Based on Jenny Han’s bestselling YA novels, Prime Video’s The Summer I Turned Pretty has brought to life one of the best love triangles of this generation. Isabel “Belly” Conkin (Lola Tung) has spent every summer of her life at her mother’s best friend’s beach house in the seaside town of Cousins. Over the summer of her 16th birthday, her relationship with the Fisher brothers — Conrad (Christopher Briney), her long-life crush, and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno), who she considers one of her best friends — develops into something more.
Belly’s story of first love and self-discovery is as heartwarming as it is chaotic. Sprinkled with serious themes, family drama, and teenage angst, the wonderfully nostalgic series resonates with audiences of all ages.
The Summer I Turned Pretty
- Release Date
-
2022 – 2025-00-00
- Network
-
Prime Video
- Directors
-
Erica Dunton, Jesse Peretz, Jeff Chan
-
Lola Tung
Isabel ‘Belly’ Conklin
-
Christopher Briney
Conrad Fisher
-
Gavin Casalegno
Jeremiah Fisher
-
Sean Kaufman
Steven Conklin
If you’re one of the many fans who have become captivated by the teen melodrama, you’ll be pleased to discover these 10 coming-of-age romance movies that have the same type of young love, addictive storytelling, and relatable characters. Whether you’re Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah, these films are bound to tug at your heartstrings.
10
‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’ (2018)
Also based on a novel by Jenny Han, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the project that launched Noah Centineo to heartthrob status. Lana Condor stars as Lara Jean Covey, a hardworking 16-year-old junior, the middle sister in her family, and a true romantic. Although she’s had many crushes in her life, she’s never expressed those feelings. Instead, she has written letters to all the boys she has ever liked, keeping them tucked in the back of her closet. Her younger sister Kitty (Anna Cathcart) mails them out, throwing Lara Jean’s life into chaos.
An Endlessly Charming Movie With Adorable Characters
If you enjoy the fake dating trope, this one’s for you. When Centineo’s Peter Kavinsky approaches her about his letter, the two strike up an advantageous deal to fake a romance, which soon becomes real. This warm, comforting tale about first love will sweep you off your feet, no matter how old you are. Its emphasis on sisterhood and Korean culture set it apart from other teen romances. With three books in the series, the movie is the first in a film trilogy, followed by P.S. I Love You and Always and Forever. In 2023, Han developed a spin-off series for Netflix, XO, Kitty, with Cathcart reprising her role as Kitty.
9
‘Love, Simon’ (2018)
Love, Simon
- Release Date
-
February 16, 2018
- Runtime
-
110
- Director
-
Greg Berlanti
- Writers
-
Elizabeth Berger, Isaac Aptaker, Becky Albertalli
Despite having a seemingly perfect life on the outside, Simon (Nick Robinson) has been keeping his sexuality from his family and friends a secret, causing him to feel alone and anxious. When he sees an anonymous online post written by another closeted student at his school, he initiates an email correspondence with the mysterious “Blue.” Bonding over their shared experiences, Simon develops feelings, despite not knowing his identity. When those emails end up in the wrong hands, blackmail ensues.
An Endearing Queer Tale
Like The Summer I Turned Pretty, Love, Simon is adapted from a beloved YA novel, Becky Albertalli’s Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. The charming romcom is a vibrant, moving film about coming out, first love, and self-acceptance. Simon’s journey of revealing his true self to the world will resonate with everyone, regardless of age or sexuality. Mirroring TSITP, friendship and family are central in Simon’s story.
8
‘Alex Strangelove’ (2018)
Alex Strangelove is another coming-of-age romantic comedy about a teenage boy grappling with his sexuality. It follows class president Alex Truelove (Daniel Doheny), who starts dating his longtime friend Claire (Madeline Weinstein) after comforting her in a time of need leads to a kiss. The two set a date for him to lose his virginity to her, but when Alex meets Elliot (Antonio Marziale) at a party, he cannot get him out of his head, making him question his sexuality.
