Netflix Greenlights Two Emily Henry Adaptations for the Big Screen

Netflix appears to be doubling down on its investment in Emily Henry’s literary universe, with two fresh film projects now in the pipeline. The streaming giant, having already brought The People We Meet on Vacation to its platform in early January 2026, is now turning its attention to Funny Story and a cinematic take on Happy Place. The former, which began its journey towards adaptation in 2024, has been picked up for development, while the latter has shifted gears from a planned television series to a full-length feature.

The People We Meet on Vacation, which landed on Netflix on 9 January 2026, stars Emily Bader and Tom Blyth. The film has drawn comparisons to a Gen-Z version of When Harry Met Sally, and has been met with a warm critical reception, boasting an 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The timing of Netflix’s latest deals is notable: the agreement for Funny Story was inked just a day before the streaming debut of People We Meet on Vacation.

New Adaptations Take Shape

Funny Story, produced by Lyrical Media, centres on Daphne, a children’s librarian left adrift after her fiancé, Peter, calls off their engagement, having realised his heart still belongs to his childhood friend, Petra. Stuck in Peter’s lakeside hometown, Daphne finds herself sharing a flat with Miles, who happens to be Petra’s ex. The pair, both licking their wounds, hatch a plan to get back at their former partners, only to find themselves entangled in a rather different sort of relationship. Emily Henry herself is penning the screenplay, though casting and directorial choices remain up in the air.

Alex Black, the founder and CEO of Lyrical Media, commented,

‘Emily Henry has a gift for creating characters that truly connect with audiences, and it’s no surprise her books have resonated with so many. We’re excited to be following up People You Meet on Vacation and collaborating with her on Funny Story — it’s going to be such a thrill bringing her beloved characters to the big screen.’

Happy Place Moves to Film

Meanwhile, Happy Place, which first appeared in print in April 2023, follows Harriet and Wyn, a couple who have recently ended their engagement. The twist: they pretend to still be together for one last summer getaway with their closest friends, only to confront what – or who – truly makes them happy. The project was initially set up as a series, with Leila Cohan, known for her work on Bridgerton, attached as showrunner. It’s unclear whether Cohan will remain involved now that the project has shifted to a feature format, but Jennifer Lopez’s Nuyorican Productions is still on board.

Both Happy Place and Funny Story have enjoyed considerable acclaim, each winning the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance in their respective years, 2023 and 2024. Henry’s streak of success with the Goodreads community is unmatched, having secured the award five years running, beginning with People We Meet on Vacation in 2021 and most recently with Great Big Beautiful Life.

Henry’s Ongoing Popularity

Emily Henry’s star continues to rise, with her knack for crafting relatable, engaging characters earning her a devoted following. While Netflix is clearly keen to capitalise on her popularity, it’s not the only studio in the race: 20th Century Studios has snapped up the rights to Beach Read, another of Henry’s best-known works, which is currently in development elsewhere.

With these new projects, Netflix is making a proper statement about its confidence in Henry’s stories and their ability to draw in audiences looking for a fresh take on modern romance. The coming years look set to be rather busy for fans of her work, as her novels make the leap from page to screen in a big way.