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‘Better Than The Movies’ Cast Revealed: Meet Your New Liz & Wes
Netflix’s Better Than the Movies Adaptation Finds Its Perfect Leads: Beatrice Kitsos & David Iacono
EXCLUSIVE SCOOP: The long wait is over! Netflix has officially cast the two leads for the movie version of the massive BookTok hit Better Than the Movies.
What Is Better Than the Movies Anyway?
Think of it as a love letter written to every romantic comedy you’ve ever loved.
- The Author: Lynn Painter (a #1 New York Times bestselling author).
- The Vibe: It knows all the classic tropes—fake dating, enemies-to-lovers, the boy next door—but flips them upside down to show what a real "happily ever after" looks like.
- The Plot: Liz Buxbaum (our main character) is obsessed with rom-coms. She uses her movie knowledge to scheme with her annoying-but-cute neighbor, Wes Bennett, to win over her unattainable crush. Spoiler: Things don’t go exactly according to the script.
PROOF IT’S A HIT: The book didn’t just sell well; it stayed popular. It sat on the New York Times Monthly YA Paperback Bestseller list for 44 months in a row and the Weekly Hardcover list for 20 weeks.
Meet Your New Favorite On-Screen Couple
The internet (specifically BookTok) has been "fan-casting" this movie for years. Now, the dream has become reality.
Beatrice Kitsos as Liz Buxbaum
- Why she’s perfect: She actually campaigned for the role! When fans suggested her on Instagram, she jumped in and asked for an audition.
- Where you’ve seen her: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, It Lives Inside, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, and iZombie.
David Iacono as Wes Bennett
- Why he’s perfect: BookTok manifested this. Fans made endless reels begging for him to play Wes before the movie was even officially announced.
- Where you’ve seen him: The Summer I Turned Pretty, Jurassic World Rebirth, The Flight Attendant, Grand Army, and Fear Street: Prom Queen.
- Coming up next: He’s starring in the rom-com Goodbye Girl for Amazon MGM Studios.
FUN FACT: This is a full-circle moment for the fandom. The audience picked the cast, and the studio listened.
The Creative Team Behind the Camera
Making a movie takes a village. Here is the "A-Team" building this world:
| Role | Name | Why They Matter |
|---|---|---|
| Director | Julia Hart | She just directed Don’t Say Good Luck (Netflix, out Aug 14). She knows how to handle big feelings and coming-of-age stories. |
| Writers | Heather Flanders & Julia Hart & Jordan Horowitz | Adapting a beloved book is hard; this trio is writing the script to keep the book’s heart intact. |
| Producers | Jordan Horowitz, Shauna Phelan, Melanie Krauss | Horowitz runs "Original Headquarters" with Hart. Phelan & Krauss are executives at Netflix overseeing the project. |
Wait, There’s More Lynn Painter News!
This was a big week for the author. Just yesterday, Deadline reported that Sony Pictures is making a movie of Painter’s other novel, Fake Skating.
- Director: Josh Boone (he directed The Fault in Our Stars—so he knows how to make you cry in a theater).
- Meaning: Lynn Painter is officially having a "moment" in Hollywood. Two books, two major studios, two huge directors.
Quick Actor Cheat Sheets
Beatrice Kitsos
- Agents: The Characters Talent Agency, Neon Kite, Goodman Genow Schenkman.
- Recent Work: Percy Jackson (Disney+), It Lives Inside (Neon Horror).
David Iacono
- Agents: UTA, Rebel Creative Group, Vainshtein Law P.C.
- Recent Work: Summer I Turned Pretty (Prime Video), Jurassic World Rebirth (Universal).
- Upcoming: Goodbye Girl (Amazon MGM / Gulfstream).
Summary: Why You Should Care
- The Book is Huge: 44 months on the bestseller list = guaranteed built-in audience.
- The Casting is Chef’s Kiss: The two leads were literally chosen by the fans (BookTok power!).
- The Director Gets It: Julia Hart specializes in emotional, character-driven stories (Don’t Say Good Luck).
- It’s a Meta Rom-Com: A movie about loving movies, made for people who love movies.
- Lynn Painter is Taking Over: With Fake Skating at Sony and this at Netflix, she is the new queen of YA adaptations.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
1. Do I need to read the book before the movie comes out?
Nope! But you’ll probably want to. Since the movie is being written by people who respect the source material (and the director is great with characters), it should stand on its own. Reading it first just gives you the "book vs. movie" debate fun.
2. What is "BookTok" and why does it matter?
BookTok is the book-loving corner of TikTok. It is insanely powerful. Books go viral there and sell millions of copies years after release. The fact that BookTok predicted this exact casting proves the fans are deeply invested.
3. When can I watch it?
No release date yet. They just announced the leads. Filming usually takes a few months, then editing/VFX takes longer. Best guess? Late 2025 or 2026.
4. Is this a series or a movie?
It is a feature film (movie) adaptation for Netflix.
5. Will the "fake dating" trope be cringey?
The book is famous for subverting tropes (making fun of them while using them). With Julia Hart directing—who does grounded, real emotion—the "fake dating" should feel earned and sweet, not cheesy.
