, New Orleans, and New York City. The turning point occurs with the founding of the Lancaster Caramel Company in 1883, which provided the financial stability necessary for Hershey to pivot his focus toward chocolate. The film culminates in the creation of the first Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bar in 1900 and the establishment of the massive factory in Derry Church, Pennsylvania—the town that would eventually bear his name.
The Creative Vision of Mark Waters
Director Mark Waters, known for a diverse filmography that includes Mean Girls, Freaky Friday, and The Spiderwick Chronicles, brings a seasoned hand to this period piece. While Waters has spent much of his career in the realm of contemporary comedy and fantasy, Hershey represents a shift toward biographical drama. In a statement accompanying the trailer release, Waters emphasized that the film is more than a corporate history; it is a character study of a man driven by a sense of social responsibility.
"Just about everyone knows the Hershey name through chocolate, but what immediately drew me to Milton’s story were the obstacles and struggles he overcame to achieve his success," Waters stated. "And then, unlike many wealthy men of his time (and ours), he chose to share that success with the working people and the community around him. That spirit, embodied by the love story between Milton and Catherine Hershey, is the core of our movie, and led to the creation of the still-thriving Milton Hershey School."
The screenplay was penned by T.M. Hayes and Sharon Paul, with story contributions from Waters, Will Hardy, and Bubba Fulcher. The production team includes Mary Aloe, Joshua Harris, Sharon Paul, Mark Tilghman, and Will Hardy.
Cast and Character Dynamics
Finn Wittrock, an Emmy-nominated actor recognized for his work in American Horror Story and The Big Short, portrays Milton S. Hershey. Wittrock’s performance appears to capture the transition from a desperate young entrepreneur to a confident industrialist. Opposite him, Alexandra Daddario (The White Lotus, San Andreas) plays Catherine "Kitty" Hershey. The film highlights Kitty’s influence on Milton’s life, particularly their shared commitment to philanthropy following their inability to have children of their own.
The supporting cast features a robust lineup of character actors, including:
- Alan Ruck: Known for Succession and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
- Richard Kind: A prolific stage and screen actor known for Spin City and Argo.
- David Costabile: Recognized for his roles in Billions and Breaking Bad.
- Heléne Yorke: Star of The Other Two.
The ensemble is tasked with portraying the various business rivals, investors, and community members who populated the burgeoning industrial landscape of Pennsylvania at the turn of the century.
Historical Context and Timeline of the Hershey Empire
To understand the scope of the film, it is essential to examine the historical timeline upon which the script is based. The Hershey Company was not an overnight success, and the film reportedly leans heavily into the decade-long trial-and-error process that defined Milton Hershey’s career.
- 1873: Milton Hershey opens his first confectionery shop in Philadelphia. Despite his hard work, the business closes after six years.
- 1883: After several failed ventures in other cities, Hershey returns to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and establishes the Lancaster Caramel Company. He uses a recipe for milk-based caramels he learned in Denver.
- 1893: Hershey visits the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, where he is fascinated by German chocolate-making machinery. He purchases the equipment and has it shipped to Lancaster.
- 1894: The Hershey Chocolate Company is founded as a subsidiary of his caramel business.
- 1900: Hershey sells the Lancaster Caramel Company for $1 million (a staggering sum at the time) to focus exclusively on chocolate. He begins the search for a location for a new factory that can produce milk chocolate on a mass scale.
- 1903: Construction begins on the Derry Church factory, located in the heart of Pennsylvania dairy country to ensure a fresh supply of milk.
- 1905: The factory is completed, marking the birth of the modern Hershey brand and the company town that included housing, schools, and parks for employees.
Analysis of the "Corporate Origin Story" Genre
The release of Hershey coincides with a growing trend in Hollywood: the "brand biopic." In recent years, audiences have seen a surge of films detailing the origins of famous products and corporations, such as Air (Nike), BlackBerry, The Founder (McDonald’s), and Unfrosted (Pop-Tarts). These films often blend historical facts with dramatized corporate intrigue to explore the American Dream’s complexities.
Hershey distinguishes itself from these titles by focusing on the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era, offering a more classical "rags-to-riches" narrative with a strong emphasis on social welfare. Unlike many industrial titans of the era—often labeled "robber barons"—Hershey is frequently remembered for his paternalistic but benevolent approach to labor relations. The film’s inclusion of the Milton Hershey School, founded in 1909 to provide for orphaned boys, serves as a narrative anchor for this philanthropic theme.
Angel Studios’ Distribution Strategy
Angel Studios, the distributor behind the film, has gained significant industry attention for its unconventional "crowd-amplified" model. After the massive success of Sound of Freedom and The Chosen, the studio has solidified its position as a major player in the production of content that resonates with faith-based and family-oriented demographics.
By scheduling Hershey for a Thanksgiving 2026 release, Angel Studios is positioning the film as a "tentpole" production. The holiday weekend is traditionally one of the most lucrative periods for the domestic box office, and a story about the origins of a beloved American brand is expected to have broad multi-generational appeal. The studio’s marketing strategy focuses on the "inspiring" nature of the story, aiming to attract viewers who prefer uplifting, historical narratives over typical high-concept blockbusters.
Broader Implications and Cultural Impact
The film’s portrayal of the Hershey legacy arrives at a time when the ethics of major corporations are under constant public scrutiny. By highlighting Milton Hershey’s commitment to his workers and his community, the film may spark renewed interest in the "Hershey model" of corporate social responsibility.
The Hershey Company remains one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in the world, and the Milton Hershey School continues to be funded by a trust that holds a significant portion of the company’s voting stock. While the film is an independent production by Angel Studios and not a direct corporate commercial, its success could lead to increased tourism for Hershey, Pennsylvania, and a boost in brand sentiment for the company.
Industry analysts will be watching closely to see if the film can maintain the momentum generated by this new trailer. The transition from the criticized teaser to this polished, historically-focused trailer suggests that the production team is responsive to audience feedback and committed to delivering a high-quality cinematic experience.
As the November 2026 release date approaches, further promotional efforts are expected to highlight the film’s production design, which recreates the turn-of-the-century aesthetic of Pennsylvania’s industrial heartland. For now, the official trailer serves as a promising glimpse into a story that is as much about the resilience of the human spirit as it is about the world’s most famous chocolate bar.
