The Summer I Turned Pretty Movie On Hold Until Cast Ages Up — Don’t Expect It Next Year
The showrunner is pushing for a brief delay, arguing that giving the young cast time to edge into adulthood will deliver a more authentic, higher-stakes season.
Good news/bad news for The Summer I Turned Pretty fans: yes, the series is getting a proper finale as a feature film. No, you will not be watching it in 2026. Creator Jenny Han wants a time jump, she wants the actors older, and she is very openly taking the time to do both.
What just happened
Hours after the season 3 finale dropped on Wednesday, 17 September, Amazon officially gave the go-ahead for a movie to wrap up the story. Plot and casting are still under wraps, but Han is back to write it with Sarah Kucserka. The announcement happened at the show’s finale red carpet celebration in Paris, because of course it did.
Where the movie stands (and why the wait)
Han told Variety she has an early draft, but don’t read that as a fast track. She wants a real gap between the season 3 ending and the film, and she flat-out ruled out a 2026 release.
"No, I don’t think so."
That was Han’s answer when asked if the movie could be out next year. She spelled it out: they haven’t filmed, she wants extra time, and the goal is for the cast to be a little closer to adulthood before cameras roll. If you’ve tracked Belly’s arc from 15 turning 16 to, well, a fully formed young woman, you get the logic. For the detail-oriented: star Lola Tung is 22 now, which Han notes as part of why a little breathing room makes sense.
Yes, she wants a time jump
Han confirmed the plan includes a jump forward, but when pressed on how far ahead, her answer was a refreshingly blunt: "No." Translation: she hasn’t locked that down yet. Inside baseball, but interesting all the same.
The reason it’s a movie at all
Onstage in Paris, Han framed the finale film as the only way to do the last big beat justice, and she thanked Prime Video for backing the plan.
"There is another big milestone left in Belly’s journey, and I thought only a movie could give it its proper due."
She also added how grateful she is to Prime Video for supporting her vision and letting her share this final chapter with fans.
So, where does that leave us?
- Amazon has greenlit a feature film to conclude the series, announced at the season 3 finale event in Paris.
- Jenny Han is co-writing with Sarah Kucserka; an early draft exists.
- No plot or casting details yet, beyond the expectation of a time jump.
- Production won’t start until the cast is a little older, by design.
- Do not expect a 2026 release.
In the meantime, The Summer I Turned Pretty is streaming on Prime Video. Patience, Cousins Beach faithful. The goodbye is coming — just not next year.