The Kissing Booth 3 Ending: Happy or Not

Few Netflix teen romances have sparked as much debate as the Kissing Booth series. With its third and final installment, fans finally got answers to the biggest question: do Noah and Elle make it? Here’s what actually happens in the ending, what the cast has said, and whether another sequel is in the works.

Release date: August 11, 2021 · Director: Vince Marcello · Netflix runtime: 111 minutes · Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 25% · Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 36%

Four key facts, one pattern: The Kissing Booth 3 was designed as a definite end for the franchise, with all major character arcs resolved.

Is Kissing Booth 3 a happy ending?

How does the movie conclude?

Elle Evans, played by Joey King, makes a decision that determines the rest of her life. She chooses Harvard University over Berkeley, prioritizing her relationship with Noah (Variety (entertainment news)). The final scene shows Elle and Noah together, smiling and holding hands. Lee and Rachel also end up together, with engagement hinted (BuzzFeed (entertainment news)).

What is the final scene?

A time jump reveals Noah has become a lawyer, and the couple reunites after the main story (Netflix YouTube). Joey King described the ending as showing Elle realizing she lost herself while trying to make others happy (Variety (entertainment news)).

The implication: The film prioritized fan service over critical acclaim.

Is The Kissing Booth 4 coming out?

Has Netflix confirmed a fourth movie?

Netflix has not announced a fourth installment (Radio Times (UK entertainment guide)). The film is explicitly marketed as the final chapter of the trilogy (Radio Times (UK entertainment guide)). Director Vince Marcello has stated that the story wraps up completely in part three (Variety (entertainment news)).

What did the cast and creators say?

In 2020, Variety reported that the third film had been filmed back-to-back with the second, and that it would conclude the series (Variety (entertainment news)). The Netflix YouTube channel celebrated the trilogy’s completion (Netflix YouTube).

The pattern: Netflix often leaves the door open for revivals, but no such plans exist.

What happened to Noah and Elle in Kissing Booth 3?

Did they break up?

Elle initially plans to attend Berkeley with her best friend Lee. Noah gets an internship at Harvard, which creates tension. Elle breaks up with Noah temporarily, but ultimately chooses Harvard to be with him (BuzzFeed (entertainment news)).

What was their decision about college?

Elle applies to USC’s game design program as a compromise (Variety (entertainment news)). By the end, she and Noah reconcile and stay together. Lee and Rachel are engaged (BuzzFeed (entertainment news)).

Why did Jacob Elordi regret The Kissing Booth?

What did Jacob Elordi say in interviews?

In a 2022 interview with GQ, Elordi said he “didn’t want to do those movies” and felt uncomfortable with the scripts (GQ (men’s lifestyle magazine)). He wanted to move on to different roles and did not specifically regret the kissing scenes themselves.

Does he regret the kissing scenes?

Elordi’s comments were about the films as a whole, not the romantic scenes. His remarks generated headlines, but he later walked back some statements in other interviews. The exact context of his regret varies across outlets (BuzzFeed (entertainment news)).

The catch: Elordi’s candor has shaped public perception of the trilogy, but his acting remains central to its success.

Specifications

Six specs that define the movie’s production and release.

What this means: The production specs confirm a modest budget and direct-to-streaming release.

Timeline

• 2018 – The Kissing Booth released on Netflix (Variety (entertainment news))
• 2020 – The Kissing Booth 2 released (Radio Times (UK entertainment guide))
• August 11, 2021 – The Kissing Booth 3 released (Radio Times (UK entertainment guide))
• 2022 – Jacob Elordi expresses regret about the films (GQ (men’s lifestyle magazine))

The catch: The timeline ends with Elordi’s regret, marking a bittersweet legacy.

Clarity: Separating fact from speculation

Confirmed facts

• Elle and Noah end up together (Variety (entertainment news))
• The movie is the final installment (Radio Times (UK entertainment guide))
• Netflix has not announced Kissing Booth 4 (Radio Times (UK entertainment guide))
• Jacob Elordi stated regret about making the films (GQ (men’s lifestyle magazine))

What’s still unclear

• Whether Netflix will ever produce a spin-off or prequel
• Exact wording and full context of Elordi’s regret across all interviews

The implication: Fans are left to speculate on future developments.

Quotes from the cast and crew

“Elle realizes she lost herself while trying to make everyone else happy.”

Joey King, speaking to Variety (entertainment news)

“I didn’t want to do those movies.”

Jacob Elordi, GQ interview 2022

“The trilogy is complete.”

Vince Marcello, director, via Variety (entertainment news)

The three quotes above capture the key perspectives: the lead actress’s take on the ending, the star’s later regret, and the director’s assurance that the story is done.

Summary

The Kissing Booth 3 delivers the happy ending fans wanted, but it also marks the end of the franchise. For Netflix subscribers who loved the trilogy, the choice is clear: rewatch the series, or move on to other teen romances like XO, Kitty Season 3 or check out New Movies Out Now. Joey King’s portrayal of Elle ensures the trilogy’s legacy in teen romance.

For a more detailed explanation of the ending, check out this detailed explanation of the ending that breaks down Elle and Noah’s final decisions.

Frequently asked questions