Midnight Sun (2018)

Kernel Score: 87% · 3,534 ratings · Rated PG-13

Genres: Romance, Drama

Released: 2018-03-22

Runtime: 92 minutes

Is Midnight Sun worth watching?

Depends on your taste. A teen romance about a girl who can't go out in sunlight. It's earnest and sweet, and audiences clearly loved it, but it follows the tearjerker formula closely. If you like that genre it works well.

Watch it if you

  • like young-adult tearjerker romances
  • enjoy sweet, earnest love stories
  • want a gentle comfort watch

Skip it if you

  • dislike predictable romance beats
  • are tired of illness-driven love stories

Best for: Cry-it-out night

Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.

Where to watch Midnight Sun

US availability, updated 2026-10-22.

Overview

Katie, a 17-year-old, has been sheltered since childhood and confined to her house during the day by a rare disease that makes even the smallest amount of sunlight deadly. Fate intervenes when she meets Charlie and they embark on a summer romance.

Midnight Sun parents' guide: ages 11+

Parents need to know that Midnight Sun is a teen romance/illness drama with light content concerns.

  • Violence & scariness: None — No significant violence; a car accident occurs late in the story.
  • Sex, romance & nudity: A little — Teen romance includes kissing and implied physical affection, nothing explicit.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

Movies like Midnight Sun

If you liked Midnight Sun, these are the movies we'd watch next.

  • Five Feet Apart (2019) — 89%: Teen romance where illness keeps the leads physically apart.
  • We Live in Time (2024) — 82%: Tender modern love story shadowed by illness.
  • The Notebook (2004) — 88%: Epic romantic drama built on lasting love.
  • Dirty Dancing (1987) — 83%: Summer romance full of music and dance.
  • The Best of Me (2014) — 84%: Sad love story that spans years.
  • Clouds (2020) — 89%: Music and illness shape a moving true-story romance.

Director

Scott Speer

Cast

  • Bella Thorne as Katie Price
  • Patrick Schwarzenegger as Charlie Reed
  • Rob Riggle as Jack Price
  • Quinn Shephard as Morgan
  • Ken Tremblett as Mark Reed
  • Suleka Mathew as Dr. Paula Fleming
  • Jenn Griffin as Barb Reed
  • Nicholas Coombe as Garver
  • Tiera Skovbye as Zoe Carmichael
  • Norm Misura as Fred / Night Clerk

Midnight Sun FAQ

Is Midnight Sun worth watching?

Depends on your taste. A teen romance about a girl who can't go out in sunlight. It's earnest and sweet, and audiences clearly loved it, but it follows the tearjerker formula closely. If you like that genre it works well.

Where can I watch Midnight Sun?

In the US you can stream Midnight Sun on Prime Video, Hulu, Philo and Starz, watch it free with ads on The Roku Channel, Shout! Factory TV, YouTube Free and Plex and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.

Is Midnight Sun OK for kids?

Midnight Sun is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Midnight Sun is a teen romance/illness drama with light content concerns.

What movies are like Midnight Sun?

If you liked Midnight Sun, try Five Feet Apart, We Live in Time, The Notebook and Dirty Dancing.