.jpg)
All 5 Emily Henry Books Becoming Movies or TV Shows (2026 Update)
- Joao Nsita
- 14 hours ago
- 9 min read
If you have stepped foot inside a bookstore, scrolled through "BookTok," or browsed a summer reading list anytime in the past four years, you have undoubtedly seen the brightly colored, illustrated covers of an Emily Henry novel. Emily Henry is the undisputed modern queen of the romantic comedy book genre. Since publishing her smash hit Beach Read in the summer of 2020, she has essentially created her own sub-genre of witty, emotionally resonant, and incredibly popular romance books, publishing a highly anticipated bestseller every single year.
Naturally, Hollywood noticed. In a massive sweeping trend that proves the romantic comedy is far from dead, it has been confirmed that all five of Emily Henry's most recent adult romance novels are being adapted for the screen. While the Writers' and Actors' strikes of previous years caused some temporary delays in casting and production, 2026 is officially shaping up to be the year of Emily Henry cinematic universes. With multiple studios, including Netflix and 20th Century Studios, backing these projects, fans are eagerly anticipating seeing their favorite literary couples brought to life.
From the recently released People We Meet on Vacation to the highly anticipated Beach Read, we are breaking down everything you need to know about the upcoming Emily Henry book adaptations. Grab your favorite bookmark and let’s dive into the details of who is starring, writing, and directing these romantic comedies.
Support our work and donate here to keep the romance recommendations coming: https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/donate
6 Related Articles from That Love Podcast You'll Love
5. Funny Story
Status: In Development (Feature Film for Netflix) Writer: Emily Henry Producers: Lyrical Media and Ryder Pictures Company
Taking the fifth spot on our list of Emily Henry book adaptations is her most recent 2024 release, Funny Story. Fans of the author will be thrilled to know that Henry herself has committed to penning the screenplay for this feature film adaptation. In January 2026, it was officially announced that this highly anticipated project will be heading straight to Netflix, continuing the streamer's successful partnership with the author's work.
The Plot: Funny Story leans heavily into one of the most beloved romance book tropes: the fake dating scheme fueled by revenge. The story follows Daphne, a children’s librarian whose life is upended when her fiancé, Peter, abruptly breaks up with her. To make matters worse, Peter immediately moves on with his childhood best friend, Petra. Forced out of their shared home, Daphne finds herself in a desperate situation and ends up moving in with Miles, who just happens to be Petra’s ex-boyfriend. To make their respective exes jealous at their upcoming wedding, Daphne and Miles concoct a fake dating plan. However, as they spend more time together, their shared desire for revenge slowly kindles a genuine, unexpected spark.
What to Expect: The adaptation is being produced by Lyrical Media (Alexander Black and Natalie Sellers) and Ryder Picture Company (Aaron Ryder and Andrew Swett). While there is currently no director or cast attached to the project, the fact that Henry is writing the script guarantees that the witty banter and emotional depth of the source material will translate perfectly to the screen.
Want to hear more about the messy, beautiful reality of modern dating? Listen to That Love Podcast here: https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/episodes
4. Happy Place
Status: In Pre-Production (Feature Film for Netflix) Writer: Emily Henry Producers: Nuyorican Productions (Jennifer Lopez)
At number four is the adaptation of Happy Place, a project that recently underwent a significant structural change. Originally optioned by Jennifer Lopez’s Nuyorican Productions to be developed as a multi-episode television series for Netflix (with Bridgerton co-executive producer Leila Cohan attached as showrunner), the strategy shifted in early 2026. Netflix and the production team decided to pivot, choosing to adapt Happy Place into a feature film instead, with Emily Henry stepping in to write the screenplay.
The Plot: Happy Place is a brilliant exploration of the "second chance romance" and "forced proximity" tropes. It follows Harriet and Wyn, a couple who have been perfect together since college. They were the couple everyone envied—until they weren't. They broke up five months ago but haven't told a soul. When their tight-knit friend group calls an emergency vacation meeting at their beloved Maine beach house (which is about to be sold), Harriet and Wyn are forced to attend. To avoid ruining the final trip for their friends, they decide to lie through their teeth, pretend they are still engaged, and share a single bedroom in the small cottage for an entire week.
