To All the Boys (franchise)

Last updated
To All the Boys
To All the Boys I've Loved Before - film series logo.png
Official franchise logo
Created by Jenny Han
Original work To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
Owner Netflix
Years2018-present

To All the Boys is a franchise consisting of American teenage romance installments, including three feature films and a spin-off television series, based on the titular trilogy of novels written by Jenny Han. Starring Lana Condor and Noah Centineo in the central roles, the plot centers around Lara Jean Song-Covey (Condor), a shy teenager who writes five letters—ones she never planned to send—to boys that she has had crushes on.

Contents

The films show her experiences after the letters are received by the young men.

The series is produced by Netflix and released exclusively through its streaming services. The first film, released in 2018 was critically acclaimed, and became one of the company's most-viewed original films. [1] Following its success, Netflix quickly began developing the two sequels, released in 2020 and 2021 respectively, both of which received positive reviews from critics. [2]

The franchise is continuing with a spin-off TV series, centered around Kitty Song-Covey, which was released in 2023. [3]

Origin

The book To All the Boys I've Loved Before was published in April 2014, and spent 40 weeks as a New York Times Best Selling young adult romance novel. [4] By June 2014, the novel's film adaptation rights were purchased by Overbrook Entertainment, the production company owned by Will Smith and James Lassiter. [5]

The second installment, P.S. I Still Love You , was released in May 2015, and five weeks on The New York Times Best Seller list, peaking sales at #2 in the Young Adult fiction section. [6] The third installment, Always and Forever, Lara Jean , was released in May 2017.

Films

FilmU.S. release dateDirectorScreenwriter(s)Producer(s)
To All the Boys I've Loved Before August 17, 2018 Susan Johnson Sofia AlvarezDougie Cash, Jordan Levin & Matthew Kaplan
To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You February 12, 2020 Michael Fimognari Sofia Alvarez & J. Mills Goodloe Matthew Kaplan
To All the Boys: Always and Forever February 12, 2021Katie Lovejoy

To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018)

Film rights were attained in June 2014, with Susan Johnson serving as director from a screenplay by Sofia Alvarez. Lana Condor was cast to star as Lara Jean Song-Covey. [7] Noah Centineo was cast to co-star, with the rest of the film's roles the following month. [8] Production took place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and Portland, Oregon, USA. [9] [10] Photography took place from July 5, 2017, to August 4, 2017. [11]

To All the Boys I've Loved Before was released exclusively on Netflix on August 17, 2018. [12]

To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You (2020)

Following the success of the first film, Netflix, Paramount Pictures and Awesomeness Films began to discuss a sequel. [13] The film was greenlit by December 2018, with Condor and Centineo signed to reprise their roles. [14] By March 2019, Michael Fimognari, cinematographer on the first film, was hired to make his directorial debut. Director of the first film, Susan Johnson, will serve as executive producer. [15] Jordan Fisher was cast as John Ambrose McClaren, a past love of Lara Jean's who joins the project, and complicates the two main characters' relationship. [16]

Filming took place once more in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and lasted from March 27, 2019, to May 10, 2019. [17] [18] To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You, was released exclusively on Netflix on February 12, 2020. [19]

To All the Boys: Always and Forever (2021)

In August 2019, a third film was announced to be in development with confirmation that it was already into production. The feature adapts the author's third novel, with Fimognari once again serving as director, with a script by Katie Lovejoy. [20] [21]

Production was announced to have officially begun on July 15, 2019, two months after production on the second film wrapped. To All the Boys: Always and Forever was released exclusively on Netflix on February 12, 2021. The film was retitled from its tentative title, synonymous with the name of the novel. [22]

Television

SeriesSeasonEpisodesOriginally releasedShowrunnerWritersExecutive producers
First releasedLast releasedNetwork
XO, Kitty110May 18, 2023 (2023-05-18) Netflix Jenny Han Jenny Han, Siobhan Vivian, Alanna Bennett, Emily Kim, Sarah Choi, Hanna Stanbridge, Chris Martin, Jessica O'Toole, Sascha Rothchild Matthew Kaplan, Jenny Han, Sascha Rothchild

In April 2021, a spin-off series featuring the character Kitty Song-Covey, was announced to be in development as a Netflix exclusive. Anna Cathcart reprises her role in the series, with a story centered around her search for love. Jenny Han serves as creator, writer, showrunner, and executive producer. The pilot episode will be co-written by Han and Siobhan Vivian. The series is intended to include 30-minute romantic comedy episodes. The project will be a joint-venture production between Awesomeness TV, ACE Entertainment, and Netflix Original Series. [23]

In October 2021, the series entered production and was officially ordered by Netflix with the title XO, Kitty . The plot will center around Kitty Song-Covey, who sees herself as an expert matchmaker, and thinks she has love figured out. Once she moves around the world to reunite with her long-distance boyfriend, she discovers she has a lot to learn about romance. Han and Sascha Rothchild will serve as co-showrunners, in addition to serving as an executive producers with Matt Kaplan. [24]

Main cast and characters

List indicator(s)

This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in more than two films in the series.

CharacterFilmsTelevision
To All the Boys
I've Loved Before
To All the Boys:
P.S. I Still Love You
To All the Boys:
Always and Forever
XO, Kitty
2018202020212023
Lara Jean Song-Covey Lana Condor
Isabelle Beech Y
Lana Condor
Momona Tamada Y
Lana CondorLana Condor A
Peter Kavinsky Noah Centineo
Hunter Dillon Y
Noah CentineoNoah Centineo A
Katherine "Kitty" Song-Covey Anna Cathcart
Margot Song-Covey Janel Parrish  
Dr. Daniel "Dan" Covey John Corbett
Genevieve "Gen" Emilija Baranac
Rhys Fleming Y
Emilija Baranac 
Lucas JamesTrezzo Mahoro 
Christine "Chris" Madeleine Arthur  
Josh Sanderson Israel Broussard
Christian Michael Cooper Y
 
EmilyKelcey Mawema 
OwenJoey Pacheco 
KennyEdward Kewin 
Ms. Kavinsky Julia Benson  
John Ambrose-McClarenPavel Piddocke Y
Jordan Burtchett C
Jordan Fisher
Christian Scott Y
 
Edith "Stormy" McClaren-Sheehan  Holland Taylor  
Lucas Trezzo Mahoro 
Trevor Pike  Ross Butler  
Trina Rothschild  Sarayu Blue
Heather  Sofia Black-D'Elia  
Mr. Kavinsky  Henry Thomas  
Dae-heon Kim Jeon Ho-young Choi Min-young
Quincy "Q" Shabazian Anthony Keyvan
Yuri Han Gia Kim
Min Ho  Sang Heon Lee
Professor Alex Finnerty Peter Thurnwald
Juliana Regan Aliya
Florian Théo Augier Bonaventure
Director Jina Lim  Yunjin Kim
Professor Lee  Michael K. Lee
Madison Miller Jocelyn Shelfo
Mr. Kim  Lee Sung-wook
Mr. Han  Lee Hyung-chul

Additional production and crew details

TitleCrew/Detail
Composer(s)Cinematographer(s)Editor(s)Production companiesDistributing companyRunning time
To All the Boys I've Loved Before Joe Wong Michael Fimognari Joe Klotz & Phillip J. Bartell Awesomeness Films,
Netflix Original Films,
Overbrook Entertainment,
All The Boys Productions
Netflix 1 hr 39 mins
To All the Boys:
P.S. I Still Love You
Joe KlotzACE Entertainment,
Awesomeness Films,
Netflix Original Films,
Overbrook Entertainment,
All The Boys Productions
1 hr 41 mins
To All The Boys:
Always and Forever
Joe Klotz, Tamara Meem & Michelle HarrisonACE Entertainment,
Awesomeness Films,
Netflix Original Films,
Overbrook Entertainment,
All The Boys Productions
1 hr 49 mins
XO, Kitty Jina Hyojin An & Shirley SongLindsay George
and Sandra Valde-Hansen
Anthony Rosc, Katie Abel, Lindsay Armstrong, Nicole Artzer, Michelle Harrison, and Colin Johnson Awesomeness TV,
ACE Entertainment,
Netflix Original Series
6 hrs 3 mins
(30 mins/episode)

