37 Greatest New Year's Movies to Start the Year Off Right
Ring in the New Year with your favorite movies and a movie marathon!
Want to get into the New Year's spirit this December 31st, but don't want to leave the comfort of your own couch (let alone change out of those insanely comfy PJs you got for Christmas)? Then consider starting a new family tradition this year and ring in the new year with an epic movie marathon that showcases all the best New Year's Eve moments film has to offer.
We've covered every genre and taste on our list to make it a cinch when trying to decide with a picky bunch. Going for a classic film marathon? Then don't miss the epic bar party in Charlie Chaplin's The Gold Rush, or An Affair to Remember, and the 1960 version of Ocean's 11 featuring the Rat Pack. But if a more modern take is what you're after then you can't go wrong with Greta Gerwig's Ladybird, the star-studded New Year's Eve, and the best New Year's speech ever made on When Harry Met Sally. (We've also got Ghostbusters II, Rosemary's Baby, The Poseidon Adventure, and the Godfather Part II if you're craving something darker and more intense.)
Whatever you choose, kick up your feet and get cozy. Gather up your favorite movie snacks, a special cocktail, and leftover Christmas cookies and settle in for a long night of cinema gold. Challenge for the evening: not falling asleep before it turns midnight!
Sleepless in Seattle
Tom Hanks plays a widower who—in one heartbreaking scene— dreams of talking to his late wife on New Year's Eve. Don't worry: He finds love again with Meg Ryan.
While You Were Sleeping
The plot of this sweet Sandra Bullock rom-com kicks off on Christmas Day, but reaches its peak on New Year's Eve
When Harry Met Sally
We dare you not to cry as two unlikely friends (played by Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan) fall in love. The whole thing culminates in an emotional moment at a New Year's Eve party.
Rent
Much of Rent take place between Christmas and New Year's, but more importantly, the musical is a great film to watch either to end or start the year. It's a good opportunity for reflection in the way the characters "remember a year in the life of friends," as one might say.
New Year's Eve
Taking cues from Love Actually, this cute flick features interconnected arcs about love—a perfectly pleasant (and aptly titled) picture about New Year's.
Waiting to Exhale
This movie features an awesome cast, including Whitney Houston and Angela Basset. It starts and ends on New Year's and follows the four women over the course of the year, so it's a perfect way to either end 2022 or start 2023.
Lady Bird
Ring in 2003 with Lady Bird and her family in Greta Gerwig’s award winning coming of age comedy about a girl in her senior year of high school, eager to shake off the trappings of her west coast town for the sophisticated life she dreams of in New York City. A movie about mother-daughter relationships, friendship, first love, and that time in your life when everything is ahead of you.
About Time
The Richard Curtis drama is bound to make you feel all the emotions and features a truly romantic New Year's Eve kiss.
Forrest Gump
While only one scene takes place on New Year's (and it's stressful to say the least), we still think starting off your new year by watching one of the greatest movies ever is not a bad idea.
Phantom Thread
Although most of the movie doesn't take place on New Year's, there is an extravagant New Year's Eve party that will dreamily transport you to London in the 1950s.
Carol
Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara star in this film that follows two women from completely different worlds who fall in love in a life-changing affair. The first time they kiss happens at a New Year's Eve party, because there's no better time for a first kiss, really.
Two Lovers
This emotional film follows Joaquin Phoenix's Leonard after he meets two women and must make an difficult decision. The dramatic final scene takes place on New Year's Eve, because why wouldn't it?
Four Rooms
It's Tim the Bellhop's first night on the job and it just so happens to be New Year's Eve. The star-studded cast gets into all sorts of ridiculous trouble in this anthology comedy that takes place in—you guessed it—four rooms.
Are We There Yet?
On New Year's Eve, Nick (Ice Cube) must drive his girlfriend's reluctant children from Portland to Vancouver as they try to sabotage him every step of the way.
High School Musical
Even though it's only one scene in the movie, the New Year's Eve duet that kicks everything off will have you singing along (admit it!).
The Holiday
It's hard to find a rom-com that's sweeter and more beautifully shot than Nancy Meyers's The Holiday, starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet as two women who unexpectedly find love where they least expect it. The New Year's Eve scene is small and at the end of the film, but it's definitely one of the best parts.
Someone Like You
After being dumped and continually disappointed by her boyfriend (including a sad New Year's Eve moment), Jane Goodale (Ashley Judd) takes matters into her own hands.
Under the Tuscan Sun
Okay, we're fully aware that this movie doesn't have any New Year's scenes, but it is all about new beginnings and reinvention, which could be a nice kick-start to your resolutions. And if you live in a cold area, 113 minutes of unbelievable Tuscan scenery is just what you need.
Rosemary's Baby
Hey, not all New Year's movies need to be lighthearted. If you're in the mood for a horror film instead, Rosemary's Baby has a small—but poignant—scene set during an ominous New Year's Eve party.
About a Boy
The meet-cute in this Hugh Grant movie takes place on New Year's Eve.
Leah Hall is currently a digital producer and writer for Country Living. She is based in Huntsville, Alabama.
Taysha Murtaugh is the Lifestyle Editor at CountryLiving.com and WomansDay.com. She's always on the lookout for beautiful things and loves baking, entertaining, and watching "Gilmore Girls" on repeat.
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