Ring In 2025 With 12 Essential New Year’s Eve Movies

As a cinephile with a penchant for films that delve deep into the human condition, I find these selections both fascinating and thought-provoking. From the timeless tale of Rocky to the dystopian horror of The Substance, each film offers a unique perspective on the New Year’s experience.

The festive spirit of the holiday season persists even after Santa Claus departs, but in contrast to Christmas, there aren’t many films dedicated to New Year’s Eve. This is understandable because Christmas has the richness of St. Nicholas’ folklore, its religious foundations, and a dominance over wintertime joy and merriment. New Year’s Eve, on the other hand, is often associated with a bit of champagne, a ball drop, and people counting down to midnight. There isn’t as much history or tradition to base a movie around New Year’s Eve. (Thankfully, Baby New Year hasn’t been overexploited as intellectual property yet.) Moreover, by the end of December, people are usually tired of the holiday season, making New Year’s Eve feel more like an epilogue to Christmas.

It’s unfortunate that New Year’s Eve offers such rich opportunities for storytelling in films. After all, it symbolizes both endings and new beginnings. It represents the act of moving on from the past, whether good or bad, capturing the bittersweet joy of “Auld Lang Syne.” Moreover, it’s a time when we collectively celebrate, yet each person’s interpretation is uniquely personal. As we countdown to the New Year, we all share the anticipation and the inevitable hangover on January 1st. However, the significance of this moment varies for each individual, and the most effective New Year’s movies explore these turning points in distinctive ways.

Here are a baker’s dozen movies (with an added bonus for New Year’s Day viewing) that effectively utilize New Year’s Eve as a plot device. Unlike traditional Christmas movies that stretch six more days into the storyline, all these films feature significant scenes on New Year’s Day and emphasize the holiday in some way within their narratives. While The Godfather Part II includes a renowned New Year’s Eve party scene, it doesn’t make the list because it’s not a standalone film. (Spending New Year’s Eve any other way is simply unthinkable, especially when both Godfathers are involved.) The 2011 movie New Year’s Eve doesn’t appear here because, frankly, it’s too straightforward. As for the pilot episode of Futurama, it’s left out because it’s a television series, not a film.

With that said, let’s get to the list in 10 … 9 … 8 …

The Apartment (1960)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=OcslkrBMLGc

As a cinema enthusiast, my New Year’s resolution this year was inspired by the character C.C. “Bud” Baxter from the classic film “The Apartment.” This movie, penned by the legendary Billy Wilder, is a delightful yet profound journey about a humble employee in a Manhattan insurance company.

Il Posto (1961)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=KcXdC8RB3uc

This 1960’s Italian comedy-drama, with its quiet and reserved tone, reaches its climax at a corporate New Year’s Eve party. However, it’s not the traditional countdowns that carry significance here. Instead, we follow Domenico, a young man facing family pressure to join the workforce and secure his future. He applies for a job at a large, somewhat impersonal city corporation, and we see how this job gradually takes away his youthful freedom. When he develops a connection with a young woman in a similar predicament who is also applying at the same company, they return late from a coffee break. It’s only later that we understand those stolen moments of carefree leisure before work begins are subtly more valuable than the symbolic passing of the new year. Essentially, Il Posto serves as a bittersweet reminder that time is always ticking away.

The Poseidon Adventure (1972)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=bidQ-RTxAIY

Among the most remarkable disaster movies of the 1970s, The Poseidon Adventure is set within the stricken SS Poseidon, a luxury cruise liner that capsizes following an unexpected rogue wave on New Year’s Eve. A small group of passengers, headed by Gene Hackman portraying a unique minister with a cool demeanor, opt to take control of their destiny as they struggle to ascend the overturned vessel in search of an exit through the now-upper hull. This thrilling — and surprisingly intense given its 70’s aesthetic — odyssey could be an appropriate conclusion to a challenging year. As declared by The Poseidon Adventure‘s Academy Award-winning Best Original Song, “There must be a day after tomorrow / If we can endure the night.” It offers a hopeful New Year’s sentiment; unfortunately, “Morning After” may well be one of the weakest songs to ever win an Oscar.

