The romantic film People We Meet on Vacation has soared to the number one spot on Netflix's movie charts, but its success is accompanied by a chorus of viewer criticism regarding its format.
Viewers Demand a Different Format
Adapted from Emily Henry's bestselling 2021 novel, the film stars Emily Bader and Tom Blyth as Poppy and Alex, two friends whose complex relationship unfolds over a series of yearly holidays. Despite its chart-topping position, a significant number of viewers have taken to social media to argue that the story was ill-served by a feature film runtime. Many are convinced it should have been developed as a limited series, similar to Netflix's acclaimed 2024 adaptation of One Day.
One viewer stated emphatically on X, formerly Twitter, "This should’ve been a miniseries like one day (2024) and i will die on this hill." Another fan of Henry's work expressed disappointment, writing, "I’m sorry but People We Meet On Vacation was sooo boring... maybe it would’ve worked better as a miniseries." The sentiment was widely echoed, with others suggesting the cinematic version felt "disjointed and fell flat emotionally," potentially due to adaptation or editing choices that omitted too much from the source material.
Chart Success Amidst Criticism
Interestingly, even some viewers who enjoyed the film agreed with the format critique. One social media user noted, "People We Meet on Vacation was everything I wanted it to be. Even though I still maintain it was more fitting to have be a TV miniseries." This highlights a divide between appreciation for the core story and its execution.
Nevertheless, the film's popularity is undeniable. As of Saturday 10 January 2026, it holds the top position on Netflix, outperforming other titles like The Life of Chuck and the enduring hit KPop Demon Hunters. The latter animated film has remained a fixture in the charts for over half a year since its release and even made history by overtaking Squid Game to become Netflix's most-watched series ever.
The Future of Romance Adaptations
The debate surrounding People We Meet on Vacation taps into a broader conversation about how beloved novels are translated to screen. The success of serialised romances like One Day has set a precedent that audiences now compare new adaptations against. The viewer feedback suggests a growing appetite for longer-form storytelling in the romance genre, allowing for deeper character development and a more faithful rendition of the original narrative arcs.
While the film continues to draw viewers to Netflix, the resounding online discourse serves as a clear signal to studios and streamers: for certain dense, character-driven stories, a miniseries might be the more satisfying route to fans' hearts.
