Buzz
For countless individuals, New Year’s Eve marks not only the peak of the holiday season but also a moment to both reminisce and anticipate the future—often with a mix of hope and, more recently, overwhelming anxiety.
Films have long captured the dual essence of hope and risk that defines this time of year. It’s a phase for introspection, transformation, or even radical shifts. Our handpicked collection of New Year’s Eve movies showcases this spectrum, featuring tales of love and crime, humor and sorrow, passion and solitude.
The Substance (2024)
New Year’s resolutions often revolve around pledges to improve our physical health, though these promises usually boil down to a desire to appear younger, slimmer, or more attractive. In this provocative arthouse horror film, Demi Moore portrays Elisabeth Sparkle, a middle-aged fitness star dismissed from her aerobics program due to her age. She discovers the titular Substance, a mysterious solution that enables her to create a younger, conscious version of herself. The film serves as a stark cautionary tale about the dangers of our obsession with youth, culminating in a disastrous New Year’s Eve broadcast. You can stream The Substance on Mubi or rent it from Prime Video.
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
This iconic collaboration between Rob Reiner and Nora Ephron traces the evolving relationship between Billy Crystal’s Harry and Meg Ryan’s Sally over 11 tumultuous years. Two pivotal New Year’s Eve scenes bookend their journey: the first features a midnight kiss that hints at a budding romance, while the second, at the film’s climax, sees the pair reuniting after years of personal growth, symbolizing their emotional and physical alignment. You can stream When Harry Met Sally on Pluto TV or rent it from Prime Video.
The Gold Rush (1925)
One of the most iconic moments in early American cinema unfolds on New Year’s Eve in Charlie Chaplin’s classic. His Prospector character invites Georgia (Georgia Hale), a dance hall girl, to a New Year’s Eve dinner after she dances with him to spite another suitor. While she enjoys a lively party, he spends the evening alone in his cabin, imagining companionship and even performing a whimsical dance with potatoes. Fortunately, Georgia eventually realizes the Prospector’s worth. You can stream The Gold Rush on Max, Tubi, The Criterion Channel, Prime Video, and Freevee.
Phantom Thread (2017)
A pivotal yet brief New Year’s Eve scene in Paul Thomas Anderson’s film marks a turning point. Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis), a celebrated dressmaker, is in a relationship with Alma Elson (Vicky Krieps), which threatens to disrupt his meticulously ordered life. When Alma asks him to attend a NYE party and he refuses, she goes alone. Reynolds follows her, nearly pulling her away, revealing the tension between them. This moment underscores that their relationship’s survival hinges on significant transformation—a theme that resonates with the spirit of New Year’s Eve. You can stream Phantom Thread on Netflix or rent it from Prime Video.
The Godfather Part II (1974)
The film’s climax, a defining moment in Michael Corleone’s life, unfolds during a New Year’s Eve celebration in Cuba. Michael (Al Pacino) discovers his brother Fredo’s (John Cazale) betrayal, leading to a chilling kiss that subverts the traditional midnight embrace. This act seals a grim fate for both brothers, ensuring their year ahead will be anything but joyous. You can stream The Godfather Part II on Paramount+ or rent it from Prime Video.
Rocky (1976)
For a dose of New Year’s motivation, look no further than this film brimming with seasonal significance. Rocky Balboa, a struggling boxer, gets a shot at glory when heavyweight champion Apollo Creed (the legendary Carl Weathers) seeks an opponent for a high-profile match. Determined to seize the opportunity, Rocky teams up with a gritty trainer and finds love with an equally resilient woman, all while preparing for the New Year’s Day fight. Though the outcome isn’t a complete victory, Rocky teaches us that losing can still be a win, inspiring us to rise and fight another day (as seen in countless sequels and spin-offs). You can rent Rocky from Prime Video.
Ghostbusters II (1989)
While it may not match the original, this sequel delivers plenty of entertainment. The story builds to a thrilling New Year’s Eve finale, as Vigo the Carpathian’s sinister plans unfold. New York City’s salvation comes through a combination of emotionally charged slime and a heartfelt performance of "Auld Lang Syne." You can rent Ghostbusters II from Prime Video.
