People We Meet on Vacation is available on Netflix from January 9, 2026. And if you've seen the movie and want more — or if you've read the book and are curious about how the movie handles it — then you've come to the right place.
This is everything you need to know about the Emily Henry adaptation that has been captivating BookTok for months.
What is People We Meet on Vacation about?
People We Meet on Vacation follows Poppy and Alex, two opposite best friends who went on vacation together for a decade, until a rift drove them apart. When they agree to take one last trip, everything they knew about their friendship might change.
Poppy is free, impulsive, and "wings it" — she books flights at the last minute and lets the vacation unfold. Alex is structured, loves an itinerary, and wants to know everything in advance. They are opposites — and precisely because of that, the perfect travel companions.
What starts as an annual friendship trip evolves over ten years into something neither dares to name. The film tells that story across two timelines: the present and memories of past vacations.
The cast of People We Meet on Vacation
Tom Blyth plays Alex Nilsen and Emily Bader plays Poppy Wright, alongside Sarah Catherine Hook, Jameela Jamil, Lucien Laviscount, Miles Heizer, Lukas Gage, and Emmy-nominated actors Molly Shannon and Alan Ruck.
Tom Blyth as Alex Nilsen
Blyth is known for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Emily Henry described him after the casting read as "stoic, repressed, quietly hilarious" — and that's exactly the energy Alex needs.
Emily Bader as Poppy Wright
Bader is known for My Lady Jane on Prime Video. Emily Henry said of her: "She’s an irresistible scamp with a secret softness."
Emily Henry herself attended the premiere in Hollywood on January 6, 2026, and said she "couldn’t feel more certain" that her readers would fall in love with Poppy and Alex in the film.
Emily Henry is a fan of the cast
"I watched their chemistry read four times in 12 hours and I loved it more each time," Henry told Netflix. "The first time I laughed out loud and by the end, I was so emotional."
That is a rare and valuable judgment — many authors are cautious about commenting on adaptations of their work. Henry's enthusiasm is a good sign for readers wondering if the film is true to the book.
What is different from the book?
The film is largely faithful to the book — but there are a few notable differences:
The film was shot on locations ranging from New Orleans to a destination wedding in Barcelona — a change from the Palm Springs setting in the book.
The vacation destination in the climax is therefore different. For readers familiar with the book, this is a striking choice — but Barcelona as a setting works visually and gives the film an international glamour that suits Poppy's character.
Director Brett Haley on the film
"This is a film that doesn't just tell a love story," director Brett Haley told Tudum. "It makes you feel like you've gone on vacation with Poppy and Alex."
Haley previously directed All the Bright Places and Hearts Beat Loud — two emotional coming-of-age films. He understands the balance between lightness and emotional depth that People We Meet on Vacation demands.
Read the book after the film — or before
Whether you watch the film first or read the book first: both experiences are worthwhile.
If you've seen the film and want to read the book:
The book has more room for Poppy's inner world — her doubts, her witty voice, and her observations about people and places that the film can only convey through dialogue. You'll also discover the original Palm Springs setting of the climax story.
If you've read the book and want to watch the film:
Tom Blyth and Emily Bader have the chemistry Emily Henry described in her book. And Barcelona as a setting is a surprisingly good choice that enhances the romance of the story.
More Emily Henry after People We Meet on Vacation?
If you love People We Meet on Vacation, these are the most recommended next steps:
Beach Read — Emily Henry's other big bestseller. A writer and a novelist swap genres in a summer story with similar slow-burn energy. Also in production as a Netflix film.
Happy Place — Emily Henry's most recent novel before Our Perfect Storm. Second chance romance with fake dating, similar emotional tone.
Our Perfect Storm — Emily Henry's newest book of 2026, straight to #1 on the NYT list. For readers who can't wait for more.
Don't know what you want to read next? Our Blind Date Book (Romance) lets you choose the genre without knowing the title.
💕 For the friends to lovers fan
Read our article about the best friends to lovers books — People We Meet on Vacation is the gold standard of the trope.
→ View romance bookmarks
Complete your People We Meet on Vacation reading set
💕 The perfect reading set:
✔ Romance bookmark — for the most beautiful Poppy and Alex pages
✔ Blind Date Book (Romance) — for your next Emily Henry-esque surprise
✔ Book Review Notepad — record the difference between book and film
✔ Reading Log (€1.99) — keep track of your Emily Henry reading list
✔ Glass Can — for your iced coffee or matcha while reading
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Enjoy watching and reading — and we all already know they're more than friends! 💕📚
Frequently asked questions about People We Meet on Vacation
Where can I watch People We Meet on Vacation?
People We Meet on Vacation will be available on Netflix from January 9, 2026.
Who plays Poppy and Alex in the film?
Emily Bader plays Poppy Wright and Tom Blyth plays Alex Nilsen.
Is People We Meet on Vacation based on a book?
Yes — the film is based on Emily Henry's 2021 novel of the same name, one of BookTok's most-read friends-to-lovers romances.
Who directed the film?
Brett Haley directed the film, with a screenplay by Yulin Kuang, Amos Vernon, and Nunzio Randazzo.
What are the biggest differences between the book and the film?
The main change is the setting of the climax story: the film uses Barcelona instead of Palm Springs from the book. The core of the story — Poppy and Alex, their friendship, and the love they dare not name — is true to the original.
Has Emily Henry approved the film?
Yes. Emily Henry attended the premiere and said she "couldn’t feel more certain" that her readers would fall in love with Poppy and Alex in the film.
Which book should I read after People We Meet on Vacation?
Beach Read or Happy Place by Emily Henry are the most recommended next steps. Or surprise yourself with a Blind Date Book (Romance).