The Irony of Fate, Or Enjoy Your Bath! (1976)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=luHarTc90QA

It is undeniably true that there is a widely accepted New Year’s Eve film, one that people watch every year without fail; this particular movie gained popularity in the former Soviet Union rather than the West. The movie, titled “The Irony of Fate, Or Enjoy Your Bath!”, initially aired as a Soviet TV movie during the winter of 1976 and quickly became a nationwide phenomenon, with viewers clamoring for repeated airings. The story revolves around a Moscow man who, after getting drunk with friends, finds himself on a plane to Leningrad instead. Upon waking from his drunken stupor, he realizes he’s entered the wrong apartment on an identical street due to the uniform Soviet architecture and urban planning. He encounters the apartment’s female occupant, and despite their initial friction, they end up celebrating New Year’s together. “The Irony of Fate” might resemble a TV movie in appearance (although it is quite well-made), and its three-hour run time can seem long (its success may be as much due to the scarcity of quality Soviet entertainment as the film’s merit). However, it remains incredibly endearing, making it easy to comprehend why “The Irony of Fate” has become an annual tradition akin to watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” in the United States.

Ghostbusters II (1989)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=7Z3wfg1I6_U

The movie Ghostbusters II was criticized as a overly sentimental and slimey sequel to the original horror-comedy, but one might argue that there’s nothing inherently wrong with promoting optimism. In this sequel, the Ghostbusters confront Vigo the Carpathian, a spirit radiating deep negativity, and ultimately end up in a jubilant citywide celebration where an animated Statue of Liberty leaps into action to save the day. The song “Auld Lang Syne” plays a crucial role in this movie’s resolution, symbolizing that even in reality, a New Year’s Eve party, no matter how lively, may not be enough to overcome your personal struggles. However, witnessing such unbridled positivity can still provide comfort and hope.

When Harry Met Sally … (1989)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=ovkiChacfc8

In “When Harry Met Sally…”, it’s a 12-year journey for the main characters, Harry and Sally, to fall in love. The heart of this classic romantic comedy lies not just in the climactic New Year’s Eve scenes, but in the way it unfolds their friendship over time. Initially, they dislike each other, but after several encounters spread across years, they develop a genuine friendship that blossoms into something deeper. Sally points out that “Auld Lang Syne” is about old acquaintances, and perhaps New Year’s Eve can symbolize rediscovering the new in what’s always been there – just be cautious not to set your expectations too high for a New Year’s party based on this movie.

The Hudsucker Proxy (1994)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=dBa8p0NFwM8

Initially, a major financial flop produced by the Coen brothers found a sort of redemption, becoming one of their most cherished cult films. This seems fitting as the film’s New Year’s Eve climax revolves around second chances. In “The Hudsucker Proxy”, Tim Robbins portrays an ordinary employee in a large New York corporation who is unexpectedly promoted to CEO by a manipulative board member (Paul Newman) during a scheme to lower the company’s stock price following the previous CEO’s suicide. However, his meteoric rise through 44 floors of Hudsucker Tower (including the mezzanine), brings Norville Barnes close to losing himself. “The Hudsucker Proxy” is a humorous, quirky comedy that carries profound messages about the end of the year – a time for self-reflection and looking ahead. Compared to other Coen Brothers’ movies, it’s relatively suitable for a wider audience!

Strange Days (1995)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=_DnLmuCcKRk

The intriguing science fiction thriller “Strange Days,” directed by Kathryn Bigelow from a screenplay by James Cameron, is notably absent from all streaming platforms and unavailable for digital rental. For one day of the year, if you can somehow locate this elusive movie, you’ll be rewarded with a distinctively prophetic narrative set at the dawn of the new millennium. Ralph Fiennes portrays a dealer in SQUIDS – gadgets that access a wearer’s cerebral cortex and record their experiences, allowing others to re-experience them. When he and his best friend/unrequited love (Angela Bassett) uncover a criminal plot from a SQUID recording, it triggers a desperate quest to expose the hidden truth as the year comes to an end in a troubled 1999 that bears striking resemblance to our reality. Packed with thought-provoking themes such as technology, privacy invasion, and police brutality, along with some of Bigelow’s most intense action sequences, “Strange Days” offers a compelling New Year’s viewing experience, combining its entertaining sci-fi noir elements with a sobering (yet not hopeless!) reflection on how much has remained unchanged.

