The Netflix film adaptation of Emily Henry's bestselling romance novel 'People We Meet on Vacation' arrives on January 9, 2026, starring Emily Bader and Tom Blyth as best friends Poppy and Alex. Directed by Brett Haley, the movie explores their decade-long summer vacations and evolving relationship. Author Emily Henry, in a recent interview, shared her excitement about the project and its potential to boost romance adaptations.
Emily Henry's romance novels have captivated readers, with her second book, 'People We Meet on Vacation,' selling over 2 million copies and spending 69 weeks on the New York Times Best Sellers list. The story follows Poppy, a vibrant travel enthusiast, and Alex, a more reserved hometown loyalist, who meet in college and embark on annual summer trips despite their differences. Their bond faces a test during a disastrous outing that leads to a two-year silence, culminating in a reunion at a wedding where long-suppressed feelings surface.
The adaptation, the first of Henry's five novels to reach screens, is directed by Brett Haley and written by Yulin Kuang, Amos Vernon, and Nunzio Randazzo. Kuang is also adapting Henry's 'Beach Read' for film. The cast includes Emily Bader as Poppy, fresh from 'My Lady Jane,' and Tom Blyth as Alex, known from 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes' and 'Billy the Kid.' Supporting roles feature Sarah Catherine Hook, Jameela Jamil, Lucien Laviscount, Lukas Gage, Alan Ruck, and Molly Shannon.
In an IndieWire interview, Henry emphasized key scenes she insisted on including, such as the balcony moment, a humorous condom scene with Poppy's mom played by Molly Shannon, and a pregnancy scare. 'The big thing really was character,' she said. 'I never wanted it to be oversimplified to the point of she’s just “afraid of commitment.”'
Henry praised the leads' chemistry, discovered during a Zoom read, and Netflix's support for romance. 'Netflix, they are champions of the romance genre,' she noted, highlighting repeat viewings like 'To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.' She hopes the film, alongside successes like 'Heated Rivalry,' will validate romance as valuable art. 'For a long time, romance has not been viewed as meaningful, significant, valuable art unless it is tragic,' Henry observed.
Henry is also adapting her novel 'Funny Story' herself, calling it a 'Jenga thing' of pulling elements. The PG-13 film premieres on Netflix, offering fans a nonlinear journey through Poppy and Alex's relationship.