Netflix dives into literary romance with “People We Meet on Vacation,” the first screen adaptation of Emily Henry’s breakout bestseller. Directed by Brett Haley (“Hearts Beat Loud,” “All Together Now”), the film leans into Henry’s knack for breezy charm and heartfelt insight, with Emily Bader starring as Poppy opposite Tom Blyth as Alex.
The story follows the free-spirited Poppy and the rule-bound Alex, best friends for a decade, despite living in different cities. Each summer, they reunite for a week-long vacation, forging traditions that keep their bond alive. But the equilibrium of their relationship falters when they begin to ask what’s been evident to everyone else all along: are they meant to be more than friends? The familiar friends-to-lovers arc comes with international flair, from lively New Orleans jaunts to European escapades, underscoring why the novel’s escapist blend of wit, yearning, and wanderlust connected with readers worldwide.
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Haley has described the adaptation as an attempt to make audiences feel like they’ve gone on vacation alongside Poppy and Alex, while holding tight to the emotional core of Henry’s story. Screenwriters Yulin Kuang, Amos Vernon, and Nunzio Randazzo shaped the script, striking a balance between globe-trotting adventure and quieter moments of vulnerability.
The ensemble is stacked: Sarah Catherine Hook, Lucien Laviscount, Miles Heizer, Jameela Jamil, Tommy Do, Lukas Gage, and Alice Lee, with veterans Molly Shannon and Alan Ruck adding comic bite and emotional gravitas. Backed by producers Wyck Godfrey, Marty Bowen, and Isaac Klausner, the project arrives with the same pedigree that shepherded YA-to-screen hits like “The Fault in Our Stars.”
With a script by Kuang, Vernon, and Randazzo, and production by Wyck Godfrey, Marty Bowen, and Isaac Klausner, the adaptation looks like it will stay true to Henry’s blend of humor and heart.
“People We Meet on Vacation” premieres globally on Netflix on January 9, 2026. Watch the first trailer below.