What to Expect: The shift from a TV series to a film suggests that Netflix views this as a major standalone summer blockbuster. Because the novel deals heavily with themes of growing up, changing friendships, and the profound grief of a breakup, fans are eager to see who will be cast to bring the complex emotional dynamic of Harriet and Wyn to life.
3. Book Lovers
Status: In Development (Feature Film) Writer: Sarah Heyward Producers: Tango
Securing the third spot is Book Lovers, the 2022 novel that arguably cemented Emily Henry as the reigning champion of the modern rom-com. In March 2023, production company Tango announced its intent to adapt the novel into a feature film. Sarah Heyward, known for her Emmy-winning work writing and producing HBO’s Girls and Amazon's Modern Love, is attached to write the script.
The Plot: Book Lovers is a brilliant, meta-commentary on the romance genre itself. It follows Nora Stephens, a cutthroat, fiercely protective literary agent in New York City who knows she is the "Ice Queen" archetype—the woman the hero usually dumps before finding his true love in a small town. Convinced by her pregnant sister to take a month-long holiday in Sunshine Falls, North Carolina, Nora repeatedly bumps into Charlie Lastra, a brooding, equally cynical book editor from the city. They have met before, and it was a disaster. However, as they keep running into each other in a series of coincidences that no self-respecting editor would allow in a novel, they begin to unravel the carefully constructed narratives they have written about their own lives.
What to Expect: Book Lovers is beloved for its sharp, fast-paced dialogue and its subversion of the Hallmark movie tropes. With Sarah Heyward attached to write, fans can expect an adaptation that maintains the novel's biting humor while exploring the deep, emotional bond between the two lead characters. No casting announcements have been made yet, but "fancasts" for Nora and Charlie constantly dominate BookTok.
Take a break from reading and stream our latest podcast episodes full of relationship advice and love stories here! https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/episodes
2. Beach Read
Status: In Pre-Production (Feature Film for 20th Century Studios) Director & Writer: Yulin Kuang
Starring: Phoebe Dynevor (January Andrews)
At number two is the book that started the Emily Henry phenomenon: Beach Read. This adaptation is currently moving forward at 20th Century Studios with Original Film producing. Yulin Kuang—who adapted People We Meet on Vacation and recently published her own hit romance novel, How to End a Love Story—is attached to both write the screenplay and direct the feature film.
The Plot: Beach Read tells the story of two complete opposites who happen to be acclaimed authors suffering from debilitating writer's block. January Andrews is a bestselling romance writer who no longer believes in love after a devastating family betrayal. Augustus Everett is an acclaimed literary fiction author who writes bleak, realistic novels and thinks romance is a joke. They have known each other since grad school, where they were bitter rivals. When they unexpectedly end up as neighbors in adjacent beach houses on Lake Michigan for the summer, they strike a deal to swap genres to cure their writer's block. January must write the next Great American Novel, and Augustus must write a happily-ever-after romance.
What to Expect: This adaptation is highly anticipated because it is the only project so far to confirm a major casting choice. Deadline confirmed that Bridgerton star Phoebe Dynevor has been cast as the female lead, January Andrews. Dynevor is a perfect choice to capture January's blend of hopeless romanticism and cynical heartbreak. Fans are currently holding their breath to see who will be cast opposite her as the brooding Augustus.
1. People We Meet on Vacation
Status: Released (January 9, 2026 - Streaming on Netflix) Director: Brett Haley Writer: Yulin Kuang
Starring: Emily Bader (Poppy) and Tom Blyth (Alex)
Taking the number one spot is People We Meet on Vacation, which holds the prestigious title of being the very first Emily Henry novel to go into production and be released to the public. Produced by 3000 Pictures and Temple Hill, the film officially arrived on Netflix on January 9, 2026, marking a massive milestone for the author's cinematic universe.
The Plot: The film follows the beloved "friends-to-lovers" trope, centering on Alex and Poppy. On paper, they have absolutely nothing in common. Poppy is a wildly spontaneous travel writer who lives in New York City; Alex is a highly structured, khaki-wearing teacher who prefers to stay home with a good book in their small Ohio hometown. Despite their differences, they have been best friends since a fateful car ride home from college.
