The Kissing Booth (2018)

The Kissing Booth is the kind of bright, candy-coated teen rom-com that knows exactly what it wants to be: a swoony, high-energy escape where first crushes feel like world-changing events and every hallway glance carries the weight of destiny. Joey King gives Elle a genuinely relatable spark—awkward, brave, and messy in a way that makes the big feelings land even when the movie leans into its own cheesiness. The vibe is playful and flirty, packed with schoolyard chaos, best-friend banter, and just enough heart to keep it from feeling hollow. It’s not for viewers who want subtle realism or a critic-proof love story, but if you’re in the mood for a fun guilty pleasure with plenty of romantic momentum, it’s an easy crowd-pleaser.

The Kissing Booth is aiming for a breezy, candy-colored teen rom-com about first love, friendship rules, and messy high-school choices. The problem is it leans so hard on clichés and wish-fulfillment that the emotions often feel prepackaged rather than earned, and some of the “romantic” behavior comes off controlling or regressive instead of swoony. If you’re sensitive to dated gender dynamics, broad stereotypes, or a story that treats big relationship issues like minor speed bumps, this will likely irritate more than it charms. That said, it’s glossy, fast-moving, and Joey King brings enough energy that it can work as pure background comfort viewing if you’re not looking for nuance.