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People We Meet on Vacation’s Emily Bader Reacts to Costar Tom Blyth Calling Her "The Next Meg Ryan"
Emily Bader will have what Meg Ryan is having.
After the People We Meet on Vacation actress earned comparisons to the When Harry Met Sally star for her performance in the Emily Henry adaptation by not only fans, but her costar Tom Blyth, she told E! News it is “the biggest compliment” she could have ever received.
“She’s so amazing,” Bader explained in an exclusive joint interview alongside Tom. “To even get anywhere close. I will say I’m very inspired. I love actors a lot, so part of the reason I like doing this is seeing characters, seeing actors that I love and trying to maybe learn something from it, so, that was so nice.”
Indeed, Bader admitted that part of the way she prepared to fill the flip flops of Poppy Wright from the beloved novel was to study iconic romantic comedies, particularly films Ryan-led like You’ve Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, and more.
“When I first got the job, our director mentioned how big of a fan he is of the sort of ‘90s, 2000s Nora Ephron world of rom-coms,” she explained. “So I watched any and all of them, which was a great way to prep.”
And while People We Meet on Vacation director Brett Haley cited Ephron as a behind-the-scenes muse, Bader shared how she quickly picked up on Ryan’s acting chops for her own inspiration.
“She toes this line of being really authentic and being able to have this really well of emotional depth but also be kind of silly,” Bader explained. “She doesn’t seem to take herself too seriously in these roles and I mean that as the highest compliment. Being able to fall on your face a little bit for the sake of these characters in comedy is something I was definitely inspired by.”
Netflix
As for what Blyth saw in Bader that made him make such a flattering comparison to the Queen of the Rom-Com in the first place? It was how seamlessly she transformed into the love interest for his own character, Alex Nilsen.
“Everyone was saying for this character, like ‘Who’s Meg Ryan then, now?’” Tom added to E! News. “Everyone was like, ‘Who is it?’ and then you popped up and everyone was like, ‘Oh.’ There’s that quality that nobody has.”
Netflix
Director Haley also emphasized that he couldn’t have envisioned a better Poppy than Bader. In fact, he even named one car ride scene in People We Meet that saw Bader unintentionally channel Ryan’s performance in When Harry Met Sally with ease.
“There’s a moment that everyone is freaking out about where, I think Sally in the car is like spraying her hair,” Haley explained in a separate interview with E! News alongside Henry. “And there’s a moment where Emily puts her ChapStick on and moves the mirror. Emily just did that on the day. She was just feeling that and I put that into the movie. She did that on one take and no other take.”
As he recalled, “I just went, ‘well that’s the one that’s going in.’”
People We Meet on Vacation hits Netflix Jan. 9. Keep reading for more upcoming releases to keep on your radar…
A24
Eternity - November 26, 2025
In an afterlife where souls have one week to decide where to spend eternity, Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) is faced with the impossible choice between the man she spent her life with (Miles Teller) and her first love (Callum Turner), who died young and has waited decades for her to arrive.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Zootopia 2 - November 26, 2025
This sequel to the Oscar-winning 2016 animated hit promises a return to Animal Metropolis with familiar faces Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) along with some new characters like Gary D'Snake (Ke Huy Quan) and quokka therapist Dr Fuzzyby (Quinta Brunson).
Where to Watch: In theaters
Focus Features
Hamnet - November 27, 2025
Based on the award-winning 2020 novel by Maggie O'Farrell and directed by Oscar winner Chloé Zhao, Hamnet tells the story of how William Shakespeare endured family tragedy to create his masterpiece, Hamlet. Starring Paul Mescal, Jessie Buckley, and Joe Alwyn.
Where to Watch: In select theaters on Nov. 27, expanding nationwide on Dec. 12.
Alisha Wetherill/Prime
Oh. What. Fun. - December 3, 2025
This fresh twist on the classic holiday-comedy features a star-studded cast as one big dysfunctional family, including Michelle Pfeiffer, Felicity Jones, Chloë Grace Moretz, Denis Leary, Dominic Sessa, Jason Schwartzman, and Eva Longoria.
Where to Watch: Streaming on Prime Video
Sony Pictures Classics
Merrily We Roll Along - December 5, 2025
Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez star in the live stage filming of the Tony-winning Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's musical.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Netflix
Jay Kelly - December 5, 2025
George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Billy Crudup and Laura Dern star in this "heartbreaking comedy" from writer-director Noah Baumbach.
Where to Watch: In theaters Nov. 14 and streaming on Netflix Dec. 5.
Universal Pictures
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 - December 9, 2025
The 2023 horror hit gets the sequel treatment, with returning stars Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail and Matthew Lilllard joined by new characters played by Mckenna Grace and Skeet Ulrich.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Wilson Webb/Prime
Merv - December 10, 2025
When their beloved dog Merv loses his spark after their split, Anna (Zooey Deschanel) and Russ (Charlie Cox) are forced into the world’s most awkward co-parenting arrangement.
Where to Watch: Streaming on Prime Video
Netflix
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery - December 12, 2025
Daniel Craig returns as Benoit Blanc for his most dangerous case yet, alongside a stellar supporting cast including Glenn Close, Josh O'Connor, Josh Brolin, Jeremy Renner, Mila Kunis and Kerry Washington.
Where to Watch: Streaming on Netflix
20th Century Studios
Ella McCay - December 12, 2025
An all-star cast (Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jack Lowden, Kumail Nanjiani, Ayo Edebiri) leads this comedy about an idealistic young woman juggling her family and work life.
