Summer 2025 was The Summer We All Crashed Out Over Tiny Engagement Rings and French Bobs. Even if you didn't watch The Summer I Turned Pretty unfurl over 10 dramatic weeks, you likely followed along through cultural osmosis, wondering what would happen once Taylor Swift's favorite series came to an end. Luckily for fans, we don't have to answer that question yet.
On September 17, just hours after the season 3 finale landed on Prime Video, the streamer announced that episode 12 exists...sort of. The Summer I Turned Pretty will return for a special finale, comprised of a feature-length movie. Showrunner/author of the original book series Jenny Han is set to direct and co-write the film with co-showrunner Sarah Kucserka, which "will wrap up Belly’s (Lola Tung) story," per The Hollywood Reporter.
"There is another big milestone left in Belly’s journey, and I thought only a movie could give it its proper due," Han said in a statement. "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."
Diehard fans of the books know what remaining milestone the movie will likely cover, but Han's final adaptation may have some surprises for us. Below, we've gathered everything we know about The Summer I Turned Pretty finale movie so far. (If you need a breakdown of TSITP's season 3 finale, we've got you covered.)
When will 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' finale movie come out?
Prime Video has not announced a premiere date for the Summer I Turned Pretty movie. However, after eagle-eyed fans discovered a production notice in February that stated filming was set to begin in late April, it looks like everything is going according to plan. According to local news outlets and fans who captured sneaky content, filming is officially underway in Wilmington, North Carolina. Several lucky onlookers caught sight of stars Tung and Briney, as well as Gavin Casalegno, Rain Spencer, and Sean Kaufman riding on a small speedboat outside of a marina at sunset.
According to the original production notice, filming is scheduled to last until late June. If the shoot and post-production go well, it's possible the movie could hit streaming by early 2027.
At the very least, we know it won't debut in 2026. When season 3 ended, Han confirmed on TODAY that she and co-showrunner Sarah Kucserka had finished a draft of the movie screenplay, but it was "still a little too soon to say" when it would come out. However, she thought that it wouldn't be released in 2026. She said, "We don't know when it's coming out, but not next year. Still have to make it."
Here's to hoping fans won't have to wait a full two years to return to Cousins, as they did between seasons 2 and 3. (And, hey, sounds like the release could make for great plans for Valentine's Day 2027!)
What will 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' finale movie be about?
The Summer I Turned Pretty's season 3 finale ended where the series started, with Belly choosing Conrad (Christopher Briney). It took a first ill-fated attempt at a relationship, a college romance with his little brother Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno), a broken engagement, and a soul-searching study abroad in Paris, but Belly finally built a life outside of the Fisher family's orbit before deciding to share that life with her first love. Season 3, episode 11, titled "At Last," concludes with a brief scene of Belly and Conrad returning to the beach house, as the voiceover says, "And just as it always had, the beach house held a million promises of summer. And what just might be."
However, the book season 3 is based on, We'll Always Have Summer, ends with a flash-forward to a second Cousins Beach wedding and a more definitive happy-ever-after. As Han's mention of a "final milestone" alluded to, the chances are that the movie will chronicle Belly and Conrad's courtship and eventual "I dos," while also wrapping up some of the show's lingering storylines involving Jeremiah, Steven (Sean Kaufman), Laurel (Jackie Chung), and Denise (Isabella Briggs). (Though, wouldn't it be hilarious if the big event was Belly's college graduation?)
Who in the cast will return for 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' finale movie?
In many ways, Belly chose herself, but romantically, she also chose Conrad. So, of course, our faves, Lola Tung and Christopher Briney, will return to their roles as OTP Isabel "Belly" Conklin and Conrad Fisher. When news of the movie broke, the two stars both shared a photo of themselves posing in front of a sign that says "The Summer I Turned Pretty The Movie" at the finale premiere event.
Based on viral shots from the film's set, it appears as though Jeremiah himself, Gavin Casalegno, will reprise his role, along with the rest of the primary series cast, including Steven (Sean Kaufman) and Taylor (Rain Spencer). While nothing is confirmed, it seems likely that Laurel (Jackie Chung), Denise (Isabella Briggs), and others will also return. We'll have to wait for an official casting announcement to be sure, though!
Who is working behind-the-scenes on 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' finale movie?
As we noted, Han is returning to write/direct the upcoming movie. She's also working on the screenplay along with Sarah Kucserka, who was a co-showrunner/writer on the original series. We have our trust in them for a swoon-worthy final chapter!
What has the cast said about 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' finale movie?
The cast has remained tight-lipped about the highly anticipated movie finale, but Tung has teased a little bit about what fans can expect. While speaking on Variety's "Up Next" podcast in late March, she revealed that she hadn't actually read the screenplay yet, but was in conversation with Han.
"I’ve talked to Jenny a lot about ideas," the actress admitted. "I’m excited to read the script."
She also shared where she suspects her character and Conrad are at the start of the film, implying a long-distance relationship and the two focusing on their individual lives. She described Belly "living her life in Paris," while Conrad is busy "doing is doctor stuff."
Tung added, "They love each other so much."
Based on the first photos from the set, we know they're set to reunite in North Carolina—but we'll have to wait and see what's really next for these two lovebirds!
You can buy The Summer I Turned Pretty book series on Bookshop.org.
