JIMMY, a feature film telling the untold true story of Jimmy Stewart, opens in theaters nationwide on November 6, 2026, through a partnership between Burns and Co. Entertainment and Fathom Entertainment for U.S. theatrical distribution. KJ Apa, best known for “Riverdale,” stars as Stewart in a film that covers the most transformative stretch of the beloved actor’s life, from his Academy Award win for The Philadelphia Story through his service as a combat pilot in World War II and his return home to film It’s a Wonderful Life.
The film centers on the years that defined Jimmy Stewart not just as an actor but as a man. Stewart won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1940 for The Philadelphia Story and then stepped away from Hollywood entirely to serve in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He flew 20 combat missions over Europe, rising to the rank of colonel. The film depicts his return home broken and uncertain before he took on the role of George Bailey in Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life, one of the most enduring performances in American cinema.
Director Aaron Burns, who co-wrote the screenplay with Justin Strawhand, described the film as a story for all audiences and one that speaks to the importance of figures like Stewart in American life. Kelly Steward Harcourt, Jimmy Stewart’s daughter, serves as an Executive Producer on the film.
Alongside KJ Apa in the lead role, the ensemble includes Kara Killmer as Lady Julia, Neal McDonough as Stewart’s father Alexander, Max Casella as Frank Capra, Jason Alexander as Louis B. Mayer, Christopher McDonald as Lionel Barrymore, Sarah Drew as Hedda Hopper, Rob Riggle as Colonel Terrill, Julian Works as Second Lieutenant Martinez, Jemma Donovan as Ginger Rogers, and Jen Lilley as Gloria Stewart.
Fathom Entertainment is handling the wide nationwide theatrical release, a significant distribution commitment for an independently produced film. Fathom CEO Ray Nutt called JIMMY a special film with genuine heart and strong performances that bring both Hollywood’s golden age and the World War II battlefields to life on screen. Nutt is set to host KJ Apa at CinemaCon on April 16 and debut footage from the film to theater industry attendees at the Filmmakers Luncheon Program.
For fans who discover Stewart through JIMMY, Fathom is also bringing It’s a Wonderful Life back to theaters beginning December 18 for the film’s 80th anniversary, creating a natural programming pair across the holiday season.
Burns and Co. announced a partnership with Vet Tix, a veteran-led nonprofit, to provide donated tickets to veterans and their families to see JIMMY in theaters. The campaign aims to distribute one million donated tickets through corporate, charitable, and community donations. All donations to the campaign are fully tax-deductible and go entirely toward donated tickets. More information is available at the JIMMY movie website.
Tickets for JIMMY will go on sale in September 2026 online and at participating theater box offices. The film opens on November 6, 2026. Fans can sign up to be notified when tickets become available through Fathom Entertainment’s website. More information about the film is available at jimmythemovie.com.
Jimmy Stewart Biopic JIMMY Is Coming to Theaters Nationwide on November 6, 2026
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