Waiting to Exhale (1995)
Adapted from Terry McMillan’s novel, this celebration of female friendship features an iconic cast including Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine, and Lela Rochon. On New Year’s Eve, Bernadine (Bassett) experiences a life-changing epiphany, leading to an unforgettable act of revenge. You can stream Waiting to Exhale on Hulu or rent it from Prime Video.
The Apartment (1960)
Billy Wilder’s Best Picture-winning film, set between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, broke new ground in its candid portrayal of sexuality. Jack Lemmon stars as Bud Baxter, an insurance clerk who advances his career by lending his apartment to executives for their affairs. Amid this arrangement, Bud develops a complicated bond with Fran (Shirley MacLaine), an elevator operator entangled in a joyless relationship with Bud’s boss (Fred MacMurray). A bleak New Year’s Eve gathering leads to a glimmer of hope as Fran realizes that love might be worth risking everything for. You can stream The Apartment on Tubi, Freevee, and Prime Video.
Il Posto (1961)
This poignant Italian satire, Il Posto, follows Domenico (Sandro Panseri), a young man pushed by his family into a monotonous corporate job. At work, he meets Antonietta (Loredana Detto), a kindred spirit, and they share fleeting moments of connection at an office New Year’s party. The film doesn’t promise an escape from the drudgery of capitalism but underscores the importance of human connection over meaningless labor. You can stream Il Posto on The Criterion Channel.
Snowpiercer (2013)
Bong Joon-ho’s dystopian vision in Snowpiercer is set in 2031, where humanity’s remnants survive aboard a massive train traversing a frozen, uninhabitable Earth. The annual celebration occurs when the train completes its global circuit. During one such New Year’s event, the downtrodden passengers at the train’s rear seize the moment to rebel against the privileged elite at the front. It’s a bold New Year’s resolution, to say the least. You can stream Snowpiercer on Tubi or rent it from Prime Video.
The Poseidon Adventure (1972)
A standout from the golden era of disaster films, The Poseidon Adventure features an ensemble cast including Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, Shelley Winters, and Red Buttons. The story unfolds as their cruise ship is overturned by an undersea earthquake moments after the New Year’s Eve celebration begins. The survivors spend New Year’s Day fighting their way to safety, offering a fitting metaphor for overcoming life’s upheavals. You can rent The Poseidon Adventure from Prime Video.
Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
In Nora Ephron’s romantic classic, New Year’s Eve symbolizes the past, as Sam (Tom Hanks) shares a poignant, imagined conversation with his late wife during the holiday. The future, however, is marked by Valentine’s Day, as Sam and Annie (Meg Ryan) are drawn together for a fateful meeting atop the Empire State Building. You can rent Sleepless in Seattle from Prime Video.
After the Thin Man (1936)
The effortless charm and witty banter between William Powell and Myrna Loy shine in this first sequel to The Thin Man. Nick and Nora Charles anticipate a quiet New Year’s Eve but are soon embroiled in a kidnapping and murder case, featuring Jimmy Stewart in his breakout role. While the previous film is set during Christmas, this one offers a thrilling start to the new year. You can rent After the Thin Man from Prime Video.
Holiday (1938)
Why settle for one classic duo when you can enjoy both William Powell and Myrna Loy in After the Thin Man and Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant in Holiday? In the latter, Grant plays Johnny Case, a self-made man who dreams of taking a break to enjoy life, even as he plans to marry Julia. However, it’s her spirited sister Linda (Hepburn) who captures his heart. A series of New Year’s Eve antics brings them closer, but George Cukor’s film ensures their journey to self-discovery and love is anything but straightforward. You can stream Holiday on Prime Video.
New Year's Evil (1980)
While it may not rank among the top slasher films, New Year's Evil offers a delightfully campy premise. A killer phones into a New Year’s Eve radio show, vowing to commit murders as midnight strikes in each U.S. time zone. Though it might not hold up under scrutiny, it’s an ideal pick for a late-night, post-celebration watch. Plus, it boasts a memorable title track. You can stream New Year's Evil on MGM+ and Pluto TV.
