Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Lightweight threequel has language, drinking, and sex.
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The Kissing Booth 3
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 9 parent reviews
Based on 27 kid reviews
Kids say the latest installment of the series is a disappointing addition, often criticized for its poor storyline, excessive swearing, and overemphasis on sexual themes that may not be suitable for younger audiences. While some viewers appreciated elements of character growth and the romance, many felt the film failed to capture the charm of its predecessors, leaving them bored and dissatisfied.
- weak storyline
- excessive swearing
- unsuitable themes
- character disappointments
- mixed reviews
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
It's the start of the last summer before Elle (Joey King), Lee (Joel Courtney), and Lee's girlfriend, Rachel (Meganne Young), leave for college in THE KISSING BOOTH 3. Elle is trying to decide between two places she got accepted -- Berkeley, where her best friend Lee is attending, and Harvard, where her boyfriend, Lee's brother, Noah (Jacob Elordi), already goes. All signs point toward Harvard and Noah, until their relationship starts to hit some speed bumps over the summer. The boys' parents (Molly Ringwald and Morne Visser) announce they're selling the kids' favorite childhood home-away-from-home; Elle's dad (Stephen Jennings) is dating again; and Elle's former flame Marco (Taylor Zakhar Perez) is suddenly back in the picture. Meanwhile, Elle is doing everything she can to avoid hurt feelings with Lee, including fulfilling a long-lost summer beach bucket list.
Is It Any Good?
In this lightweight third entry to the series, privileged teens spend their last summer before (Ivy League) college grappling with relationships and growing up. The Kissing Booth 3 will provide some closure for fans of the previous films, especially in its "Six years later" epilogue. But there's not much by way of deeper character development, and the story's central conflict -- which college (and therefore brother) Elle will choose -- doesn't really provide much conflict at all. Nor do storylines about the boys' parents selling their beach house, Chloe's parents getting a divorce, Marco still holding a flame for Elle, or high school relationships coming to an end.
Molly Ringwald is sadly underused in this sequel, and disparate accents (including Australian Elordi's poking through as American Noah) are left unexplained. A montage of the teens' fulfillment of a bucket list of activities feels improbable, as does the extreme wealth on display. Likewise, in a scene where Elle, already feeling down, drops a bunch of trash when a bag tears, Lee tries to cheer her up by explaining that according to his mother, there are only two things worth spending "a little extra" on: trash bags and bacon. The anecdote's lack of deeper meaning is reflective of the film as a whole.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Kissing Booth 3 picks up themes and storylines from the two earlier films, if they've seen them. Were there plot twists or character developments you didn't expect? What references to events from past films did you pick up on?
Why do studios make sequels? What are the benefits and risks involved?
What did you think of this film's epilogue?
Drinking plays a major role here. Does the movie make casual drinking by underage kids look cool? Are there any realistic consequences? Why is it a good idea for families with older kids and teens to discuss drinking and substance abuse in movies?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : August 11, 2021
- Cast : Joey King , Jacob Elordi , Joel Courtney
- Director : Vince Marcello
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Book Characters , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , School ( High School )
- Run time : 112 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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