Best New Year’s Eve Movies to Ring in the Year

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Best New Year's Eve Movies to Ring in the Year

New Year's Eve means something different to everyone. For some, it's about landing the perfect kiss at midnight (a challenge in the time of COVID!). For others, it's focused on a party with friends, family and champagne! Luckily, there are tons of movies that capture the many different feelings that come along with the end of the year. One of those films is the first Sex and the City movie. While the 2008 hit follows the friendships of Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and Samantha (Kim Cattrall), one scene highlights that bond more than any other. In the movie, a single Carrie goes to bed early on New Year's Eve. Meanwhile, Miranda is in Brooklyn all alone — her son is with her ex, Steve, for the holiday — and she calls and wakes up Carrie. Even though Miranda says not to come over, Carrie still throws on heels over her silk pajamas and heads to Brooklyn, arriving just in time for midnight. [jwplayer CWXni1bE-zhNYySv2] "The idea of being single on New Year's Eve has always been treacherous for everybody," the film's writer and director, Michael Patrick King, told Entertainment Weekly in 2020. "There's something about that bullseye of midnight that makes almost an imperative that you check in with yourself. You're supposed to be in love at midnight. You're supposed to be in a couple. Which is why it's so great for Sex and the City, because anytime we could underline what society says vs. the reality of where people are was always powerful." One detail was especially important to the producer: the fact that Carrie, as Miranda pointed out, wouldn't be able to hail a cab on New Year's Eve in New York City. "That was a major thing for me as a writer: Carrie's on the subway — that's how much she's trying to get someplace for her friend," King recalled. Parker also loved the scene, telling EW, "I loved it because it wasn't about words, it was just about this desperate need to connect to somebody that actually matters to you."

Another quintessential NYE flick is the Garry Marshall-directed New Year’s Eve. The ensemble romantic comedy starred the likes of SJP, Josh Duhamel, Robert DeNiro, Hilary Swank and Zac Efron, who couldn’t help but gush over their costars.

“I met [costar] Michelle [Pfeiffer] a few years ago, during Hairspray, and had a huge crush on her, always, from day one,” the High School Musical actor revealed during a December 2011 press conference for the film via Collider. “I got to talk on the phone with her, about this part. She said, ‘I think we should take this to the next level. We should really push it. Let’s get a kiss in there.’ I was like, ‘I am in! I’m in this movie! Put me in! Sign me up! Let’s do it!’ It turned out to be awesome. It was lovely working with her. Every single second with her was amazing.”

Credit: Shutterstock (4)

Best New Year's Eve Movies to Ring in the Year

New Year's Eve means something different to everyone. For some, it's about landing the perfect kiss at midnight (a challenge in the time of COVID!). For others, it's focused on a party with friends, family and champagne! Luckily, there are tons of movies that capture the many different feelings that come along with the end of the year. One of those films is the first Sex and the City movie. While the 2008 hit follows the friendships of Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and Samantha (Kim Cattrall), one scene highlights that bond more than any other. In the movie, a single Carrie goes to bed early on New Year's Eve. Meanwhile, Miranda is in Brooklyn all alone — her son is with her ex, Steve, for the holiday — and she calls and wakes up Carrie. Even though Miranda says not to come over, Carrie still throws on heels over her silk pajamas and heads to Brooklyn, arriving just in time for midnight. [jwplayer CWXni1bE-zhNYySv2] "The idea of being single on New Year's Eve has always been treacherous for everybody," the film's writer and director, Michael Patrick King, told Entertainment Weekly in 2020. "There's something about that bullseye of midnight that makes almost an imperative that you check in with yourself. You're supposed to be in love at midnight. You're supposed to be in a couple. Which is why it's so great for Sex and the City, because anytime we could underline what society says vs. the reality of where people are was always powerful." One detail was especially important to the producer: the fact that Carrie, as Miranda pointed out, wouldn't be able to hail a cab on New Year's Eve in New York City. "That was a major thing for me as a writer: Carrie's on the subway — that's how much she's trying to get someplace for her friend," King recalled. Parker also loved the scene, telling EW, "I loved it because it wasn't about words, it was just about this desperate need to connect to somebody that actually matters to you."

Another quintessential NYE flick is the Garry Marshall-directed New Year’s Eve. The ensemble romantic comedy starred the likes of SJP, Josh Duhamel, Robert DeNiro, Hilary Swank and Zac Efron, who couldn’t help but gush over their costars.

