Girls Like Girls is an American coming-of-age romance movie, released in theaters across the United States on June 19, 2026, starring Maya da Costa as Coley and Myra Molloy as Sonya, with Levon Hawke and Zach Braff in key supporting roles. Directed by Hayley Kiyoko in her feature directorial debut (who also co-wrote the screenplay with Stefanie Scott), the film is a heartfelt adaptation of Kiyoko’s own 2023 best-selling novel, which itself grew out of her iconic 2015 single “Girls Like Girls.”
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Set during one sun-drenched summer in rural Oregon, it follows 17-year-old Coley as she navigates grief after her mother’s death, moves in with her estranged father, and experiences first love when she meets the outgoing, popular athlete Sonya. Their connection sparks a tender, emotionally charged romance that forces both girls to confront self-doubt, identity, and what it means to truly accept love. As it opens in US theaters on June 19, 2026, Girls Like Girls arrives with strong critical buzz and cultural anticipation.
It premiered at the Frameline Film Festival and has been positioned as thoughtful counterprogramming on Father’s Day weekend. Early reviews have praised the authentic chemistry between leads Maya da Costa and Myra Molloy, the nostalgic summer atmosphere, and Kiyoko’s confident directorial voice in telling a sapphic coming-of-age story with honesty and heart. As a specialty release from Focus Features, it is not chasing massive opening weekend numbers like big studio blockbusters.
Instead, it is expected to perform steadily in key markets through strong word-of-mouth within LGBTQ+ audiences, younger viewers, and fans of heartfelt queer romance. Its success will likely be measured by per-screen averages, longevity in theaters, and how well it connects emotionally with audiences seeking representation and genuine storytelling. Internationally, it should find a warm reception on streaming platforms and in markets that embrace inclusive coming-of-age films.
Girls Like Girls 2026 Overview
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Girls Like Girls |
| Directed by | Hayley Kiyoko |
| Written by | Hayley Kiyoko and Stefanie Scott (screenplay); story by Hayley Kiyoko and Chloe Okuno |
| Produced by | Marc Platt, Katie McNicol, Adam Siegel and others (Marc Platt Productions, BuzzFeed Studios) |
| Actor | Levon Hawke (as Trenton) |
| Actress | Maya da Costa (as Coley), Myra Molloy (as Sonya) |
| Other Cast | Zach Braff (as Curtis), Hunter Dillon and supporting ensemble |
| Cinematography | Sonja Tsypin |
| Edited by | Christine Armstrong and Sabine Hoffman |
| Music by | Original score by Jessica Rose Weiss; new music from Hayley Kiyoko |
| Production Companies | Marc Platt Productions, BuzzFeed Studios |
| Distributed by | Focus Features |
| Release Date | June 19, 2026 (United States theatrical) |
| Running Time | 95 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Film Industry | Hollywood |
| Genre | Coming-of-age romance, Drama, LGBTQ+ |
| Censor Rating | R |
Girls Like Girls Day Wise Box Office Collection
| Day | Date | US Collection Gross (Millions) | Fluctuation (%+/-) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | June 19, 2026 | TBU (Limited/specialty theatrical opening) | (Opening Day) |
| Day 2 | June 20, 2026 | TBU | TBU |
| Day 3 | June 21, 2026 | TBU | TBU |
| Total US Gross | – | TBU (Expected steady niche performance with potential expansion) | – |
| Total Worldwide Gross | – | TBU (US theatrical + strong international streaming potential) | – |
Box office data published on this website is compiled through independent research and publicly available sources for informational purposes only. Figures are approximate and may differ significantly from official producer, distributor, or studio records. Data is subject to change and may be updated, revised, or corrected at any time without prior notice as more accurate information becomes available. Tenvow makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any data presented at any given point in time. This data should not be used for commercial, financial, or legal decision-making. Tenvow is not liable for any loss or damage arising from reliance on this information.
Girls Like Girls is a Hit or Flop
To be updated
What is the budget of Girls Like Girls
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Our Review
Hayley Kiyoko’s directorial debut feels like a natural and deeply personal extension of the world she first created in her 2015 song “Girls Like Girls” and later expanded in her 2023 novel. Girls Like Girls captures that same tender, aching, and ultimately hopeful spirit on screen. It is a sun-drenched summer romance about first love, grief, self-acceptance, and the terrifying, exhilarating moment when you realize the person you are drawn to might feel the same way about you.
