The Summer I Turned Pretty Movie: Your Next Trip to Cousins Beach is Coming

If you have been keeping up with the drama at Cousins Beach you are not alone. The Summer I Turned Pretty has captured a massive audience. Viewers have poured over every episode of the Prime Video hit. Now, with Season 3 complete, fans look to the future.

Good news arrived for everyone who wants more of Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah. A movie is officially coming to finish off the story. While details are still few, the excitement is building. Let us dive into what we know about this beloved show and its upcoming cinematic conclusion.

The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Delivered Big Viewer Numbers on Prime Video

Season 3 of The Summer I Turned Pretty truly outdid itself. Prime Video reported that it gathered 70 million global viewers in its first 70 days. This includes the first seven days that the finale was available. That number is a huge jump, showing a 65% increase over Season 2's audience within the same timeframe. The show saw notable growth from the 25 million global viewers it had in its first seven days post-premiere.

This popularity extends far beyond the United States. A significant 60% of The Summer I Turned Pretty audience comes from outside the U.S. Countries like the UK, Germany, and Brazil showed strong viewing numbers. Season 3 also held the top spot globally on Prime Video during its launch window. It also became the most-watched television season among women aged 18-34 ever on Prime Video.

It is important to remember that Amazon often reports "viewers" for popular titles. However, the company has not provided a clear explanation of how this metric is measured. Regardless, the figures confirm the show's strong hold on its audience.

How a Weekly Episode Schedule Fueled Fan Engagement and Social Media Chatter

The success of Season 3 was not just about the numbers. It was also about how fans watched it. Unlike many streaming shows that drop an entire season at once, The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 opted for a weekly release schedule. This choice helped build excitement and allowed for discussions to grow around each episode. Jenny Han, the show's creator, noted that the weekly drop "enhanced the experience." It also "prolonged the suspense," making fans feel the same anticipation as the characters.

This strategy created a feeling similar to classic YA shows from the 2000s, like Gossip Girl or The O.C. Back then, viewers had to wait a week for new episodes. Now, fans connected on social media platforms like TikTok rather than old fan blogs. The decision to make social media a focus early on paid off. Amazon's social team created marketing campaigns meant to connect with the target audience. TikTok dances within the show and the inclusion of Taylor Swift's music also played a big part in its appeal.

The weekly schedule helped viewership grow gradually. For example, Episode 5, featuring Conrad's perspective, saw viewership spike to 665 million minutes. Episode 8, with Belly and Jeremiah's called-off wedding, brought in 717 million minutes. Episode 9, beginning Belly's Parisian journey, hit 736 million minutes. This shows how each episode became a major event, keeping fans hooked from week to week.

Even the midnight release strategy, which initially caused some grumbling, ended up working. Fans adjusted, flooding social media with reactions in the early hours. This created a fear of missing out, pushing viewers to watch as soon as possible.

The Unique Phenomenon of "Hate-Watching" a Beloved Romantic Drama

For many, watching The Summer I Turned Pretty was not always "warm and fuzzy." Some viewers found themselves frustrated, tense, or even angry with the characters' choices. The main character Belly, moving from one brother to another and back, along with cheating, a canceled wedding, and plenty of lying, created many unhealthy relationship tropes. Viewers sometimes "hated" Belly's decisions.

Psychological research suggests that experiencing negative feelings, such as hatred for a character, can actually trigger positive hormones like oxytocin, dopamine, or serotonin. This can leave viewers feeling happy in the end. So, the frustration itself may have been a key part of the show's draw. Fans bonded over their shared strong feelings for the show. This community feeling was a common report among viewers. Many preferred to watch in groups, turning it into a shared experience filled with laughter and mutual frustration.

For example, one student recounted hosting a watch party for 20 people. Another said she would only watch it alone if she was "hitting rock bottom." This highlights how the show brought people together, even if it was to discuss their shared annoyance with the storyline. It provided a reason for friends to gather, talk, laugh, and bond over fictional characters.

Jenny Han's Understanding of Audiences Built a Romance Entertainment Powerhouse

The success of The Summer I Turned Pretty is closely tied to its creator, Jenny Han. Han is the author of the book trilogy the show is based on. She also serves as co-showrunner. Her deep understanding of young adult audiences has been a key factor in her success.

Before becoming a famous writer and showrunner, Han held various jobs. She worked as a server at Olive Garden, a nanny, and a librarian. It was her time as a school librarian that really helped her connect with young readers. She would read new books daily to understand what her audience wanted. This experience allowed her to tap into a huge market with millions of devoted fans.

Han's past work also includes the hit Netflix trilogy To All the Boys I've Loved Before. That series was adapted into one of Netflix's most-viewed original films ever, drawing over 80 million subscribers. She has since expanded that into a spinoff series, XO, Kitty. This string of wins shows Han's ability to craft stories that resonate deeply with audiences. She has built a romance entertainment powerhouse, moving from book publishing to Hollywood with a clear vision.

