Production for the movie adaptation of 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' has reportedly commenced in Wilmington, North Carolina, but the shoot has remained notably discreet. The film, which continues the hit Prime Video series, is anticipated to be one of the largest projects for the city's film industry in 2026. However, local records show no filming permits filed under the title in Wilmington, New Hanover County, or Southport. Several individuals connected to the local film business have declined to comment on the project's current status.
Production Details and Reports
According to multiple published reports, including Production Weekly and Deadline.com, the movie was expected to begin production in Wilmington on April 27. The project follows the Prime Video series, which filmed all three seasons in the Wilmington area and became a major hit for the streamer. Despite these reports, there has been little public indication of the movie shoot in the city. No permits have been filed under the show's title in Wilmington, New Hanover County, or Southport. CineSpace Studios and other local film industry figures have not commented on whether production has begun. Publicists for Amazon Prime Video did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Other Active Productions
At present, the largest active film production in the Wilmington area appears to be 'The Exactuals'. This project has filed several permits for April and May in Wilmington and Southport. The permits list high-profile locations, including Greenfield Lake and the Brooklyn Arts Center. Some filings also mention dozens of extras and crew members, with certain scenes calling for 100 or more people. Production contacts listed for 'The Exactuals' have not responded to repeated inquiries.
Background of the Series
'The Summer I Turned Pretty' filmed its three seasons across various Wilmington-area locations, including Casa Blanca coffee shop, The Beer Barrio restaurant, and Kilwin's Ice Cream. Its third season was shot in 2024 and aired in summer 2025. The series starred Lola Tung as Belly, Christopher Briney as Conrad, and Gavin Casalegno as Jeremiah. The love triangle drew a large online following and led to debates over Team Conrad and Team Jeremiah. The third season ranked as 2025's most-watched TV show among women ages 18 to 34. The show is based on Jenny Han's bestselling book trilogy. Han wrote and directed episodes of the series and served as showrunner and executive producer. According to IMDb, she is set to write and direct the movie.
