Hamilton Fans Say They Couldn’t Hear Movie Over Singalongs (Exclusive)

Moviegoers heading to see Hamilton in theaters expected to experience the groundbreaking musical in all its glory. Instead, many found themselves drowned out by fellow fans singing at full volume.

The viral moment first gained traction when TikTok user @baily.bashh shared her disappointment. Her post reads, “POV: You went to enjoy Hamilton in theaters and didn’t hear 1 song,” a frustration that instantly resonated with thousands of fans.

But another theatergoer, Samantha S. (@samspound), tells PEOPLE her experience wasn’t as chaotic as social media made it seem. “It was pretty much like any other movie, but people were singing, some were upset about it, and a couple of people complained,” she explains.

Things escalated when the staff stopped the movie to address the crowd directly. “We were frustrated they paused it in the middle,” Samantha shares. “No one was really singing that loud, and no one was really yelling, so I thought people were being dramatic.”

She says the room reacted with more confusion than anger. “Everyone was looking around like, ‘What?’ ” Samantha recalls. “It could have been said during the intermission instead of stopping the movie.”

During the break, another announcement only muddied the rules. “The first time they said don’t sing, then during intermission they said okay, you can sing, just not too loud,” Samantha says. “It wasn’t made very clear what the expectations were.”

Even after seeing the film again in a different theater, she notices how much the vibe varies. “The second time, nobody sang at all,” Samantha shares. “So it really just depends on the theater and the crowd.”

PEOPLE has reached out to AMC for comment.

As a longtime fan, she understands both sides. “I get that it’s fun to sing, especially because the show has been around for so long,” she says. “But I also get that some people want to just hear the performers on screen without distractions.”

Her TikTok clips, which captured both announcements, sparked heated debate online. “I just thought it was funny that they paused a movie to make that announcement,” Samantha tells PEOPLE. “But then it got almost 2 million views, and suddenly everyone was fighting in the comments.

While audiences are debating the rules inside the theater, the show’s creator appears to be encouraging a different vibe. On the official Hamilton Instagram page, Lin-Manuel Miranda is seen telling fans to turn up and have fun.

He has even surprised fans in person. In one clip, Miranda sings alongside Thayne Jasperson as the film plays in the background, beaming as the crowd erupts in cheers.

The production’s social media has highlighted singalong screenings where the atmosphere is designed for audience participation. Videos show fans embracing the chance to perform every lyric together.

Samantha S. thinks the solution is simple. “My advice to fans is feel the vibe, but be respectful — don’t scream or dance in front of the screen.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

But for others, like Baily, the result is far from enjoyable. “It felt like I was at a middle school homecoming,” the caption of her TikTok reads, underscoring the disappointment of sitting through a performance drowned out by the crowd.

Hamilton was released in theaters on September 5, 2025.