In a genre often filled with glossy or overly stylized queer stories, this one stands out for its grounded emotional truth and the way it lets its young characters simply exist in their feelings without rushing to tidy resolutions. The story centers on Coley (Maya da Costa), a reserved 17-year-old who moves to rural Oregon to live with her estranged father (Zach Braff) after her mother’s death. Still processing her grief and unsure how to fit into this new, quieter life, Coley spends her days biking alone and swimming at the lake.
Everything changes when she meets Sonya (Myra Molloy), a popular, outgoing athlete who seems to move through the world with an easy confidence Coley envies and is instantly drawn to. Their friendship begins with small, charged moments — an AIM username written on an arm, shared glances, late-night conversations — and slowly deepens into something more. What makes the romance feel special is how naturally it unfolds.
There is no big “coming out” speech or dramatic declaration early on. Instead, the film trusts the audience to feel the electricity between the two girls and the quiet fear that comes with it, especially for Sonya, who is navigating her own internalized doubts and an on-again/off-again boyfriend (Levon Hawke). Maya da Costa and Myra Molloy are wonderful together. Da Costa brings a quiet vulnerability and raw honesty to Coley that makes her grief and longing feel completely real.
Molloy is magnetic as Sonya — bubbly and magnetic on the surface, but with layers of uncertainty and fear underneath that make her journey just as compelling. Their chemistry carries the film. The supporting cast, including Zach Braff as the distant but well-meaning father, adds emotional texture without overpowering the central story. Hayley Kiyoko directs with a light but assured touch, letting scenes breathe and trusting the performances.
The summer setting in rural Oregon is captured beautifully — the backroads, the lake, the small-town parties — creating a nostalgic, dreamy atmosphere that enhances the romance without feeling overly stylized. The new music from Kiyoko adds another layer of intimacy and emotional punch. What resonates most is how the film handles the internal struggles alongside the external ones.
Coley is not just figuring out her feelings for Sonya; she is also learning how to live with loss and rebuild a relationship with her father. Sonya’s hesitation comes from a very real place of fear about what it means to date a girl in their world. The film does not shy away from the messiness of first love or the self-doubt that can sabotage it, but it also never loses sight of the joy and possibility. By the end, it feels earned and hopeful without being simplistic.
It is the kind of story that will mean a great deal to young people seeing their experiences reflected with care and without judgment. From a box office perspective, Girls Like Girls is exactly the kind of specialty release that can build a loyal audience over time. Opening on June 19 as counterprogramming on Father’s Day weekend, it is not competing for the biggest screens or widest release. Instead, it is counting on strong reviews, organic word-of-mouth, and the built-in fanbase from Kiyoko’s music and book.
Early critical response has been warm, with praise for its authenticity and the leads’ chemistry. If that momentum continues, it should post respectable per-screen numbers in key markets and have the potential to expand or hold strongly in subsequent weeks. Its real legacy, however, will likely be how it connects with audiences long after its theatrical run — especially on streaming, where coming-of-age queer stories often find their biggest and most devoted viewership.
Girls Like Girls is a confident, heartfelt directorial debut that delivers exactly what it promises: a beautiful, honest summer romance about two girls learning to love each other and themselves. It has the emotional intelligence and chemistry to stand out in a crowded summer release calendar. If you are looking for a film that treats queer first love with tenderness and realism, or simply want a coming-of-age story that feels lived-in and true, this one is worth seeking out in theaters starting June 19.
Hayley Kiyoko has made something special here — a film that feels like both a love letter to her own younger self and an invitation for new audiences to experience that same rush of first love and self-discovery.
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Disclaimer:
- Box office figures in this article are independently estimated by Tenvow based on an internal tracking methodology that evaluates theatre occupancy trends, distributor feedback, and regional trade indicators.
- The data reflects industry estimates available at the time of publication and may vary slightly from officially reported or audited figures released later.
- These figures should be considered preliminary and indicative, not official confirmations.
- Tenvow does not guarantee absolute accuracy of the data and presents it solely for informational purposes.
- All financial figures are stated in United States dollars (USD) and represented in millions, unless specified otherwise.
- All dates and times mentioned follow Eastern Standard Time (EST) (UTC-5)
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