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Entertainment • Film

The Life List

The Life List is a 2025 American romantic comedy-drama film directed and written by Adam Brooks.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Life List is a 2025 American romantic comedy-drama film directed and written by Adam Brooks. It stars Sofia Carson, Kyle Allen, and Connie Britton, and is adapted from Lori Nelson Spielman’s novel of the same name. The film was released on Netflix on March 28, 2025.

Premise

The story follows Alex Rose, a young woman who is sent on a mission to complete a life list she wrote as a teenager. As she completes the items, she uncovers family secrets, grief, romance, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Production and release

The Life List was written and directed by Adam Brooks and produced for Netflix. It premiered on Netflix on March 28, 2025, and is listed as a PG-13 English-language drama with romantic-comedy elements.

Source material

The film is based on Lori Nelson Spielman’s novel The Life List. The adaptation retains the central idea of a teenage bucket list driving the protagonist’s personal growth.

Reception

Critical response was mixed, with some reviewers praising its emotional appeal and others describing it as formulaic or overly neat. Aggregated review reporting cited a Metacritic score of 49 out of 100, indicating mixed or average reviews.

Key facts

  • The film follows a young woman who works through a teenage bucket list after her mother’s death.
  • It is adapted from Lori Nelson Spielman’s 2013 novel.
  • Adam Brooks wrote and directed the film.
  • The cast includes Sofia Carson, Kyle Allen, and Connie Britton.
  • Netflix released the film on March 28, 2025.
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Canadian context

The Life List is available to Canadian viewers through Netflix, making it part of the platform’s film catalogue in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Life List about?
It follows Alex Rose as she completes a teenage bucket list after her mother’s death, uncovering family secrets and rediscovering herself.
Who directed The Life List?
Adam Brooks wrote and directed the film.
Who stars in The Life List?
The main cast includes Sofia Carson, Kyle Allen, and Connie Britton.
Is The Life List based on a book?
Yes. It is adapted from Lori Nelson Spielman’s novel of the same name.
When was The Life List released?
It was released on Netflix on March 28, 2025.
What genre is The Life List?
It is generally described as a romantic comedy-drama or drama with romance and comedy elements.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Life_List
    Supports: Basic film identification, release date, cast, director, adaptation, and reception overview.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2172954/
    Supports: Release date and title information.
  3. Netflix (YouTube) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nldAfgJrBr8
    Supports: Official trailer synopsis, premise, and release timing.
  4. Variety — https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/the-life-list-review-1236350163/
    Supports: Plot description and critical reception.
  5. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/81246107
    Supports: Official synopsis, cast, genre, and PG-13 rating.
  6. Netflix Tudum — https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/the-life-list-sofia-carson-release-date-photos-news
    Supports: Plot, cast, adaptation, and production details.
  7. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_life_list
    Supports: Genre, runtime, director, rating, and streaming release date.
  8. The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/mar/28/life-list-movie-review-netflix
    Supports: Review perspective and thematic description.