Picture: Julia Hart (left) is directing the adaptation of Lynn Painter’s Better Than the Movies (right)
Netflix is adapting Lynn Painter’s bestselling YA novel Better Than the Movies! Helmed by Julia Hart, who recently directed Netflix’s Don’t Say Good Luck, filming is scheduled to begin in Chicago, Illinois, on September 3, 2026. Although the cast has yet to be announced, here’s everything we know so far about Netflix’s adaptation of Better Than the Movies.
Better Than the Movies is an upcoming Netflix Original romantic comedy film directed and co-written by Julia Hart. The film is an adaptation of Lynn Painter’s bestselling YA novel of the same name. Co-writing the screenplay alongside Hart are Jordan Horowitz (La La Land) and Heather Flanders (iCarly).
This is the third film Hart has been attached to direct for Netflix; the first was My Lovely Wife (which has been in limbo since 2023), and the second is Don’t Say Good Luck, which will be released on Netflix on August 14, 2026.
Picture: Sadie Sandler (left) and Julia Hart (right) on the set of Don’t Say Good Luck – Netflix
Shauna Phelan (Snow Day) and Jordan Horowitz are confirmed as producers on the film, with Original Headquarters as the production studio.
What is the plot of Better Than the Movies?
The synopsis for the film has been sourced from Production Weekly:
“The teen rom-com follows a hopelessly romantic teen girl and her cute yet obnoxious neighbor as they scheme to get her noticed by her untouchable crush. Perpetual daydreamer Liz Buxbaum gave her heart to Michael a long time ago. But her cool, aloof forever crush never really saw her before he moved away. Now that he’s back in town, Liz will do whatever it takes to get on his radar—and maybe snag him as a prom date—even befriend Wes Bennet. The annoyingly attractive next-door neighbor might seem like a prime candidate for romantic comedy fantasies, but Wes has only been a pain in Liz’s butt since they were kids. Pranks involving frogs and decapitated lawn gnomes do not a potential boyfriend make. Yet, somehow, Wes and Michael are hitting it off, which means Wes is Liz’s in. But as Liz and Wes scheme to get Liz noticed by Michael so she can have her magical prom moment, she’s shocked to discover that she likes being around Wes. And as they continue to grow closer, she must reexamine everything she thought she knew about love—and rethink her own ideas of what Happily Ever After should look like.”
Who are the cast members of Better Than the Movies?
At the time of writing, there are no confirmed cast members for the film. However, we expect casting news to be announced soon.
What is the production status of Better Than the Movies?
Development
Filming Scheduled
Filming Ongoing
Post-Production
Production Weekly reported in issue 1513 that Better Than the Movies will begin filming in Chicago, Illinois, on September 3, 2026. The shoot will last for several weeks before ending on October 21, 2026.
Filming dates are subject to change.
When will Better Than the Movies be released on Netflix?
With filming set to conclude before the end of October 2026, it’s likely we will see the film released on Netflix sometime in Summer or Fall 2027.
We expect to learn more when Netflix releases its 2027 film slate early next year.
Once Netflix releases its 2027 film slate early next year, we’ll have more knowledge
Are you looking forward to watching Better Than the Movies on Netflix? Let us know in the comments below!