Just when fans thought the sun had set on the sandy shores of Cousins Beach, a beacon of hope has emerged from the horizon. In a surprise announcement that has ignited social media like a Fourth of July bonfire, Prime Video has officially confirmed a feature film to extend the beloved saga of The Summer I Turned Pretty. The news, dropped mere hours after the emotional rollercoaster of the Season 3 finale on September 17, has left viewers reeling—not from heartbreak this time, but from sheer excitement. “It’s not over yet,” teases series creator Jenny Han in her heartfelt statement, echoing the sentiments of millions who’ve invested their summers (and tears) into Belly Conklin’s journey. With Han at the helm as both writer and director, this movie promises to deliver the “big milestone” that the books—and fans—have been craving.

For the uninitiated—though at this point, who hasn’t been swept up in the tide?—The Summer I Turned Pretty is more than a YA romance; it’s a poignant tapestry of first loves, family fractures, and the inexorable march toward adulthood. Adapted from Han’s bestselling trilogy (The Summer I Turned Pretty, It’s Not Summer Without You, and We’ll Always Have Summer), the Prime Video series chronicles the life of Isabel “Belly” Conklin (Lola Tung), a teenager caught in a love triangle with brothers Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalegno) during idyllic summers at their family’s beach house in fictional Cousins Beach, Massachusetts. What begins as lighthearted beach escapades evolves into deep dives on grief, identity, and resilience, all underscored by a killer soundtrack featuring Taylor Swift’s emotive anthems.

The series premiered its first season on June 17, 2022, to instant acclaim, blending nostalgic vibes with modern diversity—Belly’s Korean-American heritage adding layers of cultural depth not as prominent in the books. It racked up billions of streaming minutes, earning an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and spawning a fervent fandom divided into Team Conrad (#Bonrad) and Team Jeremiah (#Jelly). Season 2, arriving in July 2023, intensified the drama with the heartbreaking loss of matriarch Susannah Fisher (Rachel Blanchard) to cancer, scoring a 62% on Rotten Tomatoes but deepening emotional stakes. Then came Season 3, the supposed swan song, with 11 episodes premiering July 16, 2025, and concluding on September 17. A four-year time jump thrust characters into their 20s: Belly engaged to Jeremiah, Conrad grappling with post-college woes, and everyone navigating the fallout of unresolved feelings. The finale, set against the romantic backdrop of Paris, saw Belly choose Conrad in a swoon-worthy reunion, but notably omitted the books’ epilogue—a wedding that fans immediately flagged as unfinished business.

Han, ever the master storyteller, had teased this possibility in the finale’s credits with a letter to fans: “Maybe we’ll meet again in Cousins one summer.” But the official confirmation came swiftly, with Prime Video announcing the movie as the “definitive conclusion.” In her statement, Han elaborated: “There is another big milestone left in Belly’s journey, and I thought only a movie could give it its proper due. I’m so grateful to Prime Video for continuing to support my vision for this story and for making it possible to share this final chapter with the fans.” Courtenay Valenti and Vernon Sanders from Amazon MGM Studios echoed the enthusiasm: “The Summer I Turned Pretty has struck a chord with audiences everywhere, creating moments of joy, nostalgia, and connection that have made it a global sensation.”

Jenny Han’s involvement is a coup for the project. The 45-year-old author, born to Korean immigrant parents in Richmond, Virginia, has built an empire on heartfelt YA tales. Her To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy became a Netflix juggernaut, with Han executive-producing and making cameos. For Summer, she co-showran Seasons 2 and 3 with Sarah Kucserka, directed episodes, and infused the adaptation with personal touches—like Belly’s heritage mirroring her own. Now, stepping into the director’s chair for her feature debut, Han will co-write the script with Kucserka, ensuring fidelity to the source while expanding for the big screen. “I love the world. I love the cast and the people I work with, so it’s really all a matter of the right story,” Han told The Hollywood Reporter, hinting at potential spin-offs but prioritizing this film’s closure.

Plot details are shrouded in mystery, but speculation is rampant. The books end with Belly and Conrad’s wedding, a fan-favorite moment omitted from the series. “The movie will likely cover the epilogue from We’ll Always Have Summer,” suggests a Reddit thread, with users theorizing a time jump to Belly’s nuptials, perhaps weaving in Jeremiah’s healing arc and family reconciliations. Han’s tease of a “return to Cousins” fuels ideas of beach vows, guest appearances, and Swift-scored montages. Expect themes of maturity: Belly balancing love with independence, Conrad confronting vulnerabilities, and Jeremiah finding peace. Supporting characters like Laurel (Jackie Chung), Steven (Sean Kaufman), Taylor (Rain Spencer), and possibly Susannah in flashbacks will round out the ensemble.

The cast is poised to return, with Tung, Briney, and Casalegno at the forefront. In a Paris press junket, Tung reflected on Belly’s growth: “It was really fun to feel like it was a little bit more of a mature journey… But it was really fun to film and really fun to see sort of play out.” Briney, whose brooding Conrad has amassed a devoted following, hinted at excitement: “Conrad’s ready for the next step—it’s about building a future.” Casalegno added depth to Jeremiah’s role: “He’s healing, but family ties run deep.” Even Blanchard and Chung have floated prequel ideas, imagining young Susannah and Laurel.

Production timelines suggest filming in late spring/summer 2026, with a release eyed for 2027—perfect for a summer blockbuster. Wilmington, North Carolina, the series’ stand-in for Cousins, may host shoots, with potential Paris returns for continuity. Executive producers include Han, Kucserka, Karen Rosenfelt, and Wiip’s Paul Lee, Hope Hartman, and Mads Hansen.

Fan reactions have been explosive. On X, #TSITPMovie trended globally, with @FilmUpdates announcing: “‘THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY’ finale movie is in the works. Jenny Han is set to write and direct.” User @redddlipclassic posted a video: “the summer i turned pretty movie CONFIRMED,” garnering thousands of views. @hosievina echoed: “THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY THE MOVIE?? CONFIRMED!!” PrettyLittleThing chimed in: “It’s not over yet… 💌 The Summer I Turned Pretty: the movie is confirmed 🤍 We’re seated x.” Tumblr declared: “the summer i turned pretty movie is officially confirmed,” with fans “freaking out.” Evie Magazine noted: “It’s official! ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ is getting a movie!”

The series’ cultural impact is undeniable. It boosted tourism to filming spots, spiked Swift streams (think “Dress” in the finale), and sparked discussions on mental health, bisexuality, and grief. With over 25 million viewers for Season 3’s premiere week and 13.8 billion TikTok views, it’s a global sensation. The movie could elevate it to franchise status, though Han emphasizes story over sequels.

As we await more details, one thing’s clear: Cousins Beach calls once more. In Han’s words, this film