Netflix Greenlights Two Emily Henry Films After Recent Success

Netflix is showing serious faith in Emily Henry’s knack for romance, pressing ahead with a pair of new feature films based on her popular novels. After the recent debut of People We Meet on Vacation, which landed on the streamer on 9 January 2026, the platform is keen to keep the momentum going. Starring Emily Bader and Tom Blyth, the film has been described as a Gen-Z take on When Harry Met Sally, and it’s gone down well with critics, scoring a solid 80% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Word is out that Netflix has secured the rights to Funny Story, with development kicking off in 2024. There’s also been a change of plans for Happy Place, which was originally set to become a series but will now be made as a feature film instead. The deal for both projects was inked on 8 January 2026, just a day before People We Meet on Vacation hit the platform. Alex Black, who heads up Lyrical Media—the company behind Funny Story—shared,

‘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.’

New Adaptations on the Horizon

Funny Story centres on Daphne, a children’s librarian left in the lurch after her fiancé, Peter, calls off their engagement, realising he’s still hung up on his childhood mate, Petra. Stuck in Peter’s lakeside hometown, Daphne ends up sharing a place with Miles—Petra’s ex. The two team up to get a bit of payback on their former partners, but as you’d expect, things get complicated when real feelings start to bubble up. Henry herself is penning the script, though there’s no word yet on who’ll direct or star.

Happy Place, which came out in April 2023, follows Harriet and Wyn, a couple who’ve just split but decide to fake being together for one last summer getaway with their closest mates. As the trip unfolds, they’re forced to figure out what—or who—really makes them happy. The project was initially set up as a series with Leila Cohan, known for Bridgerton, as showrunner, but it’s unclear if she’ll stay on now that it’s a film. Jennifer Lopez’s Nuyorican Productions is still involved.

Emily Henry’s Ongoing Winning Streak

Emily Henry has become a household name among romance readers, racking up the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance five years running, starting with People We Meet on Vacation in 2021 and most recently with Great Big Beautiful Life. Both Happy Place and Funny Story have also taken out the top spot in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Netflix’s commitment to adapting her work is clear, though it’s worth noting that 20th Century Studios has nabbed the rights to Beach Read, another of Henry’s bestsellers, which is also in the pipeline for a film adaptation.