Midnight Kiss (2019)
Originally part of Hulu’s Into the Dark series, Midnight Kiss follows a group of gay friends and their straight female companion as they gather in the desert for their annual New Year’s Eve tradition: finding a random midnight kiss. Tensions rise as past grievances resurface, exacerbated by the presence of a serial killer. Not everyone survives to see the new year. You can stream Midnight Kiss on Hulu.
Sunset Boulevard (1950)
Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson), a faded movie star, reaches peak delusion during her extravagant, two-person New Year’s Eve party with Joe (William Holden), whose fate we already know. This scene underscores her descent into madness, though Swanson, only 50 at the time, brings a tragic vulnerability to the role. You can stream Sunset Boulevard on Paramount+ or rent it from Prime Video.
Repeat Performance (1947)
What if the new year offered not a fresh start, but a chance to revisit the past and fix your mistakes? In this noir tale, Sheila Page (Joan Leslie) finds herself standing over her husband’s corpse on New Year’s Eve 1946, wishing for a do-over. Miraculously, she’s transported back to the start of the year, determined to save her marriage with the help of her gay best friend (Richard Basehart). You can stream Repeat Performance on Kanopy.
About Time (2013)
This heartwarming time-travel romance features a pivotal New Year’s Eve scene. Tim (Domhnall Gleeson), who can travel through time, uses his ability to perfect a New Year’s kiss with Mary (Rachel McAdams). Their love story unfolds with charming twists and turns, making it a feel-good choice for the holiday season. You can rent About Time from Prime Video.
An American in Paris (1951)
Few New Year’s party themes rival the iconic black-and-white soirée in Gene Kelly’s An American in Paris, a film that clinched the Best Picture Oscar. The meticulously designed celebration is a visual feast. You can rent An American in Paris from Prime Video.
Ocean's 11 (1960)
More a showcase for the Rat Pack’s camaraderie than a cinematic masterpiece, this film thrives on the effortless cool of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and others. Sinatra’s Danny Ocean assembles his Army pals for an ambitious New Year’s Eve heist targeting five Las Vegas casinos: the Sahara, Riviera, Desert Inn, Sands, and Flamingo. You can stream Ocean's 11 on Tubi or rent it from Prime Video.
Happy New Year (2014)
Drawing inspiration from Ocean's Eleven, this Hindi action-comedy stars Shah Rukh Khan as a street-smart fighter plotting a heist to avenge his father’s wrongful imprisonment. The target? Dubai’s luxurious Hotel Atlantis. The twist? His crew must infiltrate a dance competition, despite their lack of rhythm. The result is as entertaining as it sounds. You can stream Happy New Year on Netflix.
High School Musical (2006)
It might be surprising to realize that this beloved Disney Channel movie is now old enough to apply for college. Embrace the early 2000s nostalgia, especially the opening scene where Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez (Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens) meet at a ski lodge on New Year’s Eve and perform the fitting duet, "Start of Something New." You can stream High School Musical on Disney+ or rent it from Prime Video.
Rent (2005)
This film adaptation of the iconic stage musical, featuring much of the original cast, begins on a frosty New Year’s Eve in New York. It poses a timeless question: How do you measure a year? You can stream Rent on Hoopla or rent it from Prime Video.
Are We There Yet? (2005)
Ice Cube leads this family-friendly comedy alongside Nia Long, Jay Mohr, and Tracy Morgan, playing a man determined to win over the woman he likes by transporting her kids to the airport for a New Year’s Eve flight to Vancouver. However, the children make the journey anything but smooth. For those with extra time, the sequel Are We Done Yet? and a spin-off TV series are also available. You can stream Are We There Yet on Hoopla or rent it from Prime Video.
Diner (1982)
Set in 1959, this film follows a group of college friends reuniting for Eddie’s (Steve Guttenberg) New Year’s Eve wedding, prompting deep reflections on adulthood. With a stellar cast including Kevin Bacon, Mickey Rourke, Daniel Stern, and Tim Daly, the movie captures the bittersweet transition to grown-up life. You can rent Diner from Prime Video.
Trading Places (1983)
Beginning at Christmas and culminating in a chaotic New Year’s Eve train ride, Trading Places blends slapstick humor with sharp social commentary. Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd shine in this tale of a heist involving gorillas, disguises, and a critique of corporate greed. You can rent Trading Places from Prime Video.
