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I love going to the movies. Sometimes with friends, sometimes on a solo date that feels quietly indulgent—especially when it’s a slow Sunday afternoon, and the theater is nearly empty. At home, I’m just as happy curled up on the couch, letting a movie stretch lazily across an evening (or, let’s be honest, a long winter afternoon). Films have always been a way I mark time—something comforting to return to, no matter the season.
But during the holidays, movies hit differently. Maybe it’s the mix of nostalgia and anticipation in the air, or the way winter naturally invites us inward. We’re reflecting on what’s passed while quietly imagining what’s ahead. And on New Year’s Eve especially, a good movie becomes more than entertainment—it becomes part of the ritual. Something to anchor the night, soften the edges of the year, or make the transition into the next one feel intentional.
The Best New Year’s Eve Movies to Watch This Holiday Season
When coziness is at an all-time high, and the calendar is begging for a fresh start, there’s nothing I love more than working my way through a bucket list of the best New Year’s Eve movies—sometimes solo, sometimes with people I love, but always with the intention of closing the year on a note that feels just right.
What Makes a Great New Year’s Eve Movie?
Not every movie works on New Year’s Eve, and that’s part of the magic. The best New Year’s Eve movies tend to share a few qualities that make them especially satisfying as the year comes to a close.
A sense of reflection. Whether it’s a character looking back on their choices or simply the quiet space a film creates, great NYE movies leave room to pause and take stock—without feeling heavy.
Hope, without pressure. These films don’t demand reinvention or overnight transformation. Instead, they offer gentle optimism—reminding us that fresh starts can be subtle, personal, and imperfect.
Emotional warmth. Romantic, nostalgic, or comforting, the best picks make you feel something. They’re the kind of movies that linger after the credits roll.
Flexible energy. Some are perfect before midnight, when anticipation is building. Others are ideal after the countdown, when the confetti has settled, and all you want is something soothing to ease you into the year ahead.
With that in mind, ahead you’ll find our edit of the best New Year’s Eve movies—from timeless classics to cozy, feel-good favorites you’ll want to return to year after year.
Classic New Year’s Eve Movies
These are the films that build anticipation—romantic, reflective, and just celebratory enough to pair with a glass of something bubbly as the countdown approaches.
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Witty, warm, and endlessly rewatchable, this is the New Year’s Eve movie for romantics. Its iconic midnight scene captures the hope—and vulnerability—of finally choosing what (or who) matters.
Available on: YouTube
The Apartment (1960)
Set against a wintry New York City, this classic balances melancholy and optimism beautifully. A reminder that fresh starts don’t have to be loud to be meaningful.
Available on: Amazon Prime
An Affair to Remember (1957)
Old-Hollywood romance at its most elegant. Best enjoyed when you’re leaning into nostalgia and letting the night unfold slowly.
Available on: Apple TV
Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
Tender and quietly hopeful, this film feels like a love letter to timing and possibility—perfect for the hours leading up to midnight.
Available on: Hulu
New Year’s Eve (2011)
An ensemble cast, intersecting storylines, and pure holiday sparkle. This one’s festive and light, ideal when you want the night to feel celebratory without emotional heaviness.
Available on: Hulu
Feel-Good Picks to End the Year
Think: early-in-the-evening coziness. Comforting, familiar, and emotionally grounding—these are the movies that help you exhale after a long year.
Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
A New Year’s classic for a reason. Bridget’s imperfect resolutions feel refreshingly honest—and deeply relatable—year after year.
Available on: Paramount+
Julie & Julia (2009)
A cozy meditation on creativity, ritual, and finding joy in small commitments. This one pairs perfectly with a quiet night in and something homemade.
Available on: Hulu
Little Women (2019)
While not explicitly a New Year’s Eve film, its themes of growth, longing, and becoming make it a natural fit for year-end reflection.
Available on: Apple TV
You’ve Got Mail (1998)
Gentle, charming, and full of warmth—this is comfort viewing at its best, especially on a cold winter night.
Available on: YouTube
About Time (2013)
A romantic film with emotional depth, this one lingers. It’s a beautiful reminder to live attentively and appreciate the ordinary moments that shape a life.
Available on: Amazon Prime
Romantic New Year’s Movies
These films lean into connection, longing, and love—perfect for ending the year with your heart a little more open.
Carol (2015)
Quiet, atmospheric, and deeply romantic, Carol feels intimate and introspective. It’s best watched when you want something slow and emotionally resonant.
Available on: HBO Max
Before Sunrise (1995)
A conversation-driven love story that feels timeless. Ideal for anyone who loves movies that unfold gently and linger long after.
Available on: Apple TV
Love Actually (2003)
Messy, sentimental, and undeniably cozy. This one captures the emotional chaos of the season in a way that feels comforting rather than overwhelming.
Available on: Amazon Prime
The Holiday (2006)
A cozy favorite that still feels like a warm hug. While more Christmas-adjacent, its themes of starting over make it perfect for New Year’s viewing.
Available on: Apple TV
What to Watch After Midnight
When the countdown is over and the energy settles, these films offer calm, introspection, and a sense of quiet possibility.
Lost in Translation (2003)
Dreamy and reflective, this film feels especially right after midnight—when the world is quiet and the year feels wide open.
Available on: Amazon Prime
Midnight in Paris (2011)
Whimsical and gently philosophical, it reminds us that while nostalgia is tempting, life happens in the present moment.
Available on: Amazon Prime
Frances Ha (2012)
A love letter to becoming. This one resonates deeply if you’re entering the new year with curiosity rather than certainty.
Available on: Netflix
Blue Valentine (2010)
Raw and emotionally honest, this is best saved for a quieter, more contemplative moment—when you’re ready for depth.
Available on: Apple TV
Cozy, Late-Night Comfort Watches
These films are ideal when you’re wrapped in blankets, the night stretching ahead with nowhere to be.
While You Were Sleeping (1995)
Soft, romantic, and snowy—this one feels like comfort food in movie form.
Available on: Disney+
The Proposal (2009)
Light, funny, and easy to watch when you want something cheerful without thinking too hard.
Available on: Hulu
Set It Up (2018)
Modern, playful, and charming—a great pick if you want a romantic New Year’s movie that still feels current.
Available on: Netflix
Serendipity (2001)
A film about fate and timing that feels especially poignant as one year turns into the next.
Available on: Paramount+
Quiet Solo Watches
Perfect for a solo New Year’s Eve or a slow New Year’s Day afternoon.
Call Me By Your Name (2017)
A deeply sensory, reflective film about love and memory—best watched when you’re in a contemplative mood.
Available on: HBO Max
A Single Man (2009)
Visually stunning and emotionally restrained, this film explores grief, presence, and the quiet hope of connection.
Available on: YouTube
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
A fitting end to the list—and the year. A reminder that love, memory, and growth are rarely linear, but always worth revisiting.
Available on: Apple TV
