The Kissing Booth 3

The Kissing Booth 3

Year: 2021

Language: English

Director: Vince Marcello

ComedyRomance

As high school comes to an end, Elle faces a difficult decision. She's deeply in love and presented with the opportunity to move forward with her relationship, but that means leaving behind her close friendship with her best friend. Torn between love and loyalty, she must choose a path that will shape her future and impact the lives of those she cares about most. The decision she makes will have lasting consequences for everyone involved.

Warning: spoilers below!

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The Kissing Booth 3 (2021) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of The Kissing Booth 3 (2021), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

After embarking on a post-graduation road trip, Elle Evans (Joey King) finds herself caught in a dilemma between attending Berkeley or Harvard, while her boyfriend Noah Flynn (Jacob Elordi) has already started making plans for an off-campus apartment for the two of them. Complicating matters, the parents of Noah and Lee Flynn (Joel Courtney) reveal their intention to sell the beloved beach house where the friends spent their youthful summers. To assist with the sale, Elle, Noah, Lee, and Lee’s girlfriend Rachel (Meganne Young) decide to spend the summer there.

During this nostalgic season, Lee aims to create opportunities to bond with Rachel, who is heading to a different college. Meanwhile, Elle grapples with the impending deadline from Berkeley, ultimately deciding to join Noah at Harvard, which frustrates Lee. To mend things, Elle promises Lee that they will complete their beach bucket list of adventurous activities. This includes everything from swimming with sharks, atomic wedgies on Noah, cliff jumping, skydiving, sandcastle building, pie-eating contests, brain-freeze challenges, and even helium karaoke.

As summer progresses, Chloe Winthrop (Maisie Richardson-Sellers), an old friend of Noah’s who is facing her own family struggles, arrives at the beach house, intensifying tensions. Elle, who once suspected Noah of cheating with Chloe, finds herself involved in a heated argument with them after Chloe makes a light-hearted remark about Elle’s gaming skills. Adding further drama, Elle encounters Marco Peña (Taylor Zakhar Perez) at the beach, which sparks jealousy in Noah, leading to dialogue about double standards in their relationships.

Their rivalry escalates at the go-kart track when Elle asks Noah to dress up as Wario, but he refuses, allowing Marco to step in instead. After Noah’s unexpected defeat by Marco, tensions run high, resulting in him confronting Elle about Marco’s lingering feelings for her. Encouraged by Chloe, Noah reconciles with Elle, but Marco is relentless, showing up at their Fourth of July party, escalating their feud as he physically confronts Noah, who opts not to retaliate.

Elle’s emotional turmoil deepens when Lee appears to move on, forming a close friendship with a guy named Ashton, who has just completed his first year at Berkeley. Feeling displaced, Elle grapples with the concept of friendship and loyalty to Lee. Marco confesses his feelings for Elle, but she is not interested, drawing her focus back to Noah. Complicating matters further, Elle is challenged by her father’s new girlfriend, Linda, who she learns was friends with her late mother. Eventually, Elle accepts Linda, as her father explains that he has devoted years to Elle and her brother Brad, now it’s time for him to pursue happiness.

As she wrestles with her decisions about college, Noah reveals his concern that she may be choosing Harvard purely for him; he ultimately breaks things off so Elle can focus on what she truly wants. This heartbreak leads to a missed opportunity to complete one of their bucket list activities, Dance Dance Revolution, resulting in a clash with Lee, where both express their frustrations. Lee accuses Elle of prioritizing Noah over their friendship, while Elle argues that she has been trying to appease everyone.

Later, comforted by Noah and Lee’s mother, Elle is advised to reflect on her true desires and make a college choice accordingly. Meanwhile, the parents decide against selling the cherished beach house, realizing its importance in their children’s lives. With Rachel witnessing Elle and Noah’s struggles, she decides to end her relationship with Lee, yet they both hope for reconciliation in the future. Marco makes amends with Elle as well, establishing an amicable parting before Elle realizes that focusing on her happiness is essential.

She boldly applies to the University of Southern California for Game Design, where after impressing the admissions team with her concept for a fantasy esports league, she is accepted. Excited, she shares the news with Lee, who is thrilled for her.

Fast forward six years, Elle is now forging her path as a game developer, having maintained her deep friendship with Lee, who has rekindled his romance with Rachel. In a pivotal moment, Elle encounters Noah, who shares his upcoming job offers in Los Angeles and New York. While immediate decisions must be made, he suggests a motorcycle ride when he’s back in town. Their parting moment implies a lingering affection as they look back at each other, hinting they have never really moved on from their love.

The film concludes with a vibrant scene of Elle and Noah riding down the California coastline on their motorcycles, filled with laughter and joy, symbolizing Noah’s choice of the LA office and their choice to rekindle their romance, now that they have both matured.

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 18:16

Ending Explained – What Happens at the End of The Kissing Booth 3?

Still wondering what the ending of The Kissing Booth 3 (2021) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.

In the end, Elle makes a choice that reflects her journey of self-discovery. After a lot of emotional turmoil, she decides not to follow the path that others expect of her. Instead of choosing Harvard to be close to Noah or Berkeley to stay with Lee, she opts for USC, pursuing her passion for video game design — a quiet victory for her independence and interests. This decision shows her growth, as she recognizes the importance of following her own dreams rather than living for others.

After a heartbreaking breakup with Noah, who reveals he knew she had chosen Harvard to stay near him but ultimately wanted her to pursue her own happiness, Elle begins to rebuild her life. She stays connected with Lee and her friends, embracing her passions and moving forward. The film ends with a heartfelt reunion six years later at a school event, where Elle is working at a small video game company and Noah, now a lawyer, arrives in a suit. They share a meaningful glance, with Noah looking back at Elle one last time before leaving—an indication that their story might not be over. The final scene leaves viewers with a sense of hope, hinting that despite their differences and separate paths, Elle and Noah’s connection might still have a chance to rekindle someday, emphasizing that true love can endure even after difficult choices and heartbreak.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:58

Unlock the Full Story of The Kissing Booth 3

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Kissing Booth 3 in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Kissing Booth 3 is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Kissing Booth 3 Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Kissing Booth 3 with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Kissing Booth 3 Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Kissing Booth 3

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Kissing Booth 3. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Kissing Booth 3

The Kissing Booth 3 Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of The Kissing Booth 3? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

The Kissing Booth 3 Ending Explained

More About The Kissing Booth 3

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Kissing Booth 3: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Kissing Booth 3

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