All About 'People We Meet on Vacation': Cast, Plot, Release, and What to Expect From the Adaptation

Published 10/01/2025, 12:02 AM EDT

In the constellation of cinema, few genres offer the potent mix of heartwarming emotion and genuine laughter quite like the romantic comedy. These swoon-worthy films, from classics like When Harry Met Sally... and Notting Hill to modern hits such as Anyone but You and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, act as perfect cinematic vacations, offering viewers a chance to escape into meticulously crafted worlds of inevitable, charming love. For those seeking that next great escape, Netflix's new adaptation, People We Meet on Vacation, is poised to join this illustrious list.

The upcoming Netflix feature takes a dive into a lemonadey tale of love and laughs, but not without its signature tanginess.

Why People We Meet on Vacation was begging a screen adaptation?

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

This film explores the decade-long, seemingly platonic relationship between Poppy and Alex, two individuals who are fundamentally opposites. Free-spirited Poppy, described as zany yet vulnerable, and pragmatic, routine-loving Alex have maintained their friendship across great distances, reuniting for a summer vacation every single year.

The careful equilibrium of their long-distance bond faces an ultimate test as they both begin to confront the undeniable romantic tension that everyone around them has noticed for years. According to Tudum, Director Brett Haley’s goal was to ensure the film preserves the heart of this unconventional love story: the journey from complete opposites to steadfast friends, and finally to something much more.

Netflix Adds a Dose of Romance With Jennifer Lopez’s Hit Rom-Com - Here’s When You Can Watch

Finding the central pair for this book-to-screen adaptation was crucial, as the entire story hinges on the chemistry between the two leads. Who will play the roles of main leads, and who are the other cast members?

Casting the perfect opposites in People We Meet on Vacation

Tom Blyth, known for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, steps into the shoes of Alex, while Emily Bader, from My Lady Jane, plays the unpredictable Poppy. The extensive supporting cast includes Jameela Jamil, Sarah Catherine Hook, and Lukas Gage.

The countdown is officially on for this highly anticipated romantic comedy as the devotees of the book and those with a sweet tooth for romance await the premiere. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

When does People We Meet on Vacation take flight?

The visual adaptation of Emily Henry’s New York Times bestseller will premiere exclusively on Netflix early next year. People We Meet on Vacation will be available for streaming globally on January 9, 2026. Filming took the production from New Orleans to Barcelona for a destination wedding, ensuring that the sprawling, decade-long story feels as expansive as it is intimate. Until one joins them in January, they can dive into a list of rom-coms available now on Netflix.

Netflix’s New Rom-Com Claims the Top Position, Becomes Instant Hit

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Are you also waiting for People We Meet on Vacation to release soon? Let us know in the comments below.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

ADVERTISEMENT

Soma Mitra

398 articles

Soma is a journalist at Netflix Junkie. With a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication, she brings production experience from documentary films like Chandua: Stories on Fabric. Covering the true crime and docu-drama beat, she turns psychological thrillers into sharp, audience-aware storytelling.

Edited By: Aliza Siddiqui

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

EDITORS' PICK