Netflix’s ‘Better Than the Movies’ Adaptation Casts Liz and Wes as Fans Celebrate
Lynn Painter’s romantic comedy novels have garnered a devoted following in the young adult book community, largely thanks to BookTok’s enthusiasm for her unique mix of witty banter, beloved tropes, and captivating chemistry. Her standout novel ‘Better Than the Movies’ has been a fan favorite since its release in 2021, and speculation about a potential film adaptation has been swirling for years as its popularity soared. Earlier this year, that speculation became a reality, and the project has now made significant progress.
In May, Netflix announced it would proceed with a feature film adaptation of ‘Better Than the Movies,’ with Julia Hart set to direct. The story follows high school senior Liz Buxbaum, a lifelong fan of classic romantic comedies, who devises a plan to win over her crush Michael with unexpected assistance from her charming yet frustrating next-door neighbor, Wes Bennett.
The project has now reached a pivotal casting milestone. Netflix confirmed that Beatrice Kitsos will portray Liz Buxbaum, with David Iacono cast as Wes Bennett, officially bringing Painter’s beloved characters to life on screen. Kitsos is recognized for her role as Alison Simms in Disney Plus’s ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians,’ while Iacono has appeared in ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ and ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty.’
The casting announcement followed what was reportedly an intense fan campaign, with Kitsos herself having previously expressed her desire to audition for the role of Liz on Instagram. This grassroots enthusiasm reflects the book’s own rise to fame, driven largely by social media buzz long after its initial release rather than through traditional marketing.
Painter, who is also a producer on the film, expressed her excitement directly to fans when the adaptation was first announced. Reflecting on the timing of the announcement, which came five years after the book’s original release, Painter shared her joy about seeing her characters in capable hands for their big screen debut, as reported by Newsweek.
Hart is directing the film and co-writing the screenplay with her husband and creative partner Jordan Horowitz, alongside Heather Flanders. Horowitz is producing through Original Headquarters, joined by producers Shauna Phelan and Melanie Krauss. This film marks the second project from Original Headquarters at Netflix, following the previously announced YA movie ‘Don’t Say Good Luck,’ featuring Sunny Sandler.
‘Better Than the Movies’ has enjoyed a remarkable run on bestseller lists since its debut, appearing on the New York Times monthly YA paperback list for 41 months and its weekly YA hardcover list for 12 weeks. This impressive longevity positions it as one of Netflix’s promising projects in the competitive YA adaptation landscape, which already features works from authors like Emily Henry and other popular BookTok favorites.
Currently, no release date has been announced for ‘Better Than the Movies,’ and the project is still in the early stages of development following this casting news. However, given the swift transition from announcement to casting, fans eager to see Liz and Wes’s story unfold on screen may not have to wait long for further updates.