Critical reception

Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic
To All the Boys I've Loved Before 96% (68 reviews) [25] 64/100 (12 reviews) [26]
To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You 75% (71 reviews) [27] 54/100 (16 reviews) [28]
To All the Boys: Always and Forever 78% (68 reviews) [29] 65/100 (18 reviews) [30]
XO, Kitty 81% (26 reviews) [31] 68/100 (8 reviews) [32]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Corbett</span> American actor and country music singer (born 1961)

John Joseph Corbett Jr. is an American actor and country music singer. On television, he is best known for his roles as Chris Stevens on Northern Exposure (1990–1995), Aidan Shaw on Sex and the City (2000–2003), Max Gregson on United States of Tara (2009–2011), and Seth Holt on Parenthood (2011–2015). In film, he is known for roles in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise, Raising Helen (2004), The Messengers (2007), Sex and the City 2 (2010), Ramona & Beezus (2010), and the To All the Boys film trilogy (2018–2021).

<i>To All the Boys Ive Loved Before</i> 2014 young adult romance novel by Jenny Han

To All the Boys I've Loved Before is a 2014 young adult romance novel by American author Jenny Han, first published by Simon & Schuster and released on April 15, 2014. Han was inspired to write the book based on her own habit of writing love letters to boys she had crushes on as a teenager. The novel was followed by two sequels, P.S. I Still Love You, released on May 26, 2015, and Always and Forever, Lara Jean, released on May 2, 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Susan Johnson (filmmaker)</span> American film producer and director

Susan Johnson is an American film producer and director, known for directing the 2016 comedy film Carrie Pilby and the 2018 feature To All the Boys I've Loved Before.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noah Centineo</span> American actor (born 1996)

Noah Gregory Centineo is an American actor. He began his career performing on television and had a main role in the television series The Fosters from 2015 to 2018. He achieved wider recognition by starring in the Netflix romantic comedy films To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018), Sierra Burgess Is a Loser (2018), and The Perfect Date (2019). In 2022, Centineo played Atom Smasher in the superhero film Black Adam and starred in the Netflix spy-adventure series The Recruit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Israel Broussard</span> American actor

Isaiah Israel Broussard is an American actor. He made his film debut in the comedy-drama Flipped, and is known for his roles in the crime film The Bling Ring (2013), the drama Perfect High (2015), the thriller H8RZ (2015), the comedy Good Kids (2016), the slasher film Happy Death Day (2017) as well as its 2019 sequel Happy Death Day 2U, and the teen romance film To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jenny Han</span> American writer (born 1980)

Jenny Han is an American author, screenwriter, executive producer, and showrunner. She is best known for writing the The Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy, which she adapted into a TV series for Prime Video. She also wrote the To All the Boys trilogy which was adapted into a Netflix film series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lana Condor</span> American actress

Lana Therese Condor is an American actress and YouTuber. She made her acting debut starring as Jubilee in the superhero film X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), and gained international recognition for portraying Lara Jean Covey in the romantic comedy To All the Boys film series (2018–2021). She has also portrayed Saya Kuroki in the television series Deadly Class (2019) and Koyomi in the film Alita: Battle Angel (2019). More recently, Condor voiced the titular character in the animated teen comedy film Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (2023).

Ross Fleming Butler is a Singaporean-born American actor. He is best known for his role as Zach Dempsey in the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why and as Brett Willis on K.C. Undercover. He was also cast as Reggie Mantle in the Netflix/The CW show Riverdale, but left the role after one season due to filming commitments to 13 Reasons Why. In 2019, he joined the DC Extended Universe as Superhero Eugene Choi in the film Shazam!, and reprised the role in Shazam! Fury of the Gods in 2023.

<i>P.S. I Still Love You</i> Book by Jenny Han

P.S. I Still Love You is a 2015 young adult romance novel by American author Jenny Han, first published by Simon & Schuster and released on May 26, 2015. It is the sequel to the novel To All the Boys I've Loved Before, released on April 15, 2014, and was followed by a third installment, Always and Forever, Lara Jean, released on May 2, 2017.

