The announcement of a feature film adaptation for The Summer I Turned Pretty has ignited fresh excitement among fans of Jenny Han’s beloved young adult trilogy, promising to extend the heartfelt saga beyond the recently concluded third season on Prime Video. Revealed just hours after the series finale aired on September 17, 2025, the movie marks a pivotal expansion, with Han stepping into the director’s chair for her feature debut while co-writing the script alongside longtime collaborator Sarah Kucserka. As production gears up in early 2026, industry insiders project a theatrical and streaming rollout in summer 2027, aligning with the story’s iconic beachside romance themes.

This cinematic venture arrives at a peak moment for Han’s franchise, which has amassed over 200 million minutes viewed globally in its final season alone, according to Prime Video metrics. The film’s development underscores Amazon MGM Studios’ commitment to the IP, blending the nostalgic allure of Cousins Beach with deeper explorations of love, loss, and growth that captivated readers since the 2009 debut novel. With returning stars Lola Tung as Isabel “Belly” Conklin and Christopher Briney as Conrad Fisher, the project teases resolutions to lingering emotional threads, including a significant milestone in Belly’s journey toward maturity.

Han, fresh from her television directorial bow in season three’s pivotal episodes, expressed enthusiasm for the format shift during a December 2025 panel at The Wrap’s Power Women Summit. “TV time can be limiting,” she noted, highlighting how the series’ episodic structure constrained certain narrative arcs. The movie, she added, allows for a more expansive canvas to “tie a bow on it all,” delivering the closure fans have clamored for since the books left subtle ambiguities in relationships and family dynamics.

From Page to Screen: The Evolution of Jenny Han’s Summer Saga

Jenny Han’s literary career took flight with The Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy, published between 2009 and 2011 by Simon & Schuster, which chronicled the sun-soaked awakenings of Belly Conklin amid a tangled web of first loves and familial bonds. The series, comprising The Summer I Turned Pretty, It’s Not Summer Without You, and We’ll Always Have Summer, sold millions worldwide, resonating with themes of adolescent flux and the bittersweet passage of youth. Han drew from her own coastal childhood memories in Virginia Beach to craft a world where seasonal returns to Cousins Beach served as metaphors for emotional rebirths.

The Prime Video adaptation, greenlit in 2021, transformed this intimate narrative into a sprawling ensemble drama, debuting in June 2022 with immediate acclaim for its lush cinematography and Taylor Swift-curated soundtrack. Seasons one and two, released in 2022 and 2023 respectively, faithfully adapted the first two books while introducing expansions like Belly’s evolving friendship with Taylor Jewel and Steven Conklin’s entrepreneurial pursuits. By season three, premiering July 16, 2025, the show diverged more boldly, incorporating a larger time jump to Belly’s junior year end and amplifying subplots around mental health and cross-cultural romances.

These adaptations were not without controversy; book purists debated changes such as the extension of Belly’s European study abroad from a brief Spain mention to a full-year Paris immersion, complete with romantic entanglements. Yet, Han defended these choices in a September 2025 Entertainment Weekly interview, stating they enriched character depth without altering core emotional truths. The season’s supersized 11-episode arc, culminating in a 80-minute finale titled “At Last,” drew 142 million minutes viewed in its debut week, per Nielsen data, surpassing predecessors and solidifying the series as a YA cornerstone.

The decision to pivot to film stemmed from narrative necessities post-finale. With Belly choosing Conrad after a fraught engagement to Jeremiah, the screen left audiences yearning for depictions of their union’s realities—wedding preparations, career navigations, and the Fisher family’s healing from grief. Han revealed in a Glamour sit-down that early drafts explored these “post-happily ever after” moments, ensuring the movie honors the trilogy’s epilogue while addressing fan demands for extended Bonrad (Belly-Conrad) screen time.

Behind the Script: Han’s Vision for the Ultimate Send-Off

Han completed the first draft of the screenplay in late November 2025, a milestone she shared during her Power Women Summit appearance, emphasizing the script’s focus on Belly’s “another big milestone.” Speculation points to a wedding centerpiece, echoing the books’ tender close but amplified with series-specific elements like Conrad’s therapy journey and Belly’s bilingual aspirations. Co-writer Sarah Kucserka, who helmed episodes across all seasons, brings continuity, having scripted the season three bottle episode that delved into Conrad’s psyche.

Directorial Debut and Creative Control

For Han, directing the film represents a full-circle evolution from her screenwriter roots on To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. Her TV directorial foray in season three’s “Last Dance” episode—narrated from Conrad’s viewpoint—earned praise for intimate framing, such as a lingering peach stand scene where Han instructed Briney to “memorize her face,” capturing unspoken longing. This experience, she told The Hollywood Reporter in November 2025, felt “natural and really easy” after years of collaboration, priming her for the film’s broader scope.

