GIRLS LIKE GIRLS is a 2026 LGBTQ+ Coming-of-Age movie based on the iconic Hayley Kiyoko music video. It’s a movie about finding yourself, your people, maybe even your person. It’s sweet, heartbreaking, and uplifting. Yes, all at once. Read our full Girls Like Girls movie review here and find it on Peacock now!
GIRLS LIKE GIRLS is not just a song or a music video any longer; it’s also a movie. And now you can watch it on Peacock, which you absolutely should. And if you’ve already caught it while it was in movie theaters, then surely a rewatch is due.
As someone who has had Hayley Kiyoko’s song and music video on repeat while working, I had no doubt I would enjoy this movie. I’m happy to report that I was absolutely right; It’s a real treat. Also, yes, I am listening to that amazing song while writing this review.
Continue reading our Girls Like Girls movie review below. Find it on Peacock now.
The music video that started it all
Girls Like Girls, in this 2026 feature film version, is still based on writer-director Hayley Kiyoko’s hit single music video and best-selling novel of the same name. The music video came out more than a decade ago, has 164 million views (and counting as I listen to it on repeat while writing this), and I still love watching it.
In this feature film, we get all-new music from Hayley Kiyoko, which is yet another treat. And yes, full disclosure, many years ago, I have actually attended a Hayley Kiyoko concert. I do believe it’s the closest I have ever been to experiencing what Beatlemania must have been like.
Girls went crazy in ways I have never seen before.
Well, okay, when I attended a Comic Con in Copenhagen, where Alycia Debnam-Carey was a guest just after Clexa and during the whole “Bury You Gays” craziness of that particular era, something similar happened.
Not as much screaming, though.
Anyway, my point (and I do have one) is simply that if you’re also a fan of the music video, you can expect to enjoy this movie as well. Obviously, the plot goes beyond just the music video premise, but the characters are familiar, and the added storyline just made for a more character-driven plot.
Love the 2006 setting of the story
Girls Like Girls is truly the most heartfelt lesbian coming-of-age story. It plays out over the course of one sun-drenched summer in 2006. This means it’s before social media like Facebook and Snapchat, but during the age of flip-phones and AOL Messenger.
Ahh yes, those of you old enough to remember those days will recognize the AOL Messenger sounds. Talk about a blast from the past.
Anyway, we meet the new girl in town, Coley (Maya da Costa), who has moved in with her estranged father after losing her mom. Arriving in this new small town, everyone seems to know each other already. Still, people seem friendly, and she meets people to hang out with quickly.
More importantly, Coley meets Sonya (Myra Molloy), and it’s love at first sight.
At the very least, there is something intriguing there. And Sonya clearly feels it too. As Coley falls head-over-heels in love for the first time, Sonya is both encouraging and reluctant. Sonya has a boyfriend, and expectations are placed on her – not least by her mother.
While both girls are feeling those butterflies, Coley is in a place where she is learning to accept herself, and Sonya is still battling much about herself. It makes for some heartbreaking scenes along the way. Many of which will (sadly) feel all too familiar for many viewers.
Watch Girls Like Girls on Peacock now
The director of the feature film version of Girls Like Girls is Hayley Kiyoko. Not only did she make the song and direct the original music video, but she also literally wrote the book. Yes, Hayley Kiyoko wrote a book, which was released in 2023, and this movie is an adaptation of that book, which was inspired by her song and music video.
Co-writing the screenplay alongside Hayley Kiyoko, adapting the novel, are Stefanie Scott and Chloe Okuno.
Alongside Maya da Costa (Under the Bridge) and Myra Molloy, who are perfect in the two lead roles, we also have Zach Braff as Coley’s dad, Levon Hawke (yes, brother of Maya) as the boyfriend of Sonya, plus Alozie LaRose and Sierra Sidwell in other key roles.
Overall, I expected Girls Like Girls to be an honest and cute coming-of-age story for a lesbian character, which it is. However, I was pleased that it also has several other layers that are covered. After all, as much as a crush can feel like life or death in your teens, other parts of life can also be very serious, and that’s covered here as well.
Womentainment recommendation: Watch or rewatch it… and then watch it again!
As someone who has watched Imagine Me & You more times than I can count, I already know that I will also end up watching Girls Like Girls more than once. For the record, the same goes for Kiss Me, Nina’s Heavenly Delights, and Thelma & Louise, for that matter.
And no, that latter one isn’t a lesbian romance story, but it’s adjacent enough, and it is very much a love story.
In any case, the reason I (and many others) rewatch these movies is that they resonate with us. And also, they tend to be full of joy and charm that put a smile on my face and in my heart. Yes, a heart can smile, and mine never stops smiling whenever I watch Imagine Me & You.
This is also why Girls Like Girls is going directly on our “25 Best Lesbian Movies of All Time” list!
Girls Like Girls is a 2026 LGBTQ+ Coming-of-Age story full of teen angst, yearning, young love, sweet romance, and simply trying to figure out the world. Surely, this is something that resonates with teenagers as well as adults who still remember that feeling.
Girls Like Girls was released on Peacock on August 14, 2026. You can also find it on VOD.
Director: Hayley Kiyoko
Writers: Hayley Kiyoko, Stefanie Scott, Chloe Okuno
Stars: Maya da Costa, Myra Molloy, Zach Braff, Levon Hawke, Alozie LaRose, Sierra Sidwell
Official plot:
After moving to a small town, Coley gets drawn into Sonya and her boyfriend’s world as sparks start to fly between the new girl and the popular girl.
