When you read Emily Henry’s Funny Story, you’re laughing one moment and tearing up the next—a hallmark of her effortless blend of heart and humor. The book was released last year and is one of the author’s most beloved books.
If you adored the fake-dating charm, the emotionally layered characters, and the quiet magic of second chances, you’ll be thrilled to hear Funny Story is now officially headed for the big screen. It’s set to become Emily Henry’s next celebrated romance novel brought to life.
Emily Henry has become a powerhouse in the modern romance genre. She’s a bestselling author, credited with redefining romance with bestselling titles such as Beach Read, People We Meet on Vacation, Happy Place, Funny Story, and, most recently, Great Big Beautiful Life. Her journey from writing award-winning young adult novels to penning breakout adult romances underlines her versatility and emotional precision.
Emily Henry’s romance novels feel like classic rom-coms, with characters you root for, settings that feel lived-in, and conflicts that resonate emotionally rather than melodramatically.
Released in April 2024, Funny Story has already cemented its place as a bestseller, debuting at #1 on the New York Times and USA Today lists and selling over 800,000 copies in North America by summer. Its popularity led to the announcement of a film adaptation in July 2024, just a few months after its publication.
It’s one of the many Emily Henry books being adapted for the screen, with the People We Meet on Vacation movie releasing next year and Happy Place becoming a TV series.
What is the Plot of the Funny Story Movie?
‘Funny Story’ centers on Daphne Vincent, a warm-hearted children’s librarian whose life is upended when her fiancé dumps her to return to his childhood friend, Petra.
Now living with Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak, Daphne finds herself reluctantly entering a fake-dating agreement when both are invited to the exes’ wedding. Thrown together, Daphne and Miles bond through weekly escapades across Michigan.
Amid library fundraisers and awkward reunions, their façades blur, and what began as a lie slowly transforms into something genuine!
If you haven’t read the book yet, then you should do so right now, because it’s that good. Check out the book’s official synopsis below to know what to expect when you read it, and when the movie is officially out!
Daphne always loved the way her fiancé, Peter, told their story. How they met (on a blustery day), fell in love (over an errant hat), and moved back to his lakeside hometown to begin their life together. He was really good at telling it right up until the moment he realized he was actually in love with his childhood best friend, Petra.
Which is how Daphne begins her new story: stranded in beautiful Waning Bay, Michigan, without friends or family but with a dream job as a children’s librarian (that barely pays the bills), and proposing to be roommates with the only person who could possibly understand her predicament: Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak.
Scruffy and chaotic—with a penchant for taking solace in the sounds of heartbreak love ballads—Miles is exactly the opposite of practical, buttoned-up Daphne, whose coworkers know so little about her they have a running bet that she’s either FBI or in witness protection. The roommates mainly avoid one another until one day, while drowning their sorrows, they form a tenuous friendship and a plan. If said plan also involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their summer adventures together, well, who could blame them?
But it’s all just for show, of course, because there’s no way Daphne would actually start her new chapter by falling in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex, right?
Casting & Production Updates:
Only months after the novel’s release, it was announced that Funny Story was being developed into a feature film by Lyrical Media and Ryder Picture Company, with Emily Henry herself penning the screenplay, making the project her first foray into screenwriting.
As of August 2025, Henry remains deeply involved, serving as both scriptwriter and executive producer. No director or cast has been officially confirmed yet, but fan speculation is already buzzing across social media.
Funny Story Movie Release Date:
The adaptation is currently in early stages of development, and no official release date has been announced.
Given Emily Henry’s active involvement and the title’s popularity, production could move swiftly. However, for now, fans should stay tuned for updates through official production channels and Henry’s upcoming tours.
I personally think that we will hear positive news about the adaptation once the movie adaptation of ‘People We Love on Vacation‘ is released in January next year. Based on its performance, the rest of the author’s adaptations could be fast-tracked.
Should You Read The Book Instead?
Yes, you should absolutely read the book. In fact, you should read every book Emily Henry has written and make a point of reading all the books she will write in the future.
Funny Story is heartfelt, warmly humorous, and brimming with internal character nuances that a film might condense. Reading first allows you to savor Daphne’s emotional arc, the sweet awkwardness with Miles, and the story’s quiet, underlying sweetness.
Once the Funny Story movie is released, being familiar with the novel will enable you to catch its subtle emotional beats and compare how Henry’s original voice translates to film. It’s also the best way to judge how the book’s charm, humor, and friendship-to-love dynamics are preserved or reinterpreted on screen.
Upcoming Book Adaptations: