Emily Henry’s ‘Funny Story’ Movie Arrives on Netflix, While She Plans a Film Adaptation of ‘Happy Place’
On the eve of Netflix’s adaptation of Emily Henry’s bestselling novel People We Meet on Vacation, the streaming service has added another of her works, Funny Story, to its development slate. This adaptation is scheduled for release in April 2024.
Happy Place, one of the key narratives within Funny Story, follows Harriet, a medical student, and Wyn, a couple facing their own challenges. Unlike the protagonists in People We Meet on Vacation, Alex and Poppy, who broke up prior to a long-standing annual trip to a Maine cottage, Harriet and Wyn’s relationship dynamics differ significantly. Despite their breakup, they maintain a façade of normalcy among their friends, who have been gathering at the cottage for a decade.
In another story arc, Funny Story revolves around two characters, Miles and Daphne; the latter is a child librarian. After Daphne’s fiancé Peter realizes he has feelings for his childhood best friend, Petra—who happens to be Miles’ ex-girlfriend—Daphne and Miles find themselves stranded in their shared hometown. They form a pact to win back their respective exes, leading to unexpected adventures.
In addition to these adaptations, two of Henry’s earlier novels, Beach Read and Book Lovers, are also being transformed into films. The adaptation of Beach Read will be directed by Yulin Kuang, who co-wrote the adaptation for People We Meet on Vacation. Meanwhile, Book Lovers will see adaptation efforts led by Sarah Heyward, known for her work on Girls.
Henry’s most recent novel, Great Big Beautiful Life, was released in 2025 and was featured as a Reese’s Book Club pick last April. The narrative follows two competitive writers, Alice Scott and Hayden Anderson, who are vying to author the biography of Margaret Ives, a reclusive former celebrity heiress.
This news was first reported by Variety.
