Netflix has officially announced a release date for one of its most anticipated upcoming rom-coms, starring one of the leads of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Romance and its offshoots have become even more popular over the last few years, with dozens of bestselling contemporary romances, romantic comedies, and mᴀssive romantasy (a blend of romance and fantasy) tomes being picked up by streamers for adaptation.
Of course, streaming giant Netflix is no different, having acquired the rights to several bestselling romance novels, including Jenny Han’s To All The Boys series (all three movies are available to watch on Netflix now), and its upcoming, eye-wateringly expensive adaptation of Callie Hart’s romantasy novel, Quicksilver. There’s more to come, though, and soon, as one summer-themed contemporary romance has set a wintry release date on the platform.
People We Meet On Vacation Will Be Released Next Year
The Movie Is Based On The NYT Bestseller By Emily Henry
The movie adaptation of Emily Henry’s bestselling novel, People We Meet on Vacation, will be released on Netflix on January 9, 2026. People We Meet on Vacation follows routine-follower Alex and footloose and fancy-free Poppy, two unlikely best friends who live miles apart during the year but spend every summer vacation together.
If you’re looking for something with a similar vibe to Nora Ephron’s classic romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally, this is the story for you.
Sadly, their relationship soured two years ago after a heated encounter, and desperate to fix their friendship, Poppy convinces Alex to take one last summer vacation together. Will sparks finally fly between them? The story moves between past summer trips and their present, awkward holiday to Palm Springs, including their very first meeting at the University of Chicago.
If you’re looking for something with a similar vibe to Nora Ephron’s classic romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally, this is the story for you.
Playing Alex is Tom Blyth, star of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Portraying Poppy is Emily Bader, the lead of Prime Video’s historical fantasy romance adaptation My Lady Jane, which was tragically canceled after just one season. Also cast in People We Meet on Vacation are Sarah Catherine Hook, Jameela Jamil, Lucien Laviscount, Lukas Gage, and more.
People We Meet on Vacation is directed by Brett Haley (Hearts Beat Loud, All the Bright Places). The screenplay has been written by Yulin Kuang, Amos Vernon, and Nunzio Randazzo.
Are There More Emily Henry Adaptations In Development?
People We Meet On Vacation Is Far From Henry’s Only Bestseller
So far, Emily Henry has released six adult romance novels, with the latest, Great Big Beautiful Life, published earlier this year in April. The previous five, including People We Meet on Vacation (the second of her adult romance books, published in 2021), Beach Read (2020), Book Lovers (2022), Happy Place (2023), and Funny Story (2024), are all being adapted by various studios.
While most of Henry’s books are being turned into feature films, Happy Place will be turned into a series instead, also produced and released by Netflix. Currently, People We Meet on Vacation is the only adaptation with a confirmed release date. When it’s cold come January, we’ll at least be able to join Alex and Poppy during their sunny summer trips in People We Meet on Vacation, only on Netflix.
