Just when fans thought they’d said their final goodbyes to Cousins Beach, The Summer I Turned Pretty is making a triumphant return with a feature film, set to wrap up the beloved story of Isabel “Belly” Conklin and her tangled love triangle with the Fisher brothers. Announced mere hours after the Season 3 finale aired on September 17, 2025, the news of The Summer I Turned Pretty: The Movie sent fans into a frenzy, with social media ablaze over the prospect of revisiting the romantic, nostalgic world of Jenny Han’s creation. Written and directed by Han herself, the film promises to deliver the “big milestone” in Belly’s journey that couldn’t fit into the series’ finale, offering closure to a story that has captured hearts worldwide. With no official release date yet but a tidal wave of excitement, here’s everything we know about the upcoming movie and why it’s poised to be the perfect farewell to Cousins Beach.
A Journey Beyond the Series
The Summer I Turned Pretty, based on Jenny Han’s bestselling trilogy, has been a cornerstone of Prime Video’s young adult offerings since its debut in 2022. The series follows Belly, a teenager caught in a love triangle with brothers Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher, as she navigates first love, heartbreak, and the bittersweet magic of summer at Cousins Beach. The show’s multigenerational drama, weaving together themes of family, friendship, and personal growth, has resonated with audiences, drawing 25 million viewers globally in the first week of Season 3 alone. Its blend of sun-soaked nostalgia, emotional depth, and Taylor Swift-fueled soundtracks has made it a cultural phenomenon, with TikTok hashtags amassing over 13.8 billion views.
The Season 3 finale, which aired on September 17, 2025, left fans both satisfied and yearning for more. While the series tied up many loose ends—reuniting Belly with her lifelong crush Conrad in a romantic Paris reunion and a return to Cousins Beach—it notably omitted a pivotal moment from Han’s third book, We’ll Always Have Summer: Belly and Conrad’s wedding. Fans took to social media to express their mixed feelings, with some praising the finale’s hopeful tone and others feeling it rushed, craving more closure for the characters they’d grown to love. Enter The Summer I Turned Pretty: The Movie, announced at a red-carpet celebration in Paris, where stars Lola Tung and Christopher Briney posed in front of a marquee proclaiming the film’s title.
Jenny Han, the mastermind behind both the books and the series, teased that the movie will focus on “another big milestone” in Belly’s journey, one that only a feature film could do justice. While plot details remain tightly guarded, the consensus among fans is that the film will center on Belly and Conrad’s wedding, a moment that book readers have long awaited. The series finale hinted at this possibility, ending with the couple back at Cousins Beach, together but not yet engaged. The movie is expected to pick up a few years later, with a slightly older and wiser Belly navigating the next phase of her relationship with Conrad, possibly exploring their life as a couple before racing to the altar.
What to Expect from the Plot
Though Han has kept the storyline under wraps, the film is likely to draw heavily from the epilogue of We’ll Always Have Summer, which depicts Belly and Conrad’s beachside wedding. Fans speculate that the movie will flesh out this moment, showing the couple’s journey toward marriage, complete with the emotional highs and lows that define their relationship. The series finale introduced a “Christmas in Paris” scrapbook, suggesting the film might revisit the couple’s time abroad, perhaps showing them planning their future amidst the city’s romantic backdrop. Other fan theories point to scenes of Belly and Conrad living together, navigating the challenges of young adulthood, and bickering over wedding details in true TSITP fashion.
The movie will also likely address the fates of other key characters. Jeremiah, the “golden retriever” brother who lost Belly to Conrad, was last seen thriving as a chef in Boston with a budding romance with his colleague Denise. The film could explore his culinary career and new relationship, offering closure for fans who rooted for him. Belly’s brother Steven and best friend Taylor, now based in San Francisco with their tech startup, may return to Cousins for the wedding, bringing their signature banter and support. The parents—Laurel, John, and Adam—are expected to play a role, with their complex dynamics adding depth to the story. Most poignantly, fans hope for flashbacks or dream sequences featuring Susannah Fisher, the heart of the Fisher family, whose presence has loomed large despite her passing. A letter from Susannah, written for Belly’s wedding day in the book’s epilogue, could serve as an emotional centerpiece.
