Courtesy of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” Instagram

Actors Christopher Briney and Lola Tong pose in front of the movie announcement sign.

The highly anticipated finale of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” TV series came out on Sept. 17 and quickly rose to No. 1 on Prime Video. Fans were ecstatic over the emotional ending that finally brought Isabel “Belly” Conklin and Conrad Fisher together.

Later that day, Prime Video surprised fans by announcing an upcoming “The Summer I Turned Pretty” movie on Instagram. 

As a huge Bonrad (Belly and Conrad) fan, though, I have to admit that I don’t think a movie is really necessary. The show ended perfectly, with a cute and wholesome conclusion that gave everyone a heartfelt conclusion.

What often happens with successful franchises, however, is that studios try to milk their popularity for everything they’re worth by extending the story into movies. A prime example is “Downton Abbey,” which spawned films that, while nostalgic, didn’t add much creatively to the franchise. Similarly, ”The Summer I Turned Pretty” reenvisioned as a movie feels more like a business decision than an artistic one — an attempt to capitalize on the show’s success rather than continue its story in a meaningful way.

Fans immediately began speculating about when the movie might come out, with many assuming a 2026 release. However, in a recent  interview, author Jenny Han confirmed that it will likely be sometime in 2027 and that filming is still in progress. Some fans hoped the story would take place during the holidays, since the finale featured Christmas photos of Belly and Conrad, but that rumor was quickly debunked.

If the movie does come out in 2027, the hype might fade. By then, the show could feel dated, and the emotional energy surrounding the characters may have worn off. The main storyline already feels complete — Belly and Conrad are together, and the love triangle that carried the series is resolved. There isn’t much left to explore, so the movie risks feeling redundant, even if released sooner.

Instead of extending the main story, it might be more interesting to see a spin-off movie, maybe exploring Susannah and Laurel’s friendship, or following Steven, Taylor, Jeremiah, and Denise’s lives in San Francisco. Revisiting Cousins Beach would be nostalgic, but narratively, everything important has already been said.

Fans, of course, will always be loyal, and many will still show up for the movie no matter what. But as much as I adore Belly and Conrad, I can’t help but feel that this movie isn’t necessary. It seems more about keeping a profitable franchise alive than telling a story that truly needs to be told.