<Tr> <Th> Budget </Th> <Td> $17 million </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Box office </Th> <Td> $57.1 million </Td> </Tr> <P> Love, Simon is a 2018 American romantic comedy - drama film directed by Greg Berlanti, written by Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger, and based on the novel Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli . The film stars Nick Robinson, Josh Duhamel, and Jennifer Garner . It centers on Simon Spier, a closeted gay teenage boy in high school who is forced to balance his friends, his family, and the blackmailer threatening to out him to the entire school, while simultaneously attempting to discover the identity of the anonymous classmate with whom he has fallen in love online . </P> <P> Love, Simon premiered at the Mardi Gras Film Festival on February 27, 2018, and was released in the United States on March 16, 2018, by 20th Century Fox . Critics praised the film for its "big heart, diverse and talented cast, and revolutionary normalcy", describing it as an "instant classic" that is "tender, sweet, and affecting" and a "hugely charming crowd - pleaser" that is "funny, warm - hearted and life - affirming", with many comparing it to the romantic comedy - drama films of John Hughes . It was historically notable as the first film by a major Hollywood studio to focus on a gay teenage romance . </P>

Who wrote the book that love simon is based on