'The Summer I Turned Pretty' stars reunite for new film: 'We are so back'

It's the picture millions of fans have been waiting for, and it has finally arrived. The official Instagram account for "The Summer I Turned Pretty" has confirmed that a feature-length film is officially in production, sharing a candid selfie of its beloved lead actors, Lola Tung and Christopher Briney. 

The snap, posted on May 13, 2026, features the duo posing with peace signs in a dimly lit, cosy room, looking directly into the camera. The simple but powerful caption read: "Did you miss them? The Summer I Turned Pretty movie is now in production." The post immediately ignited a firestorm of excitement among the programme's devoted followers, who have been clamouring for more since the series concluded its critically acclaimed run. 

One fan summed up the mood perfectly, commenting: "I can’t believe we are so lucky getting a movie after this masterpiece of a series finale".

Back to the beach

For those unversed, "The Summer I Turned Pretty" became a global phenomenon for Amazon Prime Video, adapting Jenny Han's best-selling young adult book trilogy. The coming-of-age story explores themes of first love, heartbreak, and the transition to adulthood, centring on Isabel "Belly" Conklin (Tung) and her complicated, heart-wrenching love triangle with brothers Conrad (Briney) and Jeremiah Fisher during their idyllic annual summer holidays at the fictional Cousins Beach. 

The television adaptation, which won "Bingeworthy Show of the Year" at the People's Choice Awards in 2024, ran for three seasons, with the final instalment airing in the summer of 2025. Following its conclusion, a film was officially announced in September 2025 to serve as a final chapter. 

This new on-set photo confirms that filming is underway, reportedly taking place in Wilmington, North Carolina, which has served as the backdrop for Cousins Beach throughout the series. The project is in familiar hands, with author Jenny Han set to direct from a script she co-wrote.

'We won so bad'

The reaction in the comments section proves just how much fans missed the world of Cousins Beach. The post was flooded with thousands of emotional and ecstatic responses within minutes. "FINALLY! THE BEST COUPLE EVER!!!" wrote one user, while another declared, "WE ARE SOOOOOO BACK." Eagle-eyed viewers showcased their deep knowledge of the show, quickly pointing out significant details in the photo that others might miss. Many focused on the specific gold-coloured watch on Briney's wrist and the distinctive blue and white tiled fireplace in the background, a location instantly recognisable from the show's most pivotal scenes.

"The watch… the fireplace… aaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!! I’m actually unwell," one fan commented, highlighting the deep connection viewers have with the series' most intimate settings and symbols. The use of the popular fan 'ship name' "BONRAD," a portmanteau of Belly and Conrad, was also widespread, with one follower writing, "okay drop the skincare routine BONRAD".

The overwhelming response, from celebratory cries of "WE WON SO BADDD" to tender messages like "My babys," makes it clear that anticipation for this cinematic conclusion is at a fever pitch. As one fan aptly put it, "I'm literally so shocked seeing this I don’t know what to comment. I’m so ready." The story of summer love is far from over.