The Summer I Turned Pretty Movie: What We Know and Don't Know About the Grand Finale

Fans were shocked when it was announced that Season 3, thought to be the series conclusion, was not the end. Just hours after the finale landed on Prime Video, news broke of a feature-length movie in the works. This film will properly conclude The Summer I Turned Pretty story. Jenny Han will direct and co-write the movie with Sarah Kucserka.

Plot details are still under wraps. Han herself admitted she has not finished writing it yet. There is no information on whether Amazon would consider a theatrical release. Han stated that wrapping up Belly and Conrad's story with a movie "was always my vision." She wants to "deliver that to them in a bigger way than wrapping up at the end of the season."

The movie aims to show "Belly and Conrad together in a relationship," according to Han. She added that while the finale showed "the beginnings of a return to each other," the movie will show what that relationship looks like. There is also much "unfinished business" between Conrad and Jeremiah. The movie will need to show them "reintegrate" with their family and friends. Lola Tung, who plays Belly, said there is "so much to explore." This includes Belly's relationships with Jeremiah, Steven, and Taylor.

As of now, a release date has not been set for the movie. One report suggested an expected release in 2027, but this remains unconfirmed. For now, fans must wait for more news about this highly anticipated conclusion.

What the Cast Knows About the Future of Belly and the Fisher Brothers

Even the stars of The Summer I Turned Pretty are eager for details about the movie. Gavin Casalegno, who plays Jeremiah, confessed he knows "literally nothing" about the film. He even "tried to bribe Jenny to give me some insider tips," but did not succeed.

Christopher Briney, who plays Conrad, mentioned that the movie will address the aftermath of Belly and Conrad choosing each other. He pointed out "a lot unaddressed" between Conrad and Jeremiah. He said the film will need to show them "reintegrate" with their family and friends.

Lola Tung, portraying Belly, also noted the many loose ends. She stated, "It's kind of like the beginning of their happy relationship. But there's a lot of unfinished business with Jeremiah and even Steven and Taylor." The actors seem to be just as much in the dark as the fans, which only adds to the suspense.

Other Shows to Watch While You Wait for More Cousins Beach Drama

If you are feeling a void after The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, many other shows can fill that gap. Whether you seek more teenage angst, book adaptations, or another love triangle, there are options to explore:

• My Life with the Walter Boys: Fans call this Netflix series the "yeehaw version" of The Summer I Turned Pretty. It follows orphaned teen Jackie as she moves to a ranch and develops feelings for two brothers, Cole and Alex Walter. You can watch this on Netflix.
• XO, Kitty: From Jenny Han herself, this is a spinoff from her To All The Boys I've Loved Before trilogy. It follows Lara Jean's younger sister Kitty Covey at boarding school in Seoul. Find it on Netflix.
• Outer Banks: For a similar beach vibe, this Netflix hit follows friends in North Carolina on a treasure hunt. Expect drama, danger, and mystery across four seasons. You can watch this on Netflix.
• One Tree Hill: If you crave another brother-love triangle, this show follows half-brothers Lucas and Nathan Scott. They are basketball rivals who are also interested in the same person, Peyton Sawyer. This classic teen drama is on HBO Max.
• Heartstopper: This book-to-screen adaptation follows a teen romance between Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson. It has received high praise and will also conclude with a feature film. Watch this on Netflix.
• Dawson's Creek: The original teen series that paved the way for love triangles and drama. Many compare Belly's situation to the relationships among Dawson, Joey, and Pacey. This show is available on Hulu.
• We Were Liars: Prime Video's newer book adaptation is a mystery thriller. It follows Cadence Sinclair as she tries to recall what happened last summer after an accident caused amnesia. Stream this on Prime Video.
• One Day: This show explores a slow-burning relationship over 14 years, playing into the "will they, won't they" trope between Emma and Dexter. It can be found on Netflix.
• Never Have I Ever: Mindy Kaling's show covers themes like grief, self-discovery, and love. Devi Vishwakumar finds herself in a love triangle between her rival Ben and the popular Paxton. This series is available on Netflix.

Anticipating the Next Chapter for Cousins Beach and its Beloved Characters

The Summer I Turned Pretty has truly made a mark, uniting fans in their enthusiasm and even their frustrations. From its impressive viewership numbers to its smart use of social media, the series has proven its power in the YA entertainment space. Jenny Han's vision and understanding of her audience have allowed this story to grow from beloved books to a global streaming hit.

Now, with a movie confirmed to bring the story to its full conclusion, the wait begins anew. While details are scarce and the cast members themselves are in the dark, the promise of seeing Belly and Conrad's relationship develop, and other loose ends tied up, keeps the anticipation high. Whether you are Team Conrad, Team Jeremiah, or just a fan of the drama, the return to Cousins Beach for one last adventure is something to look forward to.