Netflix has unveiled the first look at People We Meet on Vacation, the upcoming adaptation of Emily Henry’s bestseller. The story follows Poppy and Alex, best friends for a decade, who, despite living in different cities, spend every summer together. Over a decade of trips, their relationship changes, and they start to question if their long-standing friendship could actually be something more.
People We Meet on Vacation is directed by Brett Haley and stars The Hunger Games alum Tom Blyth and My Lady Jane‘s Emily Bader, alongside Sarah Catherine Hook, Lucien Laviscount, Miles Heizer, Jameela Jamil, Tommy Do, Lukas Gage, Alice Lee, Molly Shannon, and Alan Ruck. It is produced by Temple Hill’s Wyck Godfrey, Marty Bowen, and Isaac Klausner, and 3000 Pictures, in ᴀssociation with Harper Collins Publishers.
The first-look images, released by Netflix, capture the playful energy of the main characters’ vacations and hint at the delicate shift in their relationship. The images see Poppy (Bader) and Alex (Blyth) in warm, sun-drenched settings, and offer a glimpse into the Palm Springs trip that serves as the backdrop for the story’s climax.
The stills also show Alex and Poppy presumably at Alex’s brother’s wedding, as well as snapsH๏τs of some of their trips around the world. People We Meet on Vacation comes out on Netflix January 9, 2026. Check out the first-look images below:
What People We Meet On Vacation’s New Images Reveal About The Upcoming Film
This first look showcases the blend of lighthearted adventure and intimacy that defines Emily Henry’s novel, which sold more than two million copies in the U.S., becoming Henry’s most successful book to date. In the book, Alex and Poppy share a drunken kiss in Croatia, which causes them to stop talking for two years, and they are now trying to reconnect in Palm Springs.
This can be seen in the images, with snapsH๏τs of what can be ᴀssumed is the Croatia trip, giving audiences hope that this will be a faithful adaptation. Poppy exhibits her signature free-spirited personality, wearing clothing that reflects her love for spontaneity and travel. On the other hand, Alex appears more reserved and composed, embodying his structured, reliable nature.
These visuals immediately establish their push-and-pull dynamic. Then there are the story’s vibrant, travel-inspired backdrops, from outdoor gatherings to cozy moments that capture the charm of the trips that bring the pair together every year. Blyth and Bader seemingly have good on-screen chemistry, making People We Meet on Vacation one of the most anticipated romcoms of 2026.
Our Take On People We Meet On Vacation’s First-Look Images
The carefully curated and talented ensemble cast, along with an experienced creative team, suggests that this book-to-film adaptation will transform a fan-favorite into a visual love letter to slow-burning romance.
If People We Meet on Vacation lives up to the charm these images suggest, it will be a standout addition to Netflix’s romance catalog. The balance of playful chemistry, scenic backdrops, and emotionally charged themes could turn the film into a heartwarming favorite, just like Henry’s novel.