In a move that’s sent shockwaves through the YA romance fandom, Prime Video has officially greenlit a feature film adaptation to conclude the beloved saga of The Summer I Turned Pretty. The announcement, which dropped like a surprise Taylor Swift album on September 17, just hours after the emotional Season 3 finale aired, has fans wiping away tears of joy while speculating wildly about Belly Conklin’s next chapter. Confirming the news, series creator and author Jenny Han shared her excitement: “There’s another big milestone left in Belly’s journey … only a movie could give it its proper due.” This isn’t just an epilogue—it’s a cinematic promise to tie up the loose ends of love, loss, and those endless Cousins Beach summers that have captivated millions.

For those who’ve been living under a rock (or perhaps avoiding the emotional rollercoaster), The Summer I Turned Pretty is more than a teen drama; it’s a sun-kissed ode to first loves, family bonds, and the bittersweet ache of growing up. Based on Jenny Han’s bestselling trilogy—The Summer I Turned Pretty (2009), It’s Not Summer Without You (2010), and We’ll Always Have Summer (2011)—the series follows Isabel “Belly” Conklin (Lola Tung) as she navigates a tangled love triangle with brothers Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalegno) during annual vacations at their family’s beach house in fictional Cousins Beach. What starts as innocent crushes evolves into profound explorations of grief, identity, and choice, all set against the crashing waves and golden-hour glows that have become synonymous with the show’s aesthetic.

The Prime Video series premiered its first season on June 17, 2022, instantly becoming a cultural phenomenon. With its diverse cast—Belly is portrayed as biracial (Korean-American and white), a change from the books—and a soundtrack heavy on Taylor Swift anthems, it resonated deeply with Gen Z audiences. Season 1, with seven episodes, introduced us to Belly’s transformation from awkward teen to budding romantic, earning an 88% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and praise for Lola Tung’s breakout performance. Season 2, dropping in July 2023 with eight episodes, delved into heavier themes like the death of matriarch Susannah Fisher (Rachel Blanchard) from cancer, blending heartbreak with hope and garnering a 62% Rotten Tomatoes score. Then came Season 3, the longest yet at 11 episodes, premiering July 16, 2025, and wrapping on September 17. It featured a four-year time jump, Belly’s engagement to Jeremiah, and an ultimate reunion with Conrad in Paris, drawing 25 million global viewers in its first week and boosting the #TheSummerITurnedPretty hashtag to over 13.8 billion TikTok views.

But why a movie now? Fans thought Season 3 was the end—Han had even billed it as the “final season.” Yet, in a masterstroke of storytelling, the finale left just enough breadcrumbs: Belly and Conrad’s Parisian happily-ever-after felt complete, but whispers of “what’s next?” lingered. Han, in interviews, revealed that the film will serve as the “final chapter,” picking up where the series left off and tackling that elusive “big milestone.” “I’ve considered everything,” Han told Glamour, hinting at potential spin-offs but emphasizing the movie’s role in giving Belly’s arc its due. Speculation runs rampant—could it be a wedding? A family reunion? Or something darker, like revisiting Susannah’s legacy?

Jenny Han, the visionary behind it all, is no stranger to adapting her worlds for the screen. Born in 1980 in Richmond, Virginia, to Korean-American parents, Han’s path to authorship began in college, where she penned her debut children’s novel, Shug (2006). Her YA breakthrough came with the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy (2014-2017), which spawned a hit Netflix franchise she executive-produced, complete with cameos and cultural nods to her heritage. The Summer trilogy followed suit, with Han not only writing but directing episodes and making on-screen appearances—like her beach cameo in Season 1. In 2022, she launched her production company, Jenny Kissed Me, under a deal with Amazon, solidifying her as a powerhouse in diverse storytelling. “Not only is Jenny Han a beloved and best-selling author, but she has also brought her voice to screens around the world,” said Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke.

For the movie, Han is pulling double duty as writer (alongside co-showrunner Sarah Kucserka) and director—her feature directorial debut. Production details are scarce, but expect the core cast to return: Tung as Belly, Briney as Conrad, Casalegno as Jeremiah, alongside Jackie Chung (Laurel), Sean Kaufman (Steven), Rain Spencer (Taylor), and possibly Blanchard in flashbacks. New faces from Season 3, like Sofia Bryant (Anika) and Lily Donoghue (Lacie), might reprise roles. Filming could start in 2026, with a release not before 2027, per Han’s comments. Locations? Wilmington, North Carolina, stood in for Cousins in the series, but the finale’s Paris scenes hint at international flair.

Cast reactions have been electric. In a TODAY interview from Paris, Tung, Briney, Casalegno, and Han spilled details. “I can say there’s another big milestone for Belly,” Han teased. Tung, 23, reflected on Belly’s growth: “She’s found her independence, but love changes everything.” Briney, 27, added, “Conrad’s ready for the next step—it’s about building a future.” Casalegno, 26, hinted at Jeremiah’s evolution: “He’s healing, but family ties run deep.” Even supporting stars like Blanchard and Chung dreamed up prequels in ET chats, imagining young Susannah and Laurel.

Fan reactions? Pure pandemonium. On X, #TSITPMovie trended globally, with posts like Buzzing Pop’s update on the 2027 release garnering thousands of likes. User @conradsinfinte shared a video montage: “this is how it felt after the show ended but now Jenny comes and announces THE SUMMER I TURNED A PRETTY: MOVIE ????” @lolatunglovebot joked about FilmUpdates announcing filming, while @Wahoopredict captured the hype: “The Summer I Turned Pretty series finale wasn’t the end after all.” Team Conrad (#Bonrad) celebrated, but Team Jeremiah found solace in potential closure.

The series’ impact extends beyond romance. It tackled mental health (Conrad’s therapy), bisexuality (Jeremiah’s arc), and grief, earning Emmy nods for XO, Kitty spin-off. Swift’s music—tracks like “Dress” and “invisible string” in the finale—spiked streams. As Han directs this finale, expect more empowerment, diversity, and heart.

What does the future hold? Spin-offs? Han’s open, but this movie seals Belly’s story. In a world craving feel-good escapes, The Summer I Turned Pretty reminds us: summers end, but love endures.