200 Cigarettes (1999)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=TaffAlnyOWQ

Similar to “Strange Days”, it’s incredibly frustrating that this film, which one would expect to be hailed as a classic given its quality, seems almost impossible to find. My local public library fortunately has “200 Cigarettes” on DVD, but the scarcity of “Strange Days” is puzzling considering its cast. The ensemble comedy “200 Cigarettes”, featuring stars like Paul Rudd, Ben and Casey Affleck, Kate Hudson, Christina Ricci, Dave Chappelle, Janeane Garofalo, Gaby Hoffman, Jay Mohr, and Courtney Love, is surprisingly obscure. Set in the East Village on New Year’s Eve 1981, it doesn’t have a profound message but encourages you to embrace the unexpected twists life can bring. It’s enjoyable watching these characters navigate their chaotic lives (especially if wild New Year’s Eve parties aren’t part of your past).

Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=xjlKnDWZYzc

The movie “Bridget Jones’s Diary” narrates Renée Zellweger’s character Bridget for a year filled with personal growth. Set in London, the story unfolds as Bridget attempts to rejuvenate her life after an eye-opening event at her parents’ New Year’s party. The romantic comedy stands out due to its realistic portrayal of Bridget’s journey rather than focusing heavily on her New Year’s resolutions documented in her iconic diary. Throughout the story, Bridget makes mistakes, changes course, and even humiliates herself around Colin Firth and Hugh Grant. However, what truly matters is that she’s striving for improvement, which serves as a reminder for us all heading into the New Year. Remember that writing resolutions is simple, but sticking to them for 365 days is an imperfect process.

Phantom Thread (2017)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=eWa4gflt-_s

Generally, New Year’s Eve is seen as a time for fresh starts and improvements. “Next year will be better.” “I’ll change next year.” However, in Paul Thomas Anderson’s twisted romance film, “Phantom Thread,” a grand London ’50s New Year’s party is used to show the opposite. This is when it becomes evident that the main characters, fashion designer Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) and his muse, Alma (Vicky Krieps), are not making any resolutions. Instead, they are entrenching themselves deeper into their now obviously harmful relationship. “Phantom Thread” is a masterful film and serves as a warning about the pitfalls of New Year’s celebrations. Despite this, the party looks like it would be quite enjoyable.

The Substance (2024)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=LNlrGhBpYjc

The film titled “The Substance” explores an unusual scenario: “New Year, new you” takes on a literal meaning for a 50-year-old TV aerobics instructor, Demi Moore, who, after being fired, resorts to black-market drugs in a desperate bid to retain her youth. Upon injecting the drug, she transforms into Margaret Qualley, a younger version of herself. However, this new and old bodies don’t coexist harmoniously. This dark comedy, described as hilarious, revolting, thought-provoking, or empty by different viewers, culminates in a grisly climax during a New Year’s special that surpasses the infamous gore of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. If there’s one lesson to carry from “The Substance” into the New Year, it would be to embrace the natural progression of time and perhaps exercise caution when dealing with unconventional substances.

Bonus: Rocky (1976)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=-Hk-LYcavrw

In the climactic battle of Sylvester Stallone’s timeless boxing epic, the fight occurs on New Year’s Day. This technically places it outside the realm of New Year’s Eve movie tradition. However, as countless individuals struggle with post-celebration hangovers and ponder the sincerity of their New Year’s resolutions to improve fitness, it seems fitting to acknowledge Rocky. Trust me, running a 5K won’t be nearly as painful as enduring 15 rounds against Apollo Creed. Here’s wishing you a Happy New Year! Remember, it’s time to conquer those steps.

2024-12-23 23:54