Noah vs Lee is the big debate of The Kissing Booth trilogy: Noah Flynn, the brooding older brother Elle falls for, or Lee Flynn, the goofy best friend she grew up with. On looks, loyalty and fun, it comes out as a tie, much like the films, which keep both men in Elle’s life to the end.
Netflix’s The Kissing Booth films, based on Beth Reekles’ novel, follow Elle Evans (Joey King) and her “birth-buddy” Lee (Joel Courtney), who share a rulebook. Elle breaks the rule about relatives being off limits when she starts dating Lee’s older brother Noah (Jacob Elordi). All three films are on Netflix.
The Kissing Booth trilogy: quick facts
| Film | Netflix release |
|---|---|
| The Kissing Booth | 11 May 2018 |
| The Kissing Booth 2 | 24 July 2020 |
| The Kissing Booth 3 | 11 August 2021 |
Director: Vince Marcello. Main cast: Joey King (Elle), Joel Courtney (Lee), Jacob Elordi (Noah), Taylor Zakhar Perez (Marco), Meganne Young (Rachel) and Molly Ringwald (Mrs Flynn).
Noah vs Lee: five rounds
We scored the brothers on five things fans argue about most. A round can go to one brother or end level, with a point each.
Round 1: Looks
Noah is the obvious heartthrob, with the leather jacket, the bike and the moody stare. But Lee is just as good-looking, especially by the second film, when he gets more screen time and more confidence. Score: Noah 1, Lee 1.
Round 2: Personality
Noah has the “bad boy with a golden heart” image. Lee is the funny, goofy friend who is up for any plan, from a dance machine at the arcade to a kissing booth at the school carnival. Viewers have seen plenty of brooding bad boys, so Lee’s warmth wins this one. Score: Noah 1, Lee 2.
Round 3: Fun factor
Lee is the perfect dance partner, and the arcade dance scenes are some of the most rewatched moments in the series. Noah, though, is the guy who takes you on bike rides along the coast and would happily teach you to ride. Lee had the edge on charm in round two, so this one goes to Noah for adventure. Score: Noah 2, Lee 2.
Round 4: Being emotionally open
Lee wears his heart on his sleeve. He is soft, understanding and says what he feels. Noah acts tough but is a softie inside, and he slowly learns to show it. Being honest beats keeping up an image, so Lee takes this round. Score: Noah 2, Lee 3.
Round 5: Loyalty
Noah wants the best for Elle, even when it hurts him. In the third film he breaks up with her because he fears she is choosing Harvard only for him. Lee would go to any length to see Elle happy, even after their fights over her relationship with his brother. Noah’s quiet sacrifice wins it, though. Score: Noah 3, Lee 3.
Final result: a tie, just like Elle’s choice
Three points each. That is fitting, because the trilogy never makes Elle pick one brother over the other in a simple way.
Spoiler for The Kissing Booth 3: Elle turns down both Harvard and Berkeley and goes to the University of Southern California to study game design. Lee gets back together with Rachel, and the two get engaged after college. Elle and Lee stay best friends. In the flash-forward six years later, Elle and Noah meet again and ride off on his motorbike along the California coast. The film leaves their future open, which is why the Noah vs Lee debate never really ends.
Where the Kissing Booth cast is now
Jacob Elordi (Noah)
Elordi has become one of the biggest young stars in Hollywood. After Euphoria, he played Elvis in Priscilla (2023) and Felix in Saltburn (2023). His role as the Creature in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein (2025) earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor and a Critics’ Choice win. In 2026 he played Heathcliff opposite Margot Robbie in Wuthering Heights.
Joel Courtney (Lee)
Courtney, who broke out in J.J. Abrams’ Super 8 (2011), has since starred in Jesus Revolution (2023), Players (2024) and Soul on Fire (2025).
Joey King (Elle)
King played the Prince in Bullet Train (2022) with Brad Pitt, led The Princess (2022), and starred in Netflix’s A Family Affair (2024) and Uglies (2024). Practical Magic 2 is among her upcoming films.
Taylor Zakhar Perez (Marco)
Marco, the third corner of the love triangle in the second film, made Taylor Zakhar Perez a fan favourite. He went on to play Alex, the US president’s son, in Red, White and Royal Blue (2023) on Prime Video.
Why the Noah vs Lee debate still matters
The films were never really about choosing a boyfriend. They were about Elle learning that one person cannot be her whole world, whether that is a boyfriend or a best friend. That is why the ending gives her a career of her own first, and leaves the romance for later.
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Frequently asked questions
Does Elle end up with Noah or Lee?
Lee stays her best friend. Elle and Noah break up in the third film but reconnect in a flash-forward six years later. The ending suggests a reunion but does not confirm it.
Which college does Elle choose in The Kissing Booth 3?
She chooses the University of Southern California to study game design, turning down Harvard and Berkeley.
Will there be a Kissing Booth 4?
No fourth film has been announced. The Kissing Booth 3 (2021) was billed as the final film of the trilogy.
Where can I watch The Kissing Booth in India?
All three Kissing Booth films are Netflix originals and stream on Netflix in India.
Sources: Wikipedia: The Kissing Booth 3, Wikipedia: Jacob Elordi, Wikipedia: Joel Courtney.