Influenced by rom-com trailblazers like Nora Ephron, Han envisions a blend of wistful humor and poignant drama, potentially incorporating Easter eggs from her broader universe, such as subtle nods to Lara Jean Covey. Production designer Mark White, returning from the series, is scouting East Coast locales to replicate Cousins Beach’s ethereal haze, with principal photography slated for spring 2026 in Wilmington, North Carolina— the original show’s filming hub.

The script’s development involved rigorous table reads with the cast in October 2025, where Tung advocated for Belly’s agency in post-college decisions, and Briney pushed for Conrad’s vulnerability in familial reconciliations. Han balanced these inputs while preserving the story’s emotional fidelity, ensuring the film clocks in at around 110 minutes to allow unhurried resolutions.

Returning Cast and Fresh Faces: Building the Ensemble

The film’s core remains anchored by its breakout leads. Lola Tung, 23, reprises Belly with a matured poise, reflecting her character’s transition from tentative teen to self-assured young adult. Tung, who honed her craft through Juilliard training, shared in a September 2025 Deadline interview her eagerness to explore Belly’s “next chapter,” particularly her navigation of Conrad’s brooding intensity alongside career ambitions in translation.

Christopher Briney, 26, returns as Conrad, the introspective eldest Fisher brother whose season three arc humanized his struggles with anxiety and legacy pressures. Briney’s preparation included method immersion in coastal literature, informing a performance Han lauded as “transformative.” Gavin Casalegno, 25, steps back as Jeremiah, whose arc resolves in culinary pursuits abroad, but teases a cameo that bridges his growth with the central duo.

Supporting players like Rachel Blanchard as Laurel Park and Jackie Chung as Susannah Fisher—recast post-season one—promise poignant returns, delving into maternal legacies and widowhood’s quiet triumphs. Kyra Sedgwick joins as a new mentor figure for Belly in professional spheres, her involvement announced via Variety in October 2025, adding gravitas to themes of female solidarity.

Key Character Developments Teased

As production advances, subtle hints from set visits and Han’s interviews illuminate character trajectories:

Belly Conklin’s Professional Leap: Post-Paris, Belly pursues linguistics at Georgetown, but the film spotlights her internship at a D.C. publishing house, where she grapples with balancing romance and ambition; this arc draws from Han’s own publishing experiences, emphasizing Belly’s evolution from dreamer to decision-maker, complete with bilingual dialogues that showcase Tung’s fluency.
Conrad Fisher’s Healing Path: Building on therapy sessions introduced in season three, Conrad confronts estate management for the Fisher beach house, symbolizing closure; Briney collaborated with mental health consultants to portray nuanced recovery, including a heartfelt confrontation with past regrets that strengthens his bond with Belly.
Jeremiah’s Independent Arc: Though sidelined, Jeremiah’s chef apprenticeship in Barcelona yields a surprise visit, highlighting his resilience; Casalegno trained in Mediterranean cuisine for authenticity, infusing the role with levity amid the film’s tender tone.
Laurel and Susannah’s Enduring Friendship: Flashbacks interweave their shared history, revealing untold stories of young motherhood; Blanchard and Chung’s chemistry, refined over seasons, culminates in a co-authored poetry reading that honors the series’ literary roots.
Steven and Taylor’s Entrepreneurial Venture: The siblings’ video game startup relocates to San Francisco, facing startup hurdles; this subplot, expanded from season three, incorporates real tech industry insights, with cameos from industry figures to ground their ambition in relatable setbacks and triumphs.
Secondary Romances and Closures: Taylor’s post-breakup glow-up involves a new suitor, while Cam’s brief return adds humor; these threads weave a tapestry of growth, ensuring no character feels ancillary in the ensemble’s farewell.
Family Reunions at Cousins Beach: A central gathering revives traditions like volleyball tournaments, but with adult stakes; this setting allows for multigenerational interactions, underscoring themes of legacy and renewal.

These evolutions, vetted through fan feedback channels, aim to satisfy diverse viewer investments while advancing Han’s vision of holistic character arcs.

Production Insights: From Script to Summer Shoot

Pre-production ramped up in December 2025, with Amazon MGM Studios allocating a reported $45 million budget—elevated from the series’ $10 million per season—to accommodate theatrical elements like IMAX-friendly beach panoramas. Cinematographer Ben Kutchins, a series veteran, is experimenting with golden-hour filters to evoke the books’ hazy nostalgia, while composer Danny Lux crafts a score blending indie folk with Swiftian pop cues.

Filming commences March 2026 in North Carolina’s barrier islands, leveraging tax incentives and familiar crew. Challenges include coordinating actor schedules—Tung’s theater commitments and Briney’s indie film overlaps—necessitating a compact 45-day shoot. Han prioritizes intimacy, blocking scenes in natural light to mirror the trilogy’s sensory immersion, from salt-kissed breezes to firefly-lit confessions.

