🚨 BREAKING: Netflix just dropped a rom-com bombshell based on THAT bestselling book… and in ONLY 4 DAYS it’s already ruling the entire world! 😱❤️🔥

You know the kind of friendship where two total opposites somehow end up taking epic vacations together every single year? From wild cities to dreamy beaches, nonstop laughs, tiny fights… until ONE massive blow-up fight ghosts each other for TWO WHOLE YEARS.

Then comes the final trip. The one that forces everything to the surface. Sparks that were always there. Chemistry so intense it hurts. That one jaw-dropping moment from the leading man that has the internet melting. And an ending that will leave you screaming, crying, hugging your pillow… or immediately texting that one person you’ve been “just friends” with forever.

This thing premiered and BOOM — 17.2 MILLION views in its first week, straight to #1 globally. The original book shot back to the top of bestseller lists. BookTok is in full meltdown mode. Fans of the novel are crying happy tears saying it’s “perfectly faithful,” while new viewers are bingeing and refusing to leave their couches.

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Netflix has another streaming juggernaut on its hands. The platform’s new romantic comedy People We Meet on Vacation, adapted from Emily Henry’s 2021 bestselling novel, has stormed to the top of the global charts just days after its January 8 premiere. According to Netflix’s official Tudum rankings for the week of January 5-11, the film racked up 17.2 million views, claiming the No. 1 spot on the movies list and outperforming a mix of true-crime docs, older rom-coms, and family animation.

The quick ascent isn’t entirely surprising in an era where BookTok-driven novels frequently translate to screen success, but the speed and scale here stand out. Henry’s book — already a New York Times bestseller when it first hit shelves — surged back onto bestseller lists in the lead-up to the release, proving once again that Netflix adaptations can breathe new life into source material while minting fresh hits.

The story centers on Poppy (Emily Bader) and Alex (Tom Blyth), college best friends whose stark personality differences — she’s spontaneous and adventure-seeking, he’s structured and risk-averse — somehow fuel an annual tradition of summer getaways. Over the years, their trips take them from New Orleans to Barcelona and beyond, building a bond that feels unbreakable… until a major fallout leaves them estranged for two years. When Poppy reaches out for one last vacation, old sparks fly, forcing both to confront whether their friendship has quietly become something more.

Henry, who has built a devoted following with her signature blend of witty banter, emotional depth, and slow-burn romance, saw People We Meet on Vacation as her breakout after Beach Read went viral during the pandemic. This marks her first work to reach the screen, directed by Brett Haley and featuring a script that Henry herself has praised for capturing the book’s spirit while making smart expansions for visual storytelling.

Bader, known for roles in My Lady Jane, brings a vibrant energy to Poppy, while Blyth — fresh off his turn as young Coriolanus Snow in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes — plays the more grounded Alex with a quiet intensity that contrasts sharply with his blockbuster villain past. Early reactions from viewers highlight the pair’s chemistry as a major draw, with many calling it one of the most authentic friends-to-lovers dynamics in recent rom-coms.

Critics have been largely positive, awarding the film an 88% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on early reviews. Praise centers on the faithful adaptation of Henry’s dialogue-heavy style, the travel montage visuals that pop on screen, and the emotional payoff that lands without feeling forced. Some reviewers note that the film’s 109-minute runtime allows breathing room for character development, a rarity in streaming originals that often rush plots.

However, not all feedback is glowing. Metacritic scores hover around 53, indicating “mixed or average” reviews, with a few critics pointing to familiar rom-com tropes and occasional pacing dips in the middle act. Still, audience scores remain high, suggesting the film resonates more strongly with general viewers than with professional critics — a pattern seen in other Netflix book adaptations like The Idea of You or Red, White & Royal Blue.

The success arrives amid Netflix’s ongoing push into literary adaptations. The streamer has long bet on novels as reliable IP sources, from Harlan Coben’s thrillers to Colleen Hoover’s dramas and now Emily Henry’s rom-com universe. With People We Meet on Vacation proving the model works for lighter fare, Netflix announced during the film’s rollout that it is developing two more Henry novels — Funny Story and Happy Place — as feature films. Henry herself has been involved in the process, offering input on casting and tone to ensure the adaptations stay true to her voice.

For Blyth and Bader, the project represents a pivot toward more grounded, romantic roles after genre-heavy work. Blyth, in particular, has drawn attention for his shift from dystopian drama to heartfelt comedy, with Henry herself commenting in a Tudum interview on his ability to convey subtle emotion — a “jaw flicker” moment that became a fan-favorite detail.

Behind the scenes, production spanned multiple locations to faithfully recreate the book’s vacation settings, adding a glossy, escapist feel that aligns with Netflix’s strategy of delivering feel-good content amid heavier originals. The timing also couldn’t be better: January often sees viewership spikes for cozy, uplifting stories as audiences seek escapes from post-holiday routines.

The film’s dominance has ripple effects beyond streaming numbers. The original novel climbed back onto Amazon and New York Times bestseller lists, a common but still impressive outcome for adaptations. It underscores how screen versions can introduce books to entirely new audiences, especially younger readers influenced by social media book communities.

Not every Netflix book adaptation hits this hard — some flame out quickly or draw backlash from purists upset over changes — but People We Meet on Vacation appears to have threaded the needle. Fans of the book largely approve of the tweaks (like expanded flashbacks and visual gags), while newcomers find the story accessible and charming.

As Netflix continues rolling out 2026 content, including other literary projects like Agatha Christie’s The Seven Dials Mystery limited series and upcoming seasons of established hits, People We Meet on Vacation sets a strong early benchmark for the year. Whether it sustains its momentum or becomes another one-week wonder remains to be seen, but for now, it’s clear: Emily Henry’s brand of romance has found a welcoming home on the small screen — and viewers are packing their virtual suitcases to join the trip.