Where to Watch: In theaters
20th Century Studios
Avatar: Fire and Ash - December 19, 2025
Director James Cameron delivers the third film in his blockbuster Avatar franchise, promising a darker storyline as Jake and Neytiri's family clash with the Mangkwan Clan, also known as the Ash People. Starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Kate Winslet,Oona Chaplin, and Michelle Yeoh.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Daniel McFadden/Lionsgate
The Housemaid - December 19, 2025
Based on the best-selling novel by Freida McFadden, this thriller follows a young woman (Sydney Sweeney) who accepts a job as a live-in housemaid for a wealthy couple (Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar) and soon finds herself trapped in a seductive game of secrets and scandal.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Searchlight Pictures
Is This Thing On? - December 19, 2025
Directed by Bradley Cooper and starring Will Arnett and Laura Dern, this comedy-drama follows a middle-aged comedian navigating an impending divorce.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Paramount Pictures
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants - December 19, 2025
SpongeBob and his Bikini Bottom friends set sail on a seafaring comedy-adventure, complete with ghost pirates.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Kimberley French / Netflix
Goodbye June - December 24, 2025
It’s nearly Christmas when an unexpected turn in their mother’s health thrusts four adult siblings, and their exasperating father, into chaos as they navigate messy family dynamics in the face of potential loss. Kate Winslet makes her directorial debut and stars alongside Helen Mirren, Toni Collette, Andrea Riseborough, Johnny Flynn, and Timothy Spall.
Where to Watch: Streaming on Netflix
A24
Marty Supreme - December 25, 2025
Timothée Chalamet takes the lead in this 1950s-set sports drama about a young man with a dream of becoming a champion table-tennis player. Also starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Odessa A'zion.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Focus Features
Song Sung Blue - December 25, 2025
Based on a true story, two down-on-their-luck musicians (Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson) form a joyous Neil Diamond tribute band, proving it's never too late to find love and follow your dreams.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Sony Pictures
Anaconda - December 25, 2025
Jack Black and Paul Rudd star in this comedy adventure about two friends who travel to the Amazon to film a remake of their all-time favorite snake movie, and find themselves facing off against an actual giant anaconda.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Netflix
People We Meet on Vacation - January 9, 2026
Tom Blyth and Emily Bader star in the movie adaptation of Emily Henry's bestselling romance novel.
Where to Watch: Streaming on Netflix
Paramount Pictures
Primate - January 9, 2026
A group of friends’ tropical vacation turns into a terrifying, primal tale of
horror and survival.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Claire Folger/Netflix
The Rip - January 16, 2026
BFFs Matt Damon and Ben Affleck reunite for this action thriller about a team of Miami cops who discover millions in cash in a derelict stash house and along with it some serious trust issues. Also starring Teyana Taylor and Steven Yeun.
Where to Watch: Streaming on Netflix
Sony Pictures
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple - January 16, 2026
Ralph Fiennes stars in this spin-off of the post-apocalyptic franchise, in which the inhumanity of the survivors becomes even more terrifying than the infected.
Where to Watch: In theaters
20th Century Studios
Send Help - January 30, 2026
Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien star in this dark comedy about two office colleagues who find themselves stranded on a deserted island after they are the only survivors of a plane crash. On the island, they must overcome past grievances and work together to survive.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Sony Picture Animation
GOAT - February 13, 2026
From the studio behind Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse comes this animated comedy set in an all-animal world that follows Will, a small goat who gets the chance to play roarball - a dangerous, full-contact game dominated by the fiercest foes. Featuring Stephen Curry, Gabrielle Union, and Caleb McLaughlin.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Warner Bros. Pictures
Wuthering Heights - February 14, 2026
Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi step into the iconic roles of Catherine and Heathcliff in Saltburn director Emerald Fennell's new adaptation of Emily Brontë's classic novel.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Paramount Pictures
Scream 7 - February 27, 2026
Neve Campbell returns to the Scream franchise as iconic final girl Sidney Prescott, this time to protect her own family from a new Ghostface killer. Also starring Courteney Cox, Isabel May, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Anna Camp, Joel McHale, Mckenna Grace, and plenty of surprise cameos.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Warner Bros. Pictures
The Cat in the Hat - February 27, 2026
Based on the beloved Dr. Seuss book, this animated adaptation will feature the voices of Bill Hader, Quinta Brunson, Bowen Yang, and America Ferrera.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Warner Bros. Pictures
The Bride! - March 6, 2026
In writer/director Maggie Gyllenhaal's new take on the classic 1935 Bride of Frankenstein film, a lonely Frankenstein (Christian Bale) travels to 1930s Chicago to ask a groundbreaking scientist to create a companion (Jessie Buckley) for him. Also starring Annette Bening, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Penelope Cruz.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Disney/Pixar
Hoppers - March 6, 2026
Pixar’s all-new feature film introduces Mabel, an animal lover who uses new technology to “hop” human consciousness into lifelike robotic animals, allowing people to communicate with animals as animals!
Where to Watch: In theaters
Amazon MGM Studios
Project Hail Mary - March 20, 2026
Based on Andy Weir's (The Martian) best-selling novel, this sci-fi adventure stars Ryan Gosling as a science teacher who wakes up on a spaceship light years from home and, as his memory returns, begins to uncover his mission: solve the riddle of the mysterious substance causing the sun to die out.
Where to Watch: In theaters
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