The film’s setting will undoubtedly return to Cousins Beach, the idyllic summer haven that has defined the series’ aesthetic. Expect sweeping shots of sandy shores, pastel sunsets, and the iconic beach house, now safely in the Fisher family’s hands after Season 3’s battle to save it from being sold. The movie may also incorporate new locations, such as Stanford, where Conrad is attending medical school, or San Francisco, where much of the cast is based. These settings could ground the story in a slightly more mature phase of the characters’ lives, reflecting their transition from teens to young adults.
A Stellar Cast Returns
The film will see the return of the series’ core cast, with Lola Tung and Christopher Briney reprising their roles as Belly and Conrad. Tung’s portrayal of Belly has been praised for capturing the character’s vulnerability and strength, while Briney’s brooding Conrad has won hearts as the tortured romantic lead. Their chemistry, a highlight of the series, will be central to the movie, promising swoon-worthy moments for “Team Conrad” fans. Gavin Casalegno is expected to return as Jeremiah, bringing his charm and emotional depth to the role, while Sean Kaufman and Rain Spencer will likely reprise their roles as Steven and Taylor, respectively.
The parental figures—Jackie Chung as Laurel, Colin Ferguson as John, and Tom Everett Scott as Adam—will add emotional weight, with their performances grounding the story in family dynamics. Rachel Blanchard’s Susannah, a beloved figure whose absence has been deeply felt, may appear in flashbacks, especially given her presence at the movie’s announcement event. Additional cast members, such as David Iacono as Cam or Elsie Fisher as Skye, could make cameo appearances, tying together the series’ sprawling ensemble.
Jenny Han’s Vision
Jenny Han, who serves as writer, director, and co-showrunner, is the driving force behind the film. Known for her ability to craft heartfelt, relatable stories, Han has promised a movie that honors the trilogy’s legacy while offering something new. Co-writing with Sarah Kucserka, Han aims to deliver a feature-length experience that feels cinematic yet true to the series’ intimate, nostalgic vibe. Her directorial debut is a bold move, but her deep connection to the story ensures that Belly’s final chapter will resonate with fans.
The film’s production will likely maintain the series’ high standards, with filming expected to take place in Wilmington, North Carolina, standing in for Cousins Beach. The show’s signature aesthetic—dreamy lighting, indie-pop soundtracks, and sun-drenched visuals—will carry over, with Taylor Swift’s music almost certain to make another appearance given its impact on the series’ popularity. Han’s involvement as both writer and director suggests a deeply personal touch, with the potential for surprises that deviate from the books to keep even diehard fans guessing.
A Cultural Phenomenon
The Summer I Turned Pretty has been more than just a TV show—it’s a cultural touchstone. The series has driven book sales, with all three novels topping Amazon’s bestseller list after the show’s debut, and boosted music streams for artists like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. Its social media impact is staggering, with over 725 million potential impressions during its launch weekend. The announcement of the movie, accompanied by a viral Instagram post featuring Tung and Briney, has only amplified the hype, with fans flooding platforms like X with reactions ranging from ecstatic screams to detailed theories about the wedding.
The film’s release date remains unconfirmed, but speculation suggests a 2026 premiere, possibly in the summer to align with the story’s seasonal theme. Given the series’ relatively simple production—no heavy CGI or elaborate effects—filming could wrap quickly, especially if Han has already begun pre-production. Fans hope for a shorter wait than the two-year gap between Seasons 2 and 3, with some even speculating that the movie may have been shot concurrently with Season 3 to streamline schedules.
Why the Movie Matters
The Summer I Turned Pretty: The Movie is more than a continuation—it’s a chance to give fans the closure they’ve craved. The series’ finale, while emotionally satisfying, left some feeling that Belly and Conrad’s story deserved more time to breathe. The movie offers an opportunity to explore their relationship in depth, showing them as a couple navigating real-world challenges rather than idealized teens in a summer bubble. It’s also a testament to the story’s enduring appeal, proving that Belly’s journey resonates across generations.
For fans, the film is a chance to return to Cousins Beach one last time, to relive the magic of first love and the pain of growing up. For Han, it’s a love letter to the characters and the fans who’ve made The Summer I Turned Pretty a global sensation. As anticipation builds, one thing is clear: the summer isn’t over yet, and Belly’s story will always have a place in our hearts.