An Underappreciated Netflix Original
The film explores themes of sexual identity and fluidity, following Alex as he juggles his relationship with Claire and blossoming connection with Elliot. Similar to The Summer I Turned Pretty, the romcom portrays a love triangle and friendship struggles. Like Belly, Alex feels pulled in different directions between two people he deeply cares for. Although the movie delves into serious themes, it retains a lighthearted approach.
Related
10 Huge Changes ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Show Made to the Book Trilogy
While the series remains largely faithful to the book, it has taken some liberties and made notable changes to adapt the story for television.
7
‘Sierra Burgess Is a Loser’ (2018)
Sierra Burgess Is a Loser
- Release Date
-
September 7, 2018
- Runtime
-
105 Minutes
- Director
-
Ian Samuels
- Writers
-
Lindsey Anderson Beer
Shannon Purser (Riverdale and Stranger Things) stars as the titular heroine, a smart, talented, and quiet high school girl. When the popular Veronica (Kristine Froseth, The Buccaneers) passes Sierra’s phone number as her own to Jamey (Noah Centineo), a football player from another high school, he and Sierra get close and start to fall for each other. The problem is, Jamey thinks it’s Veronica whom he has been texting with and talking to.
An Escapist Romcom
Although there is a list of things that Sierra Burgess Is a Loser could have done better, it isn’t without its merits. The movie remains a quintessential dramatic teen romance comedy. Purser shines in her role, and Centineo is as lovable as ever. Fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty who are looking for a coming-of-age tale of first love and self-discovery will find much to love about the film.
6
‘The Half of It’ (2020)
High school drama meets Edmund Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac in this tender coming-of-age romance. Leah Lewis stars as a lonely, shy, and bright high school student named Ellie Chu, who lives with her widower father. Her social interactions are limited to writing essays for her classmates’ assignments in exchange for cash. Everything changes for her when Paul Munsky (Daniel Diemer), a football jock, hires her to write love letters for the beautiful Aster Flores (Alexxis Lemire). As an unexpected friendship sparks between Paul and Ellie, Ellie finds herself also falling for Aster.
A Sweet Queer Dramedy
With no shortage of teen dramas centered around social outcasts, The Half of It is a standout for revolving around a Chinese lesbian immigrant, providing a unique and important perspective, as well as a deeper narrative. Although this love triangle is more complex than Belly-Conrad-Jeremiah, it features similar ups and downs. Like Belly, Ellie grows into herself along the way, transforming into someone more confident. As one of Netflix’s most underrated original movies, it deserves a lot more love.
5
‘Chemical Hearts’ (2020)
Chemical Hearts is based on Our Chemical Hearts, the 2016 novel by beloved YA author Krystal Sutherland. Henry Page (Austin Abrams, Do Revenge), an aspiring writer, learns he must share his high school’s newspaper editor role with Grace (Lili Reinhart, Riverdale), a newly arrived transfer student who walks with a mysterious limp. Although the morose Grace is initially standoffish and guarded, the acquaintance between the two blossoms into something more.
A Heartbreaking Teen Drama
The movie is a lot more raw than other entries on this list, delving into themes of trauma and depression. Just like The Summer I Turned Pretty, Chemical Hearts explores the aftermath of loss and the lasting impacts of grief, taking you through the emotional toll of healing. Both leads give memorable performances. You’ll want to keep your tissues handy while watching this one.
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4
‘Along For the Ride’ (2022)
Along for the Ride
- Release Date
-
May 6, 2022
- Runtime
-
106 minutes
- Director
-
Sofia Alvarez
- Writers
-
Sofia Alvarez
Auden West (Emma Pasarow) has always been a stellar student and responsible kid. Wanting to finally taste a carefree life, she decides to spend her last summer before college with her estranged father (Dermot Mulroney) and his new wife (Kate Bosworth) in the small beachside town of Colby. After meeting the mysterious Eli Stock (Belmont Cameli), a fellow insomniac, late one night, he helps her on her quest to have normal teenage experiences. Along the way, the two spark up a relationship, Auden develops friendships, and she discovers who she wants to be.