Anna Cathcart is a Canadian actress. She began her career starring as Olympia in the PBS Kids/TVOKids series Odd Squad (2016–2019), for which she won a Canadian Screen Award. She then played Dizzy Tremaine in the Disney Channel films Descendants 2 (2017) and 3 (2019), Kitty Song-Covey in Netflix's To All the Boys I've Loved Before films (2018–2021), and Zoe Valentine in the Brat web series of the same name (2019).

<i>To All the Boys Ive Loved Before</i> (film) 2018 film directed by Susan Johnson

To All the Boys I've Loved Before is a 2018 American teen romantic comedy film directed by Susan Johnson and written by Sofia Alvarez. The film stars Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Janel Parrish, Anna Cathcart, Madeleine Arthur, Emilija Baranac, Israel Broussard and John Corbett. The movie is based on Jenny Han's 2014 novel of the same name, and was released by Netflix on August 17, 2018. It received generally favorable reviews from critics, who praised the cast.

<i>Always and Forever, Lara Jean</i> 2017 novel by Jenny Han

Always and Forever, Lara Jean is a 2017 novel by American author Jenny Han, first published by Simon & Schuster and released on May 2, 2017. It is the third and final installment of the To All the Boys I've Loved Before trilogy, following To All the Boys I've Loved Before, released on April 15, 2014, and P.S. I Still Love You, released on May 26, 2015.

<i>The Kissing Booth</i> 2018 American teen romantic comedy film

The Kissing Booth is a 2018 American teen romantic comedy film written and directed by Vince Marcello, based on the 2012 novel of the same name by Beth Reekles. It stars Joey King, Jacob Elordi, and Joel Courtney. The film follows Elle (King), a quirky, late blooming teenager whose budding romance with high school senior and bad boy Noah (Elordi) puts her lifelong friendship with Noah's younger brother Lee (Courtney) in jeopardy.

<i>To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You</i> 2020 film directed by Michael Fimognari

To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You is a 2020 American teen romantic comedy film directed by Michael Fimognari and written by Sofia Alvarez and J. Mills Goodloe. The film stars Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Janel Parrish, Anna Cathcart, Trezzo Mahoro, Madeleine Arthur, Emilija Baranac, Kelcey Mawema, Jordan Fisher, Ross Butler, Julie Tao, Sarayu Blue, John Corbett, and Holland Taylor. The film is based on Jenny Han's 2015 novel P.S. I Still Love You.

<i>To All the Boys: Always and Forever</i> 2021 film directed by Michael Fimognari

To All the Boys: Always and Forever is a 2021 American teen romantic comedy film directed by Michael Fimognari and starring Lana Condor and Noah Centineo. The film is based on Jenny Han's 2017 novel Always and Forever, Lara Jean and is a sequel to To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You (2020), and the third and final installment in the To All the Boys film series. A spin-off series titled XO, Kitty was released on May 18, 2023.

Favored Nations is a 501(c)(3) charity that functions as a mediator between donors and other nonprofits. The organization is built on a network of individuals who donate monetarily or volunteer in the organization's charity campaigns and operations. The charity was established in 2019 by Josh Heller and Noah Centineo, and is based out of Los Angeles, California. The organization is mostly active in the United States. In the recent years, Favored Nations has taken part in a number of notable campaigns related to human rights movement, voting and COVID-19 pandemic.

<i>XO, Kitty</i> Romantic comedy-drama television series

XO, Kitty is an American romantic comedy drama television series created by Jenny Han for Netflix that premiered on May 18, 2023. It is a spin-off of the To All the Boys film series, and marks the first Netflix television series to be spun-off from a Netflix original film. Han serves as writer and executive producer in addition to being a showrunner. Anna Cathcart reprises the title role as Kitty Song Covey, a high school student who goes on her own journey to find true love. The show has received positive reviews from critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Kaplan</span> American film producer

Matthew Kaplan is an American film producer. He is known for producing young adult films, including To All the Boys film series. He is the founder and CEO of Ace Entertainment and former president of Awesomeness Films.

