New Netflix Movie Based on Hugely Popular Book Becomes An Instant Hit With Over 33M Hours Viewed

The new movie based on a popular book is a huge hit on Netflix, racking up over 33 million views in its first week and becoming the platform’s most-watched film. While some viewers feel it deviates from the source material, the captivating romantic tension at the heart of the story seems to be keeping audiences engaged.

Inspired by Emily Henry’s popular 2021 novel, People We Meet on Vacation is a charming and romantic story about Poppy, a carefree spirit, and Alex, her more reserved best friend. They’ve stayed close for years by taking a yearly summer trip together. As time passes, they start to question whether their relationship could be something more than just friendship. Though romance is central to the story, author Emily Henry emphasized to Tudum that it was crucial to show Poppy and Alex as genuinely platonic best friends with a deep, loving connection – but not a romantic one – at the beginning.

What Do Viewers Love So Much About the Film?

If Emily Henry’s People We Meet on Vacation seems reminiscent of a classic, that’s intentional. Henry drew inspiration from When Harry Met Sally, and while the book’s travel settings are based on her own trips, she credits the movie with sparking the core idea. She envisioned a gender-swapped version of the film, with a female character mirroring Harry and a traditionally romantic male lead taking on Sally’s role. She wanted to explore where these characters would fall in love, deciding that a single location wouldn’t suffice. Instead, she built the story around a 12-year romance unfolding across multiple favorite vacation spots, weaving in details from her own travels.

The movie has generally received positive feedback from both fans and critics. Many appreciate its cozy and familiar feel, even if it follows a predictable rom-com formula. This predictability actually works in its favor, particularly for those who enjoyed the original book. As Archika Khurana of The India Times puts it, the film delivers classic rom-com moments – think rainy kisses and upbeat music – and its comforting predictability is a key part of its charm.

https://comicbook.com/movies/list/5-best-romantic-horror-movies/embed/#

Read More

2026-01-18 20:17