Release Date Cast and Updates

People We Meet on Vacation: Release Date, Cast, and Everything We Know

Fans of Emily Henry and contemporary romance have plenty to celebrate, as her bestselling 2021 novel, People We Meet on Vacation, is officially being adapted into a Netflix movie. The film adaptation has generated buzz across social media and book communities, and now we finally have concrete details about its release, cast, and production.

Emily Henry’s Beloved Novel Comes to Screen

People We Meet on Vacation follows the dynamic duo of Poppy and Alex, best friends whose annual week-long getaways are the glue holding their long-distance friendship together. Poppy, a vibrant travel writer craving adventure, and Alex, a reserved high school teacher content with his hometown routine, seem like opposites. Yet, they’ve bonded deeply since a serendipitous college car share.

After a falling out on their last trip, years pass with silence between them. Longing for reconciliation, Poppy invites Alex for one more vacation—an invitation he surprisingly accepts. Their journey is filled with emotional highs and lows, testing not just their friendship but the possibility of something more. Netflix’s official synopsis highlights this tension, stating: “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?” You can read more about Emily Henry’s works at People.com: Emily Henry’s top five books on love.

Who’s Starring?

Netflix has confirmed Emily Bader in the role of Poppy and Tom Blyth as Alex. Both leads bring strong credentials to the adaptation: Blyth recently starred as Coriolanus Snow in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (the Hunger Games prequel), while Bader won hearts as the star of Prime Video’s My Lady Jane. Emily Henry herself played a pivotal role in casting, stating, “I watched their chemistry read four times in 12 hours and I loved it more every single time.”

Netflix celebrated the cast announcement by sharing a video of Bader learning she’d landed the part, which was posted on X (formerly Twitter). The clip captures Bader’s disbelief and elation, further heightened by a surprise appearance from Emily Henry, reassuring the actors that they were the perfect fit for her beloved protagonists.

Release Date and First Teaser

Netflix has officially set the premiere for January 9, 2026. This date marks the first time an Emily Henry novel will be brought to the screen, much to the delight of her readers and rom-com enthusiasts. In July 2025, Netflix released the first teaser, which introduces the characters through evocative audio over crashing waves, setting a tone of longing and self-discovery perfectly aligned with the novel’s spirit.

The teaser features a heartfelt exchange:

"Where does Alex Nielsen stand on travel? Love or hate?" Poppy asks.

"I mean, I’ve never really traveled before, but this morning I saw this beautiful sunrise or this place that I’ve never been before, and I wouldn’t have if everything had gone according to plan. So, love. I’m thinking love,” Alex replies.

Behind the Scenes: Creative Team

People We Meet on Vacation is directed by Brett Haley, known for his work on romantic dramas like All the Bright Places and an episode of Looking for Alaska. The screenplay is being adapted by Yulin Kuang, with production led by industry veterans Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey, and Isaac Klausner. Their collective experience promises a faithful and touching adaptation, especially with Henry’s active involvement. Check out Netflix Tudum’s exclusive article for behind-the-scenes photos and updates.

Emily Henry’s Expanding Universe

The adaptation of People We Meet on Vacation isn’t the only project brewing from Henry’s collection. Her other novels, including Beach Read, Book Lovers, Happy Place, and Funny Story, are all in various stages of development for film or television. Notably, Beach Read is being prepared for a feature by 20th Century Studios, and Happy Place was optioned by Nuyorican Productions (Jennifer Lopez’s company) for a Netflix series, as reported by Deadline.

Of all these adaptations, People We Meet on Vacation is the first to move forward with a full cast and set release date, making it a landmark moment in Emily Henry’s career.

Looking Forward

Anticipation is high for the film’s 2026 premiere, with fans eager to see if the on-screen chemistry between Bader and Blyth captures the charm and depth of Henry’s characters. Follow the ongoing conversation and get sneak peeks by keeping an eye on Netflix’s news updates and their official channels.

With a talented cast, acclaimed director, and the heartfelt source material guiding the production, People We Meet on Vacation promises to deliver a romantic escape true to its beloved novel roots.