XO, Kitty Season 3: Release Date Confirmed as Netflix Buzz Builds for Kitty’s Senior Year Heartbreak and Closure

Netflix has officially set the stage for more swoons, scandals, and senior-year drama: XO, Kitty Season 3 premieres globally on April 2, 2026. The announcement, dropped on February 11, 2026, via Netflix Tudum and accompanied by first-look photos, has sent fans into a frenzy. As the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before spinoff enters its third installment, Kitty Song Covey (Anna Cathcart) returns to the Korean Independent School of Seoul (KISS) for her final year, armed with a “perfect senior year” plan that promises deeper tensions, genuine heartbreak, and a long-awaited confrontation that could close a major romantic chapter for good. With eight episodes dropping all at once, this season looks poised to deliver the emotional payoff fans have been craving since Season 2’s tour-with-Min-Ho cliffhanger.

The buzz is heating up fast, with social media exploding over the release date reveal. Fans are already theorizing about how the April timing aligns with in-universe milestones, like Kitty’s potential realization of feelings for Min Ho around late March. One viral post noted, “xo kitty season 3 coming out in APRIL 2 when it’s canon that kitty realizes her feelings for minho at the end of march. this is cinema to ME.” The excitement underscores the show’s enduring appeal as a fresh, diverse take on teen romance in a K-drama-inspired setting.

From Spin-Off to Standalone Hit: The Journey to Season 3

XO, Kitty launched in May 2023 as a charming extension of Jenny Han’s beloved universe, following Kitty’s bold move to Seoul for high school at the elite KISS. Created by Han and developed with showrunner Valentina Garza, the series quickly carved its own niche with multicultural storytelling, queer representation, and messy, relatable teen dynamics. Season 1 introduced the love square—Dae (Minyeong Choi), Yuri (Gia Kim), and Min Ho (Sang Heon Lee)—culminating in an iconic airport sequence where past, present, and future loves intersected in classic rom-com fashion.

Season 2, premiering January 16, 2025, built on that momentum, debuting at No. 2 on Netflix’s English TV list with 14.2 million views in its first week and appearing in the Top 10 in 89 countries. It deepened character arcs, explored family ties, and ended on a tantalizing note: Kitty seemingly agreeing to join Min Ho and his family on tour, leaving their relationship status tantalizingly undefined. The renewal came swiftly in February 2025, with filming wrapping in Seoul by July 2025, setting the stage for a spring 2026 return.

Season 3 shifts focus to Kitty’s senior year, where her meticulously planned future collides with real-life complications. Official synopses tease Kitty defining her relationship with Min Ho “for real this time,” alongside family time in Korea, big decisions about college and beyond, and the inevitable growing pains of saying goodbye to KISS. Expect heightened stakes in friendships, potential new rivalries, and the emotional weight of closure as characters navigate love, identity, and independence.

Returning Cast and New Faces: The KISS Crew Evolves

The core ensemble is back, bringing familiar chemistry to new challenges:

Anna Cathcart reprises Kitty Song Covey, the optimistic matchmaker whose heart and schemes drive the story.
Sang Heon Lee as Min Ho Moon, the charming, complex love interest whose dynamic with Kitty takes center stage.
Minyeong Choi as Dae, Kitty’s first love, whose presence adds lingering tension.
Gia Kim as Yuri Han, whose arc continues to explore identity and relationships.
Anthony Keyvan as Q, Kitty’s steadfast best friend.
Regan Aliyah as Juliana, Hojo Shin as Jiwon, Peter Thurnwald as Alex, Joshua Lee as Jin, Sasha Bhasin as Praveena, and others rounding out the recurring cast.

New additions include Sule Thelwell as Marius, Soy Kim as Yisoo, and Christine Hwang as Gigi, injecting fresh energy and potential conflicts into the senior-year mix.

While most fans celebrate the returns, some online discussions note cast changes from earlier seasons, but the main love interests and friends remain intact for this pivotal chapter.

Plot Teases: Deeper Tension, Heartbreak, and That Long-Awaited Confrontation

Season 3 promises to escalate the emotional stakes. Kitty’s “perfect” senior year plan unravels amid real heartbreak, fractured alliances, and a confrontation fans have anticipated across seasons—likely the definitive resolution of her romantic entanglements, particularly with Min Ho. The show’s history of airport scenes as turning points (from Season 1’s chaotic goodbyes to emotional farewells) fuels speculation that Season 3 features a pivotal airport moment to “close a chapter for good,” perhaps a farewell to KISS, a romantic choice, or a bittersweet send-off.

First-look photos show Kitty and friends in classic KISS uniforms, group hangs, and intimate moments hinting at summer vibes transitioning to school-year drama. Behind-the-scenes glimpses reveal a brighter, more mature tone as characters face adulthood. Showrunner Garza and Han emphasize authentic teen experiences, blending humor, cultural nuance, and heartfelt growth.

Fan reactions on X highlight the anticipation: posts celebrate the date reveal, with one declaring “WE’RE SO BACK!” and others hyping Min Ho-Kitty endgame. The April 2 premiere has sparked countdowns and theories, amplifying the buzz for what could be the series’ most poignant season yet.

Cultural Impact: A Rom-Com for the New Generation

XO, Kitty has redefined YA romance on streaming, blending K-pop aesthetics, diverse representation, and queer storylines with universal coming-of-age themes. Its success—reviving interest in Han’s books and inspiring fan edits, playlists, and discussions—proves the power of inclusive storytelling. Season 3’s senior-year focus adds layers of nostalgia and forward momentum, mirroring real teen transitions.

As April 2 approaches, mark your calendars: XO, Kitty Season 3 isn’t just a return—it’s a culmination. With deeper tensions, authentic heartbreak, and a confrontation that promises closure, this chapter could redefine Kitty’s journey and leave fans both satisfied and wistful. In the world of KISS, love is never simple, but it’s always worth the wait.