Sometimes, the most unexpected journeys lead to the most unforgettable stories. There is a certain magic in the way two lives, seemingly worlds apart, can intersect and create a tapestry of moments that linger long after the trip ends. The tales of People We Meet On Vacation
, set against the backdrop of sun-drenched escapes and whispered confessions, promise to bring a fresh breeze to the romantic comedy landscape. It teases the kind of emotional rollercoaster that will have viewers packing their bags for love without ever even leaving the couch, thanks to Netflix
If friendship is the suitcase, love might just be a souvenir that one might end up putting in a locket to look at long after the trip comes to an end.
The big reveal: Netflix’s newest romantic adventure
Netflix is officially rolling out the red carpet for People We Meet on Vacation
, premiering early in 2026. Set to visualize Emily Henry’s ‘People We Meet on Vacation’, this film adaptation brings to life a story about two best friends, Poppy and Alex, whom Henry was “an anxious wreck about who would play these characters”,
. The story chronicles the friends’ annual vacations together that are anything but ordinary. Their friendship is a delicate dance of timing and unspoken feelings, perfectly suited for any fanatic of a heartfelt, witty romance.
Emily Henry talks about the movie adaptation of People We Meet On Vacation, Tom Blyth and Emily Bader’s chemistry read and how they have forever changed the characters in her mind.
via Good Morning America on Instagram. pic.twitter.com/4efWt35Cpx
— written by emily henry (@emilyhenryverse) April 21, 2025
Meet the cast: faces to fall for
Leading the charge are Emily Bader
as the vibrant, adventure-loving Poppy Wright
and Tom Blyth,
known co-star to recently redeemed Rachel Zegler
; as the introspective, bookish Alex Nilsen
. Their chemistry promises to capture the nuanced push and pull of a friendship teetering on the edge of something more. Supporting them is a stellar ensemble including Sarah Catherine Hook
, Jameela Jamil, Lucien Laviscount, Lukas Gage
, Molly Shannon,
and Alan Ruck
. All neatly tucked with Brett Haley’s
directing, known for its sensitive touch in romantic storytelling.
Like two stones in the sand, sparks that fly when opposites attract. And yet when it comes to love, despite the travel bugs bite, the imminent question of ‘what if’ hangs pleasantly in the salty air.
Plot Points: A Vacation Like No Other
The story follows Poppy, a spirited writer who seeks escape in travel
, and Alex, a grounded high school teacher who prefers the comfort of home
. Each summer, for a decade, they reunite for a week-long vacation, a tradition filled with laughter, late-night talks, and the kind of awkward silences that say more than words ever could. But this year, their carefully balanced friendship faces its biggest test yet. As the line between friendship and romance blurs, readers had been invited to ponder if the people we meet on vacation might just be the ones we were meant to love all along, and now so will the viewers.
Alan Ruck talking about his upcoming role in PWMOV: “I just played a dad in a romcom in a movie called People We Meet On Vacation. That will come out next year.”
Do we think Poppy’s dad or Alex’s dad? pic.twitter.com/66V790A4P1
— written by emily henry (@emilyhenryverse) November 14, 2024
Mark Your Calendars: When to Watch
Prepare to press play on January 9, 2026,
when People We Meet on Vacation
lands exclusively on Netflix. This film is set to kick off the streaming giant’s 2026 slate with a fresh take on the romantic comedy genre. Whether you are a hopeless romantic or a skeptic of love stories, this film promises a journey filled with charm, wit, and the kind of heartfelt moments that make you believe in the magic of timing, and maybe, just maybe, in the serendipity of the people we meet along the way.
Read More: 10 Must-Watch Romantic Comedies That Scored Big on Rotten Tomatoes
Are you all packed for this jet-speeding trip down the turbulences of a decade long love? Let us know in the comments below!