Amazon Greenlights New Feature Film to Conclude The Summer I Turned Pretty

There’s one more summer in Cousins to be had, as Amazon Prime Video announces that a new feature film will officially conclude the hit young adult series.

The streaming service revealed the news during a red-carpet event in Paris celebrating the finale of the show’s third and final season. While details of the film’s plot remain under wraps, the new film is set to continue the story of protagonist Isabel “Belly” Conklin and those closest to her, including the Fisher brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah.

Jenny Han, who wrote the bestselling book trilogy on which the series is based, co-developed the television adaptation and will now pen the screenplay for the concluding film.

“There is another big milestone left in Belly’s journey, and I thought only a movie could give it its proper due,” Han said. “I’m so grateful to Prime Video for continuing to support my vision for this story and for making it possible to share this final chapter with the fans.”

Since premiering in 2022, The Summer I Turned Pretty has become one of Prime Video’s most successful young adult series. The show’s third season attracted 25 million viewers worldwide in its first week alone, according to Amazon, underscoring its wide appeal across audiences.

The series follows Belly Conklin, a teenager who has spent her summers at Cousins Beach with her family friends, the Fisher brothers. What begins as a tradition filled with sun-drenched innocence quickly becomes complicated as Belly finds herself torn between Conrad and Jeremiah, while also navigating grief, friendship, and the complexities of growing up.

The most recent season brought Belly to a turning point, forcing her to make life-defining decisions about love, loyalty, and her future. The film is expected to pick up where those events left off – no spoilers here if you haven’t caught up on the finale yet! – though it is not yet clear whether it will mirror the conclusion of Han’s third novel, We’ll Always Have Summer, or strike out in a new direction.

Part of a wider trend

The decision to conclude the series with a film places The Summer I Turned Pretty within a growing trend of young adult franchises expanding beyond their original format. Netflix found success with Han’s earlier trilogy, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, which was adapted into three hit films starring Lana Condor and Noah Centineo. Other YA favourites such as The Hunger Games, Divergent and After, written by fangirl-turned-published author Anna Todd, have also enjoyed major screen adaptations, although not all have managed to sustain critical or commercial success.

For Amazon, the move to create a full-length feature film from The Summer I Turned Pretty highlights the company’s ambition to compete with rivals by investing in content that inspires strong fandoms and repeat viewing. The show’s blend of nostalgia, romance, and contemporary coming-of-age themes has struck a chord with both younger audiences and older viewers who see their own adolescence reflected in its storylines.

Courtenay Valenti, Head of Film, Streaming and Theatrical at Amazon MGM Studios, and Vernon Sanders, Global Head of Television, praised the cultural resonance of the series. “The Summer I Turned Pretty has struck a chord with audiences everywhere, creating moments of joy, nostalgia, and connection that have made it a global sensation,” they said in a joint statement. “We’re proud of the series’ extraordinary success and couldn’t be more excited to partner again with Jenny Han to bring fans an unforgettable next chapter.”

At the heart of the series is actress Lola Tung, who has earned widespread recognition for her portrayal of Belly. She stars alongside Christopher Briney as Conrad, Gavin Casalegno as Jeremiah, Jackie Chung, Rachel Blanchard, Sean Kaufman and Rain Spencer.

Behind the camera, Han has served as co-showrunner with Sarah Kucserka. Both are also executive producers, alongside Karen Rosenfelt, Paul Lee, Hope Hartman, and Mads Hansen for production company wiip. The series, like the upcoming film, is produced jointly by Amazon Studios and wiip.

Critics have praised the show for its evocative depiction of summer and its deft handling of themes such as grief, parental relationships, and female friendship, which elevate it beyond a straightforward love triangle. Its soundtrack – featuring artists like Taylor Swift – has also become a talking point, further entwining the show with the emotions of its fanbase.

Fans, meanwhile, have taken to social media to debate Belly’s romantic choices, forming distinct “Team Conrad” and “Team Jeremiah” factions. The final film is expected to continue on from where we leave Belly in the finale.

What comes next?

For viewers who have grown up with Han’s books and the television adaptation, the feature film will act as a definitive farewell. While Prime Video has not yet revealed a release date or production timeline, anticipation is already building online, with fans speculating about whether the ending will match the books or surprise them with an original twist.

Whatever the outcome, the film will serve as the last word on a story that has captured imaginations with its portrayal of love, loss, and the fleeting magic of summer.