Girls Like Girls: A Sapphic Coming-of-Age Romance
What Girls Like Girls is about
Girls Like Girls is expected to follow the emotional arc of young women discovering love, identity, and themselves against the backdrop of contemporary life. As a coming-of-age drama rooted in sapphic themes, the film will likely center on the vulnerability and intensity of first love between girls—the kind of story that doesn't shy away from the real, messy, tender moments that define that experience. The tagline, "Love begins when you let it in," suggests a narrative about lowering emotional walls and embracing connection.
What we know so far
Director Hayley Kiyoko is stepping behind the camera for her feature directorial debut, adapting her own 2023 book. The project carries the DNA of multiple collaborators: Focus Features and Marc Platt Productions (known for prestige indie and character-driven work) are producing alongside BuzzFeed Studios and CR8IV DNA. The ensemble cast includes Maya da Costa, Myra Molloy, Levon Hawke, and Zach Braff. Rated R, with a lean 95-minute runtime, the film is classified as both romance and drama—genres that demand emotional authenticity and won't rely on spectacle to land.
Why it's anticipated
What's striking is how rare it still is to see a queer coming-of-age story helmed by someone who's lived that narrative publicly. Kiyoko's work has long centered LGBTQ+ themes and visibility; her 2015 song "Girls Like Girls" became an anthem, and her 2023 book deepened that conversation. She's not adapting someone else's vision here—she's translating her own. That kind of creative ownership tends to produce something with genuine emotional stakes. The involvement of Marc Platt (a producer with serious indie credentials) signals this won't be a superficial treatment. It's a sapphic love story with real resources behind it, which doesn't happen often enough.
Release date and where to watch
Girls Like Girls is expected to release in 2026. The film hasn't yet arrived, and streaming availability hasn't been confirmed. Movie OTT will track platform announcements as rights deals are finalized—check the Where-to-Watch widget on this page for updates as they're announced.
Frequently asked questions
When is Girls Like Girls releasing? The film is expected to release in 2026. No specific release date within that year has been announced yet.
Is Girls Like Girls out yet? No. As of now, the film hasn't been released. It remains in pre-release status.
Where will I be able to watch Girls Like Girls? Streaming availability hasn't been confirmed yet. Movie OTT will update this page and our Where-to-Watch widget as soon as distribution rights are announced.
Who directed Girls Like Girls? Hayley Kiyoko directed the film, making it her feature directorial debut. She also adapted it from her own 2023 book.
What's the runtime and rating? The film runs 95 minutes and carries an R rating, indicating mature content and language.
What to look forward to
There's real anticipation here—not hype, but genuine interest in what Kiyoko will do with her own story on screen. A 95-minute sapphic romance with an R rating and serious production backing? That's something different. We'll find out in 2026 whether the adaptation captures what made the book and song resonate in the first place.
