When The Kissing Booth premiered on Netflix in May 2018, Joey King became a breakout star of modern teen rom-coms. The film’s surprise success led to two sequels, The Kissing Booth 2 in July 2020 and The Kissing Booth 3 in August 2021 – solidifying Joey King’s movies as fan favorites within the genre. Before becoming Netflix’s teen queen, Joey King’s acting journey began much earlier, with notable performances that showcased her range and talent.
How Joey King’s Kissing Booth Movies Became a Netflix Phenomenon
It all began with her performance as Elle Evans, a quirky high schooler navigating love and loyalty. That lead role in the Kissing Booth movie put Joey King on the global map, evolving her from a child actor into a Netflix-era leading lady. Netflix later revealed that the film had unusually high re-watch rates, confirming its widespread appeal, which eventually led to it becoming a trilogy.
Kissing Booth Behind the Scenes: Joey King’s Evolution from Actor to Producer
For anyone curious about what went into the Kissing Booth movie, Joey King has often shared fun insights. Filming kicked off in Los Angeles and Cape Town, with the team wrapping the original in early 2017. What fans love most about Joey King’s Kissing Booth journey is her openness about what happened off-camera. From a full day of dance rehearsals on green screens to her professionalism while working with ex-boyfriend and co-star Jacob Elordi (who played Noah Flynn), Joey proved her dedication to the character and the story.
She didn’t just act, she produced. For both sequels, Joey took on an executive producer role, gaining creative control and shaping Elle Evans’ evolution. That added depth to what fans now fondly refer to as the “Joey King Kissing Booth” trilogy.
Joey King and Jacob Elordi: Dating Co-Stars & Professional Chemistry
Digging deeper into Joey King’s Kissing Booth behind the scenes reveals real chemistry with the cast, especially Joel Courtney (Lee Flynn). The duo’s natural friendship added joy to the production, while her bond with Taylor Zakhar Perez (Marco) blossomed into a genuine off-screen friendship after intense dance rehearsals.
Notably, Joey also dated her Kissing Booth co-star Jacob Elordi, who played the brooding Noah Flynn. The two began their relationship while filming the first movie in 2017 and were together during much of the film’s rise to popularity. Though they eventually broke up before shooting the sequels, both actors remained professional and continued working together without public drama.
Why Joey King’s Kissing Booth Movies Became Cultural Phenomena
Despite polarizing critical reception, the trilogy, especially the first Kissing Booth movie Joey King led, became a cultural phenomenon. The series, based on Beth Reekles’ Wattpad novel, exploded with popularity online, giving Netflix one of its most-watched original franchises at the time.
The impact on Joey King was massive. Following the release, her Instagram follower count surged from under 1 million to over 6 million. She became instantly recognizable worldwide and landed on TIME’s list of Most Influential Teens in 2018.
Joey King’s Career After Kissing Booth: From Netflix to Emmy Recognition
The trilogy gave King both stardom and serious career momentum. Post-Kissing Booth, Joey landed dramatic roles like her Emmy-nominated turn in The Act, and starred in films like Bullet Train (2022) and The Princess. Her producing career is now in full swing, with deals at both Hulu and Netflix, expanding the range of upcoming Joey King TV shows and adding even more depth to the ever-growing Joey King filmography.
Conclusion
Whether you discovered her through Instagram, a Netflix binge, or were just Googling “Joey King in Kissing Booth,” there’s no denying the impact of these films. The trilogy was more than just a teen love story for her. It launched a career, sparked global fandoms, and offered an inside look at the making of a Gen Z classic. Elle Evans may have graduated, but Joey King’s place in pop culture is only just beginning.
