Everything To Know About Lynn Painter’s ‘Better Than The Movies’ Adaptation
Uncover the storytelling brilliance of 'Better Than The Movies' Film as it brings teenage romance to life with charm.
Lifestyle8 September 2026 Words Amalina Anuar
A fake dating trope? Enemies to lovers? We want it all.
Are you ready to dive into Lynn Painter’s world? Her book ‘Better Than The Movies’ is set to be a film, and we have buzz surrounding the announcement. The enchanting YA novel takes you on the magic of young love with cinematic charm. If you’re one of those who yearns to read the satisfying push and pull of a romantic comedy, then this book is right up your alley.
Filled with warmth, witty banter, relatable characters and moments that tug at your heartstrings, the author captures the essence of teenage romance and the thrill of discovering what life is worth living for. Purely dedicated to those who have experienced the rollercoaster of teenage emotions, this book weaves in themes of self-discovery and the importance of genuine connections.
Sometimes the best love stories happen when you least expect them. In fact, your soulmate may be right under your nose. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to Lynn Painter’s world, these details regarding the movie adaptation will make you want to do a re-read or binge-read the series in a heartbeat.
Here’s what you need to know about the ‘Better Than The Movies’ Adaptation:
What is it about?
The novel follows the rollercoaster journey of a high school “head-in-the-clouds” senior, Liz Buxbaum, who believes life should be as perfect as her collection of romcom classics. Think When Harry Met Sally, 10 Things I Hate About You, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Notting Hill and more. When her childhood crush, AKA Mr Perfect, Michael, moves back to town, Liz makes it her goal to go to prom with him. Except, she has no clue how to win his attention. To make him notice her, she teams up with her annoying next-door neighbour, Wes Bennett, and proposes a scheme that will change the course of their friendship.
Who is cast in the upcoming movie?
Beatrice Kitsos (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) will take the lead as Liz Buxbaum, starring alongside David Iacono (The Summer I Turned Pretty and Jurassic World Rebirth) as the one and only Wes Bennett.
Just in: Deacon Phillippe will play Michael Young, Nicole Bruner as Jocelyn, Luke Kirby as Brian Buxbaum, Judy Greer as Helena, Claire Coffee as Martha Buxbaum, Ora Duplass as Laney Morgan, Veronica Garrubbo as Alex and Kynlee Heiman, who will portray young Liz.
Who’s directing the Better Than The Movies adaptation?
Directed and co-written by Julia Hart (I’m Your Woman), the film will also be co-written by Jordan Horowitz and Heather Flanders. The producers are Horowitz for Original Headquarters, along with Shauna Phelan and Melanie Krauss.
Have the cast appeared in any interviews lately?
Yes, David and Beatrice recently made their first appearance since the announcement at the Netflix End of Summer Bash, and here’s a sneak peek into their first chemistry read.
What themes are discussed in this book?
The protagonist, Liz, takes on a journey of self-discovery and the complexities of teenage life. Through her fascination with romantic comedies, she blurs the line between what movies present and the reality of real-life relationships. Her character development is rich yet so profound that you’ll fall in love with her anyway. She’s surrounded by endearing characters, each portraying their own struggles. As Liz faces the realities of her own experiences, she begins to grasp the value of being true to herself and accepting those closest to her for who they are.
When will the Better Than The Movies film come out?
As of now, there isn’t a release date for the film yet.
Is there a sequel to the book?
Yes, you can read ‘Not Like the Movies’ to dive into the next chapter of Wes and Liz’s universe.
Does Lynn Painter have other books that I can fall in love with?
Of course, you can read her best-selling books like ‘The Do-Over’, ‘Betting On You’ and ‘Fake Skating’. In fact, Sony Pictures and Olive Bridge Entertainment are adapting the hockey romance novel Fake Skating into a film that’s slated for release on 16 July 2027.
Stay tuned for more updates.
