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The New Year should always be celebrated, even if you're not going out this year. And honestly, sometimes the best way to welcome the new chapter is by staying cozy, grabbing snacks, and hitting play on a good film for the New Year.
But picking movies to watch for New Year's or finding the best movie for New Year's Eve becomes a whole different hustle when you don't know which one to watch. There are just way too many choices out there. That's why we rounded up a list of solid picks, perfect for watching by yourself, with friends, with family, or with your lover (if you have one… no judgment).
In this article
Part 1. Your New Year's Eve Watchlist: Movies That Match Every Mood
Choosing movies to watch for New Year's isn't as easy as it sounds. Some nights you want something soft and emotional, other nights you want loud chaotic laughs, and sometimes you just want a stylish movie that looks good even if you're half scrolling on your phone.
To make things simple, we grouped these films for New Year's Eve based on mood. You can grab whatever feels right for your vibe, your energy, or whatever version of yourself you're bringing into the new year.
Movies With Big New Year Moments
1. The Apartment (1960)
Let's start this list with a Hollywood classic. There's a reason why The Apartment pops up all the time when people look for a movie for New Year's Eve. It's heartfelt, funny, and the writing is sharp in a way that still feels fresh. Most of all, it has one of the most iconic New Year scenes ever, which is exactly why it made the list.
2. When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Another good movie to watch on New Year's Eve is this rom-com classic that never gets old. It's warm, funny, and has that soft emotional touch that feels right when you just want something feel-good without turning your brain off. And of course, the New Year scene has been copied and joked about for years because it's that iconic.
3. Phantom Thread (2017)
For this category, it feels right to include something a little more recent, and Phantom Thread fits that spot perfectly. The direction is sharp, the look of the film is clean and gorgeous, and Daniel Day-Lewis delivers one of those performances you just sink into. It also features a memorable New Year moment, which makes it one of the best New Year's Eve movies on Netflix to put on when you want something stylish.
Movies for When You're in That Reflective New Year Mood
1. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
When you're choosing movies to watch at New Year's, picking something that lifts your spirit a little can really set the tone for the year ahead. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is one of those films that quietly pushes you to take a chance on yourself. It's gentle, inspiring, and the kind of movie that makes you feel ready to face whatever goal you've been putting off.
2. Lost in Translation (2003)
Not everyone has their life sorted out when the New Year rolls in, and that's completely fine. If you're looking for movies to watch for the New Year that understand that slower, quieter headspace, Lost in Translation fits perfectly. The film moves at its own soft pace, and it has this gentle way of reminding you that it's okay to take your time and figure things out one step at a time.
3. YiYi (2000)
Closing the year with YiYi is honestly one of the best choices you can make. The film touches on so many parts of life in a calm, honest way, and it somehow feels simple and deep at the same time. Even though it runs close to three hours, it never drags because you slowly sink into the lives of each character, which is why it's one of the best New Year's movies to watch.
Fun Movies to Watch for a Chill Hangout With the Whole Family
1. Little Women (2019)
Little Women is a classic story that's been adapted so many times, but Greta Gerwig's version really stands out as a great movie for New Year's Eve. It has a cozy winter feeling, and the story of the March sisters is warm and comforting to watch with your family. It creates a warm atmosphere that makes staying home on New Year's feel cozy and meaningful.
2. Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
This film is wild in the best way, and the story really is about everything. But underneath all the chaos, it's about a family trying to fix their relationship and understand each other again. That makes it a good movie to watch for New Years when you want something fun, loud, and still meaningful to enjoy with everyone at home.
3. Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
If you want a good time with your family, nothing beats laughing together, and Kung Fu Hustle delivers that so easily. It's full of absurd moments you wouldn't expect from a martial arts film, and that's exactly what makes it so fun. It's silly, energetic, and still has a bit of heart underneath all the chaos, which makes it a great movie to watch for New Year's with everyone in the room.
