Netflix has shared the first look photos and now the official teaser trailer for People We Meet on Vacation, Emily Henry’s beloved friends-to-lovers romance coming to screens on January 9, 2026.
This is Henry’s first book to be adapted for film, a milestone for the author behind modern hits like Beach Read, Book Lovers, and Happy Place. The streamer is positioning the movie as one of its key romantic releases of early 2026.
Watch the Trailer
Netflix has now released the first teaser trailer, giving fans a quick glimpse of Poppy and Alex’s complicated friendship across sun-drenched destinations. The teaser emphasizes the travel-filled romance and the moment their long friendship turns into something more.
The trailer drop signals the start of Netflix’s full marketing push, alongside a movie tie-in edition of the novel arriving in stores ahead of the premiere.
Meet Poppy and Alex
At the heart of the story are Poppy (Emily Bader) and Alex (Tom Blyth), best friends who, for ten summers, have traveled the world together despite their opposite personalities. Poppy is adventurous and spontaneous; Alex is methodical and quietly loyal.
One trip forces them to face feelings they’ve long buried, putting their decade-long friendship on the line.
Director Brett Haley (Hearts Beat Loud, All the Bright Places) said of the adaptation:
“This is a movie that doesn’t just tell a love story. It makes you feel like you’ve gone on vacation right alongside Poppy and Alex.”
Book vs. Movie Locations
Fans will recognize many of the book’s destinations, but the film isn’t a shot-for-shot copy.
- Several vacations from the novel remain, including New Orleans and Europe.
- The final act has been shifted to a destination wedding in Barcelona, replacing the book’s Palm Springs finale.
Haley described the movie as “the James Bond of rom-coms when it comes to locations.” Actor Tom Blyth added, “The clue is in the name, we got to meet people on vacation tenfold.”
Book Vacation List (to follow right after)
And for fans who know the novel inside and out, here’s every vacation from Emily Henry’s book, in order:
Every Vacation Spot in Chronological Order
- 11 Summers Ago – Linfield, Ohio
- 10 Summers Ago – Vancouver, Canada
- 09 Summers Ago – Nashville, Tennessee
- 08 Summers Ago – San Francisco, California
- 07 Summers Ago – New Orleans, Louisiana
- 06 Summers Ago – Vail, Colorado
- 05 Summers Ago – Sanibel Island, Florida
- 04 Summers Ago – Sweden & Norway
- 03 Summers Ago – Tuscany, Italy
- 02 Summers Ago – Croatia
- Current time – Palm Springs, California
Each trip in the book marks a new stage in Poppy and Alex’s journey, from lighthearted adventures to heartbreaking silences, culminating in the emotional climax in Palm Springs.
From Page to Screen
Adapted from Emily Henry’s New York Times bestseller, the film is directed by Brett Haley (Hearts Beat Loud, All the Bright Places) and written by Yulin Kuang, Amos Vernon, and Nunzio Randazzo.
Production is led by Wyck Godfrey, Marty Bowen, and Isaac Klausner, while Emily Henry herself joins as an executive producer, ensuring the adaptation preserves the humor, intimacy, and longing that made the book a fan favorite.
Executive producers also include Laura Quicksilver and Ted Gidlow.
Read More About the Book
We Read People We Meet on Vacation Again Just to Convince You It’s Worth It
The Cast
Alongside Bader and Blyth, the ensemble cast includes:
- Sarah Catherine Hook
- Lucien Laviscount
- Miles Heizer
- Jameela Jamil
- Tommy Do
- Lukas Gage
- Alice Lee
With Molly Shannon and Alan Ruck rounding out the supporting roles.
It’s a mix of fresh talent and seasoned scene-stealers, designed to capture both the humor and vulnerability of Henry’s characters.
Official Logline
Free-spirited Poppy and routine-loving Alex have been unlikely best friends for a decade, living in different cities but spending every summer vacation together. The careful balance of their friendship is put to the test when they begin to question what has been obvious to everyone else, could they actually be the perfect romantic match?
Why People We Meet on Vacation Netflix Is Worth the Wait
Emily Henry’s fans have long called this novel a modern romance classic, and its film adaptation arrives with a built-in audience ready to watch Poppy and Alex’s love story unfold.
With Haley’s warm directing style, a cast that balances charm and depth, and a global rollout timed for January 2026, Netflix is clearly aiming for a winter romantic hit.
Premiere Date
People We Meet on Vacation premieres January 9, 2026, exclusively on Netflix.
Grab a blanket, plan a cozy watch night, and get ready to laugh, cry, and fall for Poppy and Alex all over again.
The Poster