For a decade, they have taken one glorious week of summer vacation together every single year. That is, until a mysterious incident ruined everything, and they didn't speak for two years. Desperate to fix their fractured relationship, Poppy convinces Alex to take one last vacation together to clear the air.
The Execution: Directed by Brett Haley (known for adapting Looking for Alaska and All the Bright Places), the film successfully captures the wistful, nostalgic tone of the book. Starring Emily Bader as Poppy and Tom Blyth (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes) as Alex, the chemistry between the two leads crackles on screen. Screenwriter Yulin Kuang managed to perfectly distill the novel's time-jumping narrative into a cohesive, deeply romantic feature film that set a high bar for all subsequent Emily Henry adaptations.
Conclusion
The transition of Emily Henry's novels from the bestseller lists to the screen is a massive win for fans of the romantic comedy genre. For years, the traditional rom-com was largely abandoned by major studios, but the undeniable success of Henry's witty, emotionally intelligent books has proven that audiences are desperate for high-quality love stories.
Whether you are excited to see Phoebe Dynevor tackle the cynical heartbreak of Beach Read, or you have already watched People We Meet on Vacation three times on Netflix, 2026 is an incredible year to be a romance fan. With Emily Henry herself heavily involved in writing the screenplays for Funny Story and Happy Place, fans can rest easy knowing that the unique voice, humor, and heart that made these books so special will be preserved in their cinematic forms.
Keep your eyes peeled for more casting announcements, grab a cozy blanket, and get ready to fall in love with these characters all over again on the big screen!
If you loved this guide and want to help us keep bringing you the best entertainment news and relationship advice, please consider donating here: https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/donate
For deep dives into love, dating, and everything in between, listen to That Love Podcast here! https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/episodes
More Articles from That Love Podcast You'll Love
10 FAQs About Emily Henry Book Adaptations
1. Are all of Emily Henry's books becoming movies? Yes! As of 2026, all five of her adult romance novels—Beach Read, People We Meet on Vacation, Book Lovers, Happy Place, and Funny Story—have been optioned and are in various stages of development for film adaptations.
2. Where can I watch the People We Meet on Vacation movie? People We Meet on Vacation was released as a feature film on Netflix on January 9, 2026. It stars Emily Bader as Poppy and Tom Blyth as Alex.
3. Is Happy Place going to be a TV show or a movie? Originally, Jennifer Lopez’s Nuyorican Productions intended to adapt Happy Place into a television series for Netflix. However, in January 2026, it was announced that the project would instead be developed as a feature film, with Emily Henry writing the script.
4. Who is playing January in the Beach Read movie? Phoebe Dynevor, best known for her role as Daphne in Netflix’s Bridgerton, has been officially cast to play the lead role of romance author January Andrews in the 20th Century Studios adaptation.
5. Is Emily Henry writing the scripts for her movies? Yes, she is highly involved! Emily Henry has officially signed on to write the screenplays for the feature film adaptations of both Funny Story and Happy Place.
6. Who is directing the Beach Read movie? Yulin Kuang is attached to direct and write the screenplay for Beach Read. Kuang also wrote the adapted screenplay for the People We Meet on Vacation film.
7. Has casting been announced for Book Lovers? As of early 2026, no official casting announcements have been made for the roles of Nora Stephens and Charlie Lastra in the Book Lovers adaptation, though it is currently in development with Tango.
8. Which streaming service will have the Emily Henry movies? Netflix is currently the home for the majority of these adaptations. They hold the rights to People We Meet on Vacation, Happy Place, and Funny Story. Beach Read is being produced by 20th Century Studios (which implies a potential Hulu release later), and the distributor for Book Lovers has not been fully confirmed.
9. Do I need to read the books before watching the movies? No, you don't need to! Each movie is designed to be a standalone romantic comedy. However, reading the books beforehand offers a deeper understanding of the characters' internal thoughts and the specific banter that makes Emily Henry's writing so beloved.
10. What genre are Emily Henry's books considered? Emily Henry writes contemporary adult romance. Her books are widely celebrated for blending classic romantic comedy tropes (like enemies-to-lovers and fake dating) with deeper, emotional themes surrounding grief, family trauma, and personal growth.
Comments