‘Better Than the Movies’ Cast Is Officially Set: Everything About Netflix’s Next Big Teen Rom-Com

Every generation gets its "girl-falls-for-the-annoying-neighbor" story, and Netflix is betting big that this one lands. Better Than the Movies, Lynn Painter's bestselling YA rom-com novel, is officially becoming a film…

By Reetam Bodhak

September 4, 2026

3 min read

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Every generation gets its “girl-falls-for-the-annoying-neighbor” story, and Netflix is betting big that this one lands. Better Than the Movies, Lynn Painter’s bestselling YA rom-com novel, is officially becoming a film — and cameras are already rolling in Chicago.

Director Julia Hart, fresh off Netflix’s Don’t Say Good Luck, is at the helm for what’s now her third project with the streamer. With a fully confirmed 10-person cast and a plot that mixes classic prom-scheme chaos with slow-burn romance, this adaptation has the ingredients fans of the genre have been craving.

Better Than the Movies: What We Know

Detail	Information
Director	Julia Hart (Don’t Say Good Luck)
Based On	Lynn Painter’s bestselling YA novel of the same name
Screenwriters	Julia Hart, Jordan Horowitz (La La Land), Heather Flanders (iCarly)
Lead Cast	Beatrice Kitsos as Liz, David Iacono as Wes, Deacon Phillippe as Michael
Filming Location & Dates	Chicago, Illinois; September 3 – October 21, 2026
Expected Release	Summer or Fall 2027

What’s the Story?

The plot follows Liz Buxbaum, a hopeless romantic still hung up on her long-gone crush Michael — who’s suddenly back in town. To get his attention, she teams up with her infuriating next-door neighbor Wes Bennett, whose entire personality up to this point has involved pranks and general chaos. Naturally, scheming to win over one guy quickly turns into unexpected feelings for the wrong one — a setup rom-com fans will recognize instantly, but one that’s worked for a reason.

The rest of the cast rounds out with names like Judy Greer, Luke Kirby, and Claire Coffee, giving the film a solid mix of rising talent and recognizable faces.

Why This One’s Worth Watching For

Hart has quickly become one of Netflix’s go-to directors for coming-of-age stories, and pairing her sensibility with Painter’s beloved source material suggests the studio is treating this as more than just another algorithm-friendly rom-com. With filming wrapping in late October, fans shouldn’t have too long to wait for a trailer once post-production gets underway.

For more casting news and upcoming Netflix film updates, check out TechnoSports to stay on top of what’s heading to your watchlist next.

Quick FAQs

Q1: When does Better Than the Movies release on Netflix? With filming wrapping in October 2026, the film is expected to release sometime in Summer or Fall 2027.

Q2: Who stars in Better Than the Movies? Beatrice Kitsos and David Iacono lead the cast as Liz and Wes, alongside Deacon Phillippe, Judy Greer, and Luke Kirby.