A Cozy Summer Romance
Along for the Ride is another YA adaptation, bringing to life Sarah Dessen’s hit novel of the same name. Similar to Belly, Auden experiences a lot of firsts over one magical summer, like riding a bike, house parties, and kissing. The dynamic between Auden and Eli is sweet and tender, mirroring Belly and Conrad. This story is sure to enchant fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty.
3
’20th Century Girl’ (2022)
20th Century Girl
- Release Date
-
October 21, 2022
- Runtime
-
119 Minutes
- Director
-
Bang Woo-ri
- Writers
-
Bang Woo-ri
20th Century Girl is a Korean coming-of-age drama that opens in the present, with an adult Na Bo-ra (Han Hyo-joo) preparing for a trip back home to Korea. Going back in time to 1999, where the story begins, 17-year-old Bo-ra (Kim Yoo-jung) bids her best friend Yeon-doo (Noh Yoon-seo) goodbye as she leaves for heart surgery in the US. Promising Yeon-doo to keep an eye on her crush, Hyun-jin (Park Jung-woo), Bo-ra finds herself swept up in an unexpected romance with his friend, Woon-ho (Byeon Woo-seok).
A Heartbreaking Tale of First Love
Brimming with emotion and humor, it’s absolutely easy to get lost in the spellbinding nostalgia of 20th Century Girl. Fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty will appreciate the same thrill and innocence of first love depicted in the movie. The first half of the film is lighthearted and charming, with the last half delving into more heart-wrenching territory.
1:57
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2
‘Crush’ (2022)
Crush
- Release Date
-
April 29, 2022
- Runtime
-
1h 33m
- Director
-
Sammi Cohen
- Writers
-
Kirsten King
- Producers
-
Andrew Miano, Danielle Renfrew Behrens, Maya Rudolph, Natasha Lyonne, Jeremy Garelick, Max A. Butler, Pete Shilaimon, Katie Newman, Michael Glassman, Dan Balgoyen, Ryan Bennett, Will Phelps, Mickey Lidell
Paige Evans (Rowan Blanchard) is a talented young artist who dreams of attending a prestigious art school after graduating from Miller High School. As she fills out her application, she’s stumped by a prompt asking her to describe her happiest moment. Unable to come up with one, she hopes it will be Gabby (Isabelle Ferreira), her longtime crush, who will give it to her. When a graffiti incident forces her to join the track team, she sees it as her opportunity to finally get close to Paige, but winds up developing feelings for another teammate, AJ (Auli’i Cravalho), Paige’s sister.
A Splendid Queer Story With Adorable Moments
Crush is an enchanting romantic comedy whose love triangle is somewhat reminiscent of Belly’s with the two Fisher brothers, except it swaps the typical hetero love triangle for a three-girl one. The story also has drama, small betrayals, and yearning. If you’re looking for something more breezy to watch, Crush is a good choice as playful and lighthearted as its title.
1
‘Through My Window’ (2022)
Through My Window
- Release Date
-
February 4, 2022
- Runtime
-
116 Minutes
- Director
-
Marçal Forés
- Writers
-
Ariana Godoy, Eduard Sola
For as long as Raquel Álvarez (Clara Galle) can remember, she has been helplessly pining for her handsome, mysterious neighbor, Ares Hidalgo (Julio Peña), the son of a business tycoon. She spends her free time secretly watching him through her window, daydreaming of him, and writing about him. One day, she figures out that he has hacked her Wi-Fi password and computer. After she confronts him, he reveals he knows about her crush, and a romantic game of cat-and-mouse ensues.
An Addictive Guilty Pleasure
This steamy coming-of-age romance from Spain is one of Netflix’s most guilty pleasures. It has all the trappings of a Wattpad story, having been based on the novel originally published on the platform by Ariana Godoy. If you love a brooding man like Conrad, you won’t be able to get enough of Ares. Fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty will also appreciate its will-they-won’t-they aspect. The movie is followed by two sequels, Across the Sea and Looking at You.