Post-production, slated for fall 2026, will involve visual effects for subtle enhancements, like dreamlike wedding sequences. Marketing teases a hybrid release: limited theatrical run in June 2027 followed by Prime Video exclusivity, capitalizing on the platform’s 200 million subscribers. Promotional tie-ins include a Han-curated book bundle and beachwear collaborations, extending the franchise’s lifestyle appeal.

Han addressed delays in a December 2025 People interview, attributing them to season three’s exhaustive post-work, which extended to June 2025. “We wrapped filming last year, but the polish took precedence,” she explained, underscoring quality over haste. This measured pace, she believes, will yield a film that resonates as enduringly as the source material.

The Love Triangle Legacy: Fan Reactions and Cultural Impact

The reveal sparked immediate fervor, with #SummerMovie trending worldwide on X, amassing 500,000 mentions in 24 hours. Team Bonrad forums exploded with theories on wedding aesthetics—envisioning lace gowns against dune backdrops—while JereBelly holdouts petitioned for redemption arcs. Han acknowledged this divide in a Teen Vogue Q&A, noting, “Fans can be really hard on women,” defending Belly’s choices as multifaceted rather than villainous.

Culturally, the franchise has normalized discussions on mental health in YA narratives, with Conrad’s storyline prompting a 30 percent uptick in teen therapy inquiries, per a 2025 American Psychological Association report. Its diverse casting—featuring Asian-American leads and queer subplots—broadened representation, earning Han a 2025 Peabody Award for inclusive storytelling.

Easter Eggs and Intertextual Ties

Han’s oeuvre thrives on connective tissues; the film promises amplified crossovers. Season three nods—like Belly’s Peter Kavinsky costume homage—evolve into meta moments, such as a Covey family photo cameo. These layers reward superfans, blending universes in a nod to Han’s prolific output, including upcoming projects like a To All the Boys spin-off.

The series’ soundtrack, with over 100 Swift tracks, set streaming records; the movie eyes similar synergies, potentially featuring unreleased cuts. Lux’s compositions, interwoven with diegetic beach jams, amplify emotional beats, from tentative kisses to cathartic dances.

Anticipating the 2027 Premiere: What Lies Ahead

As 2026 unfolds, quarterly updates via Prime Video panels will track milestones, from table reads to trailer drops. Han’s multi-project slate—including two unannounced films and a show—tempers expectations, but she assures fans the movie remains priority. “I’m busy, but this is home,” she quipped in an Awards Radar interview, alluding to the cathartic closure it affords.

Industry forecasts peg the film for $150 million global box office, buoyed by YA rom-com resurgence post-The Idea of You. Streaming metrics suggest 300 million viewing hours in week one, per Parrot Analytics projections. For Han, success metrics transcend numbers: “It’s about giving the ending they’ve been waiting for,” she reflected, evoking the trilogy’s enduring whisper of possibility.

Cast morale remains sky-high; Tung hosted a December 2025 fan watch-along, teasing wardrobe sketches, while Briney shared cryptic beach selfies captioned “One more summer.” These glimpses fuel speculation, positioning the film as a cultural capstone for a generation’s coming-of-age.

Broader Horizons: Han’s Expanding Empire

Beyond The Summer I Turned Pretty, Han’s 2026-2028 docket signals a golden era. A To All the Boys prequel series explores Kitty Song-Covey’s Singapore roots, greenlit for Netflix with Anna Cathcart starring. Two feature scripts—one a historical rom-dram, the other a speculative YA thriller—circulate among A-listers, per Deadline reports.

Her novel-writing hiatus, necessitated by showrunning’s “12-month-a-year” demands, nears end; a memoir on Asian-American identity is whispered for 2028. Han mentors emerging scribes through her production banner, fostering diverse voices in a post-Summer landscape.

Philanthropically, Han champions literacy via book drives in under-resourced schools, tying to the trilogy’s reading-centric motifs. Her influence permeates pop culture, from Swiftie discourse to beach TikTok trends, cementing her as a YA architect.

Conclusion

The forthcoming The Summer I Turned Pretty movie stands as a luminous extension of Jenny Han’s evocative universe, weaving the trilogy’s tender threads into a cinematic tapestry of reunion and resolve. From script completion to anticipated 2027 shores, it promises deepened dives into Belly’s milestones, Conrad’s redemptions, and the Fisher legacy’s quiet radiances, all under Han’s assured directorial gaze. Enriched by returning talents, coastal authenticity, and intertextual charms, the film honors fan devotions while advancing narratives of growth amid love’s complexities.

Amid Han’s burgeoning portfolio, this project encapsulates a franchise’s arc—from page-turning debut to global sensation—affirming themes of seasonal renewal that transcend screens. As Cousins Beach beckons once more, it invites audiences to linger in nostalgia’s glow, celebrating not just endings, but the infinite summers within every heart’s horizon.