“I met [costar] Michelle [Pfeiffer] a few years ago, during Hairspray, and had a huge crush on her, always, from day one,” the High School Musical actor revealed during a December 2011 press conference for the film via Collider. “I got to talk on the phone with her, about this part. She said, ‘I think we should take this to the next level. We should really push it. Let’s get a kiss in there.’ I was like, ‘I am in! I’m in this movie! Put me in! Sign me up! Let’s do it!’ It turned out to be awesome. It was lovely working with her. Every single second with her was amazing.”

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‘About Fate’

Emma Roberts and Thomas Mann star as Margot and Griffin, respectively, in the 2022 Prime Video romantic comedy. The film, which takes place leading up to New Year’s Eve, begins with the twosome living parallel lives as they both anticipate getting engaged on NYE. A twist of fate allows Margot and Griffin to meet after they are dumped by their respective significant others — which is only the beginning of their similarities.

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'The Holiday'

Tired of their respective love dilemmas, Iris (Kate Winslet) and Amanda (Cameron Diaz) agree to trade homes between Christmas and New Year’s. While most of the film takes place during the merry holiday, a sweet New Years’ scene concludes the production.

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'Holidate'

Fed up with being single during the holidays, two strangers (Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey) agree to be each other’s platonic dates for the entire year. They accompany one another to gatherings for NYE, Cinco de Mayo, Halloween, Thanksgiving and more celebrations.

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'The Godfather Part II'

In the Godfather sequel, Vito Corleone is continuing to develop in 1920s-era NYC as son Michael expands the family’s role in the crime scene. While the movie isn’t fully classified as a holiday flick, an NYC scene is particularly memorable for faithful fans.

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'Carol'

The holiday plays a crucial role in the Oscar-nominated film as Cate Blanchett’s Carol Aird and Rooney Mara’s Therese Belivet have their first kiss and sexual encounter during an NYE gathering.

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'Rent'

This movie musical is set in the 1980s as a group of New Yorkers struggle with their careers, love lives and the growing AIDS epidemic. While the movie is primarily set around Christmastime, there is also a notable NYE musical moment, too.

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'When Harry Met Sally'

Like an old friend, this 1989 classic always feels right on New Year's Eve. The film chronicles the story of Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan), who wonder if it's possible for men and women to be just friends.

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'High School Musical'

Not exactly a New Year's Eve staple, but this musical Disney Channel movie includes quite a New Year's Eve party that has Troy (Zac Efron) and Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens) fans swooning.

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'New Year's Eve'

It's in the title! This rom-com includes many intertwined stories of love, friendship and family and stars a ton of A-list stars, including Hilary Swank, Robert DeNiro, Halle Berry, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jessica Biel and Sarah Jessica Parker.

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'Sleepless in Seattle'

Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan are a match made in heaven anytime they're on screen together. This romantic film's most emotional moment takes place on New Year's Eve.

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'While You Were Sleeping'

This 1995 heartwarming movie follows Lucy (Sandra Bullock) who saves her crush's life. While Peter (Peter Gallagher) in a coma, his family is led to believe they were engaged and completely take her in as one of their own. Meanwhile, she falls for another member of his family.

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'Bridget Jones’s Diary'

Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger) and Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) finally embrace in a steamy, passionate kiss on New Year's Eve — what more could you ask for?

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'About Time'

This romance follows Mary (Rachel McAdams) and Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) whose story is forever changing through time travel. While Tim is always hopping between different points in time, he always makes it back for that New Year's Eve kiss.

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'Sex and the City: The Movie'

Sometimes, it's all about friendship. In the first Sex and the City movie, Carrie takes the subway to Brooklyn — gasp! — in order to make it to her lonely friend, Miranda, in time for midnight on New Year's Eve.

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'Snowpiercer'

Chris Evans, Song Kang-ho and Tilda Swinton star in this 2013 sci-fi film about a horrific post-apocalyptic Earth. It's not exactly a pick-me-up, but it does feature quite a twist that happens on New Year's Eve.

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'Are We There Yet?'

This 2005 comedy will have you laughing out loud as the clock strikes midnight, as Nick (Ice Cube) attempts to impress Suzanne (Nia Long), offering to accompany her children on a flight — which quickly goes awry. While full of laughter, a touching moment takes place on New Year's Eve.