Netflix Greenlights Emily Henry Films Funny Story, Happy Place

Netflix has expanded its partnership with bestselling author Emily Henry by greenlighting film adaptations of her novels "Funny Story" and "Happy Place," the streamer announced Thursday, just ahead of the premiere of her first Netflix project, "People We Meet on Vacation."

The upcoming release, set for January 9, 2026, adapts Henry's 2021 novel about two best friends, Poppy and Alex, who embark on annual summer vacations despite their contrasting personalities. Poppy, a vibrant travel writer played by Emily Bader, thrives on adventure, while Alex, portrayed by Tom Blyth, prefers a structured life as a teacher. Their decade-long tradition unravels after a drunken kiss in Croatia leads to a two-year silence, prompting a final trip to Palm Springs to mend their bond and confront unspoken romantic feelings. Directed by Brett Haley and co-written by Yulin Kuang, Amos Vernon, and Nunzio Randazzo, the film employs a nonlinear narrative to weave past trips with present tensions. The ensemble cast includes Sarah Catherine Hook, Lucien Laviscount, Miles Heizer, Jameela Jamil, Tommy Do, Lukas Gage, Alice Lee, Molly Shannon, and Alan Ruck. Filming took place primarily in New Orleans, with...