Hershey
Biographical film about Milton S. Hershey, founder of the Hershey Chocolate Company, spanning nearly five decades of his life from the 1870s to late 1910s. Stars Finn Wittrock as Milton Hershey and Alexandra Daddario as Catherine "Kitty" Hershey. Directed by Mark Waters (Mean Girls, Freaky Friday).
About
Hershey is a biographical film tracing the remarkable life of Milton S. Hershey, who overcame repeated early business failures to build one of the world's most recognizable candy brands and then channeled his fortune into education and community development. Finn Wittrock stars as the driven confectioner and Alexandra Daddario plays his wife Catherine "Kitty" Hershey, with Richard Kind as his first employer Joseph Royer, Alan Ruck as his father, and David Costabile as fictional rival candy maker Tobias Thornhill. Mark Waters (Mean Girls, Freaky Friday) directs from a script spanning nearly five decades, from the 1870s to the 1910s. Principal photography wrapped after over seven weeks of filming across 17 locations throughout Pennsylvania, Hershey's home state. The production created nearly 2,300 period costumes -- including 2,000 for the approximately 1,500 background actors recruited primarily from the local community -- and used thousands of pieces of actual Hershey chocolate throughout the shoot. The film is produced by Dandelion Media in partnership with the Hershey Trust and Hershey Entertainment and Resorts. Scheduled for release in 2026 to coincide with America's 250th anniversary, the film positions Hershey's rags-to-riches story as a quintessentially American narrative. For Pennsylvania location-spotters, the production's extensive use of the state's historic towns and period architecture provides a fascinating look at how the Keystone State doubles for its own 19th-century past.
Filming Locations
2 locationsHarmony, Butler County
Harmony, PA
Town transformed to 19th century look. Streets covered in mulch for dirt roads. Horses and carriages used.
Pittsburgh
May 15, 2025 - Jun 20, 2025
South Side Pittsburgh
East Carson Street, South Side, Pittsburgh, PA
Period piece set 1870s-1910s. Street transformed with horses, dirt roads, period costumes. Mark Waters directing.
Pittsburgh
May 12, 2025 - Jun 27, 2025
Sources
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