<i>The Recruit</i> (American TV series) American spy-adventure TV series

The Recruit is an American spy-adventure television series created by Alexi Hawley for Netflix. The show follows Owen Hendricks, a CIA lawyer who becomes involved in massive international conflicts with dangerous parties after an asset tries to expose her relationship to the agency. The series was released on Netflix on December 16, 2022. In January 2023, the series was renewed for a second season.

Sang Heon Lee is a South Korean actor with a multicultural background.

References

  1. "Netflix reveals rare viewing numbers, crowns to All the Boys I've Loved Before the king". 17 October 2018.
  2. "'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' Sequel Gets Netflix Release Date, with Third Movie Confirmed". 15 August 2019.
  3. Wang, Lydia (April 5, 2022). "'XO, Kitty' Writes Love Letters to 9 New Cast Members". Netflix. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
  4. "THIS WEEK YOUNG ADULT". The New York Times . Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  5. Yamato, Jen (June 26, 2014). "Overbrook Sets Annie Neal To Pen YA Adaptation 'To All The Boys I've Loved Before'". Deadline Hollywood . Penske Business Media . Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  6. "Best Sellers – The New York Times". The New York Times . Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  7. Spangler, Todd (July 21, 2017). "Lana Condor to Star in 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' Movie Based on Jenny Han Novel". Variety . Penske Business Media . Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  8. Jarvey, Natalie (July 21, 2017). "John Corbett, Lana Condor Join 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' Film (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter . Prometheus Global Media . Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  9. "To All The Boys I've Loved Before Movie Adaptation Starts Filming in Vancouver". What's Filming. July 5, 2017. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  10. Debruge, Peter (16 August 2018). "Film Review: Netflix's 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before'". Variety. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  11. "Film and TV Production List" (PDF). Union of BC Performers. July 19, 2017. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
  12. Kroll, Justin (March 21, 2018). "Netflix Acquires Rights to Adaptation of YA Novel 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Penske Business Media . Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  13. McNary, Dave (November 27, 2018). "'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' Sequel in the Works". Variety. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  14. Hipes, Patrick (December 19, 2018). "'To All The Boys I've Loved Before 2': Lana Condor & Noah Centineo Are Returning, Netflix Says". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  15. Galuppo, Mia (March 22, 2019). "'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' Sequel Taps New Director as Supporting Cast Returns (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  16. McHenry, Jackson (March 28, 2019). "Jordan Fisher Is the John Ambrose You Haven't Met in To All the Boys I've Loved Before Sequel". Vulture.com . Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  17. Schremph, Kelly (March 27, 2019). "Noah Centineo & Lana Condor Officially Started Filming The 'To All The Boys I've Loved Before' Sequel". Bustle . Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  18. "DGC BC Production List" (PDF). Directors Guild of Canada . May 24, 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2019. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
  19. Hipes, Patrick; N'Duka, Amanda (August 15, 2019). "'To All The Boys I've Loved Before' Sequel Gets Netflix Release Date, With Third Movie Confirmed". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  20. "To All the Boys 3 confirmed as second movie sets release date". 15 August 2019.
  21. "To All the Boys: Always and Forever".
  22. Lam, Teresa (July 17, 2019). "Lana Condor & Noah Centineo Have Begun Filming 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before 3'". HypeBae.
  23. Andreeva, Nellie (April 1, 2021). "'To All The Boys' Spinoff Series Starring Anna Cathcart Eyed By Netflix From Jenny Han, Awesomeness & ACE Entertainment". Deadline. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  24. Andreeva, Nellie (October 18, 2021). "'To All The Boys' Spinoff YA Series 'XO, Kitty' Starring Anna Cathcart Ordered By Netflix". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  25. "To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  26. "To All the Boys I've Loved Before Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive . Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  27. "To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  28. "To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  29. "To All the Boys: Always and Forever (2021)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  30. "To All the Boys: Always and Forever Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  31. "XO, Kitty". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  32. "XO, Kitty". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved November 1, 2023.