Peter Hujar’s Day, Ira Sachs’ intimate and formally daring portrait of the legendary New York photographer, is officially headed to digital platforms. After a limited theatrical run in late 2025, the acclaimed chamber drama will soon be available for home viewing — and cinephiles have plenty to look forward to.
Here’s a complete breakdown of where to watch Peter Hujar’s Day, its digital release date, what the film is about, cast details, and when it might arrive on subscription streaming services.
Peter Hujar’s Day Streaming Release Date
Following its U.S. theatrical release on November 7, 2025, the film is confirmed for an early 2026 digital release, with January 6, 2026 widely reported as the internal target date for its online debut.
This marks the movie’s official transition from a festival and art-house exclusive to a wider digital audience.
Where to Watch Peter Hujar’s Day Online
Once the film releases digitally, viewers will be able to rent or purchase it on major PVOD/TVOD platforms such as:
- Apple TV
- Amazon Prime Video
- Google Play Movies
- Vudu
- YouTube Movies
Pricing will follow standard new-release rates, and more storefront listings will be confirmed closer to the digital launch.
Will Peter Hujar’s Day Stream on Any Subscription Platforms?
No subscription streaming service has been officially announced yet. However, given Janus Films’ long-standing partnership with Criterion Channel, the film is widely expected to arrive on the platform shortly after its digital release window.
If this follows previous Janus Films patterns, viewers may see:
- Digital rental/purchase – Early January 2026
- Criterion Channel streaming – Early 2026 (likely soon after digital release)
This aligns with Criterion’s history of showcasing contemporary festival favorites and restorations from Janus Films’ catalog.
What Is Peter Hujar’s Day About?
Ira Sachs’ film is a dramatic reimagining of a real 1974 interview between photographer Peter Hujar and writer Linda Rosenkrantz. Set almost entirely inside a Manhattan apartment, the movie transforms their long conversation into a cinematic two-hander.
As Hujar (played by Ben Whishaw) recounts his previous day hour-by-hour — from morning rituals to late-night street sounds — Rosenkrantz (Rebecca Hall) asks simple but probing questions. These prompts unravel stories of queer identity, art, friendship, desire, memory, and New York’s downtown cultural scene.
Shot on textural 16mm film and running a tight 76 minutes, the movie becomes:
- A portrait of Hujar’s inner world
- A time capsule of 1970s New York
- A meditation on creativity and intimacy
- A unique experiment in adapting real conversations into cinema
Rather than a traditional biopic, it focuses on gesture, tone, voice, and the fragile act of self-revelation.
Cast of Peter Hujar’s Day
The film features two central performances:
- Ben Whishaw as Peter Hujar
- Rebecca Hall as Linda Rosenkrantz
Their dynamic anchors the entire film, with reviewers calling it one of Whishaw’s finest, most restrained performances and one of Hall’s most emotionally perceptive roles.
Festival Run & Critical Reception
Peter Hujar’s Day has already built a strong reputation across international screenings. It has shown at:
- Film at Lincoln Center
- The Brattle Theatre
- Various curated art-cinema showcases
Critics have praised the film as:
- “A mesmerizing time warp”
- “A daring cinematic experiment”
- “A quietly radical portrait of an artist”
- “One of the most distinctive films of 2025”
It has appeared on numerous year-end lists and has been widely embraced by queer cinema communities, art lovers, and contemporary film critics.
FAQs
1. What is the digital release date for Peter Hujar’s Day?
Early 2026, with January 6 commonly cited as the target date.
2. Where can I rent or buy the film online?
Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, and other major platforms.
3. Will it stream on Criterion Channel?
While unconfirmed, it is very likely based on Janus Films’ past releases.
4. What is the film’s runtime?
76 minutes.
5. Is it a traditional biopic?
No — it is a dramatic rendering of a real interview, presented as an intimate chamber drama.
Conclusion
With a January 2026 digital rollout and likely Criterion Channel premiere soon after, Peter Hujar’s Day is finally becoming accessible to audiences beyond the festival circuit. For fans of queer cinema, New York history, artist biographies, or the work of Ira Sachs, Ben Whishaw, and Rebecca Hall, this intimate and beautifully crafted drama will be a must-watch as it transitions into the streaming landscape. Stay connected to TrendingNewsBuzz.com for more updates on streaming releases, indie film coverage, and exclusive entertainment news.
