It’s official: 2026 is the year of book adaptations! Bestselling author Lynn Painter confirmed that Better Than the Movies is… becoming a movie! Ready your popcorn and start curating your soundtracks, because Netflix is officially bringing Wes and Liz to the screen.
On May 6, 2026, Painter happily shared the news, explaining that after five years of publishing her novel, she finally gets to see her "little love lovers" come to life. Taking to social media with a very relatable "GAHHHHHHHHHH!!!", she showed fans how she is over the moon that the project has landed in such capable hands. Specifically, the author shared her excitement that Julia Hart will be directing, noting that she and Jordan Horowitz truly 'get' Liz and Wes, which is the ultimate reassurance for fans who want the characters to stay true to the book.
Premise of Better Than the Movies
Romcom fanatic Liz Buxbaum is determined to finally win over her childhood crush, Michael, and secure a movie-perfect prom date now that he has moved back to town. To get on his radar, she forms an unlikely alliance with her annoying next-door neighbor, Wes Bennett, who happens to be Michael’s new friend.
While the two scheme together to orchestrate Liz’s ‘happily ever after,’ she is surprised to find herself actually enjoying Wes's company despite years of their petty pranking war. As they grow closer, Liz is forced to realize that real-life romance might be found in the person she least expected, rather than the cinematic fantasies she always imagined.
A Story for the Rom-com film lovers and Daydreamers
As a love letter to the rom-com genre, the story is packed with nods to iconic rom-coms like Notting Hill, When Harry Met Sally, 10 Things I Hate About You, Bridget Jones’s Diary, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, and many more! Plus, if you're a Swiftie, you'll love hunting for the various musical easter eggs tucked away in every chapter! Finally, if you’re a sucker for the enemies-to-lovers or boy-next-door tropes, this adaptation is essentially your daydream come to life.
Fan Cast for Wes and Liz
While no official news has been released regarding the cast or release date, BookTok is already in a frenzy over who should play our lead duo. Many readers are eyeing Percy Jackson and the Olympians star Charlie Bushnell for Wes, considering he already brought the character to life as the narrator for the book's sequel, Nothing Like the Movies. As for Liz, her signature red hair has fans championing Stranger Things star Sadie Sink, while others are rooting for Lola Tung (The Summer I Turned Pretty) to bring her character to life.
Behind the Scenes: A Rom-Com Dream Team
According to Deadline, the upcoming film adaptation will be released by and will be produced by Original Headquarters — the same team behind the upcoming August 14 Netflix release Don’t Say Good Luck. With director Julia Hart and writers Jordan Horowitz and Heather Flanders at the helm, the production is backed by a team that specializes in heartfelt, visual storytelling. It’s no wonder Netflix moved quickly on the rights; the novel has spent a staggering 41 consecutive months on the New York Times Bestseller list, making it one of the most successful YA romances of the decade.
While waiting for the film adaptation, you can revisit the story Better Than the Movies, available at National Book Store! You can also shop in our official stores on www.nationalbookstore.com, Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.
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