Stylish, Aesthetic Films for New Year Vibes
1. Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Sometimes you just want a straight-up good movie to watch on New Year, and Blade Runner 2049 is always a solid choice. It's a sequel that actually lives up to the original and even feels stronger in a lot of ways. The world it builds is stunning to look at, from the neon city shots to the empty desert scenes, and everything feels so atmospheric. The story and characters pull you in too, so you're not just watching it for the visuals.
2. In the Mood for Love (2000)
Wong Kar Wai is known for his dreamy style and quiet, aching love stories, and this one really feels like his masterpiece. Everything works together so well, from the acting to the music to the way every scene is framed. It has this soft, moody atmosphere that pulls you in without trying too hard, which makes it a perfect pick for a movie to watch for New Year when you want something emotional but not loud about it.
3. It's Such a Beautiful Day (2012)
Animation isn't just for kids, and this film proves that in the best way. Don Hertzfeldt made this on his own, and it follows a stickman named Bill as he tries to make sense of his life in small, quiet moments. It's the kind of thoughtful piece you'll want to sit with, which makes it a really good movie to watch on New Year when you want something meaningful without being heavy.
Part 2. Turn These Movies Into Content: Celebrate New Year Online
All the films for New Year's Eve above don't just make your night cozy; they can also spark fun ideas for your online content. If you like posting things or you're already creating videos, this is a great chance to turn the movies you're watching into something new.
There are plenty of simple ideas you can try without stressing about it:
- Movie Review: Talk about what you liked, what didn't work for you, and the moments that stuck with you. It doesn't need to be deep or serious, just you sharing your thoughts after watching a good film for the New Year.
- Reaction Video: Record yourself while watching the big scenes, especially the New Year countdown moments. People love seeing real reactions and it feels like they're watching the movie with you.
- Parody Edit: Pick a funny or dramatic scene and turn it into something silly. You can add your own voice, rewrite the scene, or turn it into a meme that fits the New Year mood.
- Your Own Top List: Make your version of movies to watch for the New Year and talk a little about why you picked each one. It's simple to make and it's a fun way to share your taste with your followers.
And if you want your video to look clean and ready to post, you'll need an editor that doesn't make the whole thing harder than it should be. And when it comes to that, there is no better option than Wondershare Filmora.
This editor keeps everything simple while still giving you plenty of room to make your content look good.
Why Filmora Works Best for New Year Content
Easy to Use Interface
Filmora keeps everything simple, so you can put together your New Year film or movie recap even when you're tired from the year. Nothing feels complicated and you can jump straight into the timeline without thinking too much.
Wide Range of Creative Assets
Filmora gives you huge media libraries packed with stickers, filters, video effects, and royalty free music that can turn even a simple New Year video into something fun and stylish. You always have something new to play with, so your edits never feel plain or repetitive.
Instant Subtitles
Filmora has an AI Captions feature that takes care of the subtitles for you. Just turn it on and your lines show up on screen without you typing a single thing.
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Screen Recording When You Need It
The Screen Recorder feature in Filmora is great when you want to make reaction videos or commentary about the best movie for New Year's Eve. It captures everything smoothly while you talk through your thoughts.
Stunning Intros and Outros
Filmora gives you ready-made openers and closers that instantly make your New Year content look clean and put together. You just drop them in and your video feels finished.
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Mix Multiple Clips Easily
Mixing your talking head shots with film scenes or countdown moments is easy with Filmora Timeline. It makes movie reviews or lists of movies to watch for the New Year feel natural and fun to edit.
Instant Sharing After You Finish
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When you are done, you can send your video straight to TikTok or YouTube or Instagram. No fuss, no extra steps, just a quick way to share your New Year content with everyone.
Conclusion
Finding good movies to watch for New Year's is never as simple as it sounds, especially when every platform throws a hundred choices at you. That's why we pulled together twelve of the best movies to watch for New Year's so you can pick something that fits your night, whether you want a family pick, a quiet and reflective film, or a stylish story with an iconic New Year's Eve moment.
If you feel inspired after watching, you can even turn those moments into fun content like movie reviews, reaction videos, or your own top list. Filmora makes that easy with its AI tools, media library, and simple editing workflow, so you can create and share your New Year content without stress. After all, Filmora keeps everything smooth from your first clip to the final export.
