Released on Netflix on Jan. 9, 2026, “People We Meet on Vacation” has quickly proved it can be the next big rom-com due to its relatable, witty and romantic plot.
The movie is based on the book by Emily Henry and was brought to life by director Brett Haley. Leads Emily Badger and Tom Blyth help the movie capture the same chemistry found in the book. After watching the film, it is easy to see that this onscreen connection gives the movie the potential to mirror the success of the novel.
The film follows Poppy and Alex, two best friends who met in college. Poppy loves to travel and wants Alex to love it as much as she does, so they make it a goal to go on a vacation every summer. They visit destinations like New Orleans and Nashville, growing closer each year. No matter what is happening in their personal lives, they prioritize making the best out of their summer trips.
The plot builds toward a vacation in Croatia where an incident causes them to stop talking for two years. Many summers later, Poppy attempts one last vacation to Barcelona for the wedding of Alex’s brother. Poppy debates going but uses the trip as a chance to discover what went wrong and try to rekindle their friendship.
Watching the plot unfold is amazing on its own, but the film’s formatting is one of its best features. It switches between the present day and past summer vacations leading up to the big moments in Croatia. This structure helps viewers feel as if they are experiencing every moment with the characters, making it difficult to pause the movie. It is also fun to follow Poppy, who provides most of the comedy with her ambitious attitude.
The movie also has a 2000s rom-com feel because of its visual style. It uses a warm, saturated filter that evokes elements of past favorites. The light, updated music also helps viewers feel the emotions of specific situations in the film.
“People We Meet on Vacation” shows it has the elements required to be the next big romantic comedy. The upbeat setting and amazing characters make it fun to watch and hard to turn off. It is an easy movie to follow, and even for someone with a short attention span, it was easy to sit down and binge-watch. There is no doubt other viewers will enjoy every second of it.
