People ring in the New Year in so many different ways, but watching a movie with friends and family members is always a smart idea. It is a common form of entertainment, it would likely bring about yummy refreshments, and it could help keep everyone awake until midnight.
If anyone out there is searching for, in particular, a New Year’s Eve-themed film to watch this year, then consider one of the following. Of these 10, some are pretty popular, others are lesser-known stories, and all of them could work on December 31 and/or January 1, as it becomes 2020!
New Year’s Eve
In 2010, there was Valentine’s Day. In 2016, there was Mother’s Day. And in 2011, there was New Year’s Eve. These films are all by Garry Marshall, they all star many well-known actors/actresses, and as their names suggests, they are centered around holidays.
New Year’s Eve, specifically, featured Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Abigail Breslin, Katherine Heigl, Lea Michele, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michelle Pfeiffer, Hilary Swank, Sofía Vergara, Carla Gugino, Alyssa Milano, Ludacris, Robert De Niro, Josh Duhamel, Zac Efron, Jon Bon Jovi, Héctor Elizondo, Ashton Kutcher and Seth Meyers. A murderer’s row of actors if we say so ourselves.
New Year’s Day
In 1989, New Year’s Day came out, and the entire movie takes place in an apartment on, well, New Years Day. The star of the story is Drew, who is searching for his next move in life. Part of that involves moving back into his old apartment, but three women are living there and are having a party. Through all of this, spoiler alert, Drew finds the motivation he needs to move forward.
A bonus is that David Duchovny plays Drew and that Maggie Wheeler (Janice from Friends) is also featured in this flick!
Poseidon
Those who are looking for some thrills on New Year’s can turn to Poseidon, a disaster flick from the year 2006. It has some big stars in it, such as Emmy Rossum, Kurt Russell, Richard Dreyfuss and Josh Lucas, and it is set on a luxury ocean liner on New Year’s Eve. There will be no spoiler alerts, but know that this story is similar to the one told in Titanic.
It is very exciting, though, with over-the-top visuals that were even shown in IMAX when this was released.
Boogie Nights
Boogie Nights was released in 1997, starring Mark Wahlberg, Burt Reynolds, William H. Macy, Philip Seymour Hoffman, John C. Reilly, Don Cheadle, Julianne Moore and Heather Graham. It is a period drama film, with the San Fernando Valley as a setting, and the plot is centered around a guy who washes dishes in a nightclub then rises to fame through the adult entertainment world.
Oh, and New Year’s is mentioned, of course! The screenplay, acting and soundtrack were praised and nominated for awards, providing more incentive to watch this one.
I’ll Be Seeing You
Another movie with a New Year’s Eve party in it is I’ll Be Seeing You. This is a classic from the year 1944, and it stars Ginger Rogers, Shirley Temple and Joseph Cotten.
The story centers around a soldier who meets a woman, and they fall in love, which happens in many great films. It is an entertaining tale, and those who like old movies or who are looking to watch more should try this one out at the end of 2019.
Holidays
For those in the mood for horror, there is Holidays from 2016. This movie is made up of short films that are each set around a holiday, and the one for this particular holiday is something special.
It involves a date between Reggie and Jean on New Year’s Eve. It features an interesting discovery at Jean’s apartment. It focuses on an ax during the climax. And as January 1st rolls in, there seems to be happiness (at least for one character).
Holiday Inn
There is an additional suggestion, which is also centered around all the different holidays, and that would be Holiday Inn from 1942. This is a musical, with music by Irving Berlin, who wrote 12 songs for this, including White Christmas. Notable actors and actresses such as Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Virginia Dale and Marjorie Reynolds star in this entertaining tale.
And at the end of the movie, which takes place on New Year’s Eve, there are happily ever afters all around at the Holiday Inn.
The Time Machine
And for a sci-fi option, there is The Time Machine, which is based on a novella of the same name that was written by H. G. Wells and that was from 1895. This film, which is from 1960, is about a time machine being built, of course, and in the future, there are two different species of human-like beings.
It does mention New Year’s Eve, so it counts as another movie that could be watched, while ringing in 2020!
Ghostbusters II
Ghostbusters was released in 1984, and a sequel, Ghostbusters II came out five years later and was set five years later. Its plot revolves around a new paranormal threat, which the Ghostbusters must fight off, in order to save the day.
And on New Year’s Eve, there is a big scene involving slime! This flick may have not been as popular as its predecessor, but it does feature greats like Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Rick Moranis and Sigourney Weaver, making it a good comedy choice.
Every Day’s a Holiday
Another oldie but a goodie is Every Day’s a Holiday, which was released in 1937. Mae West co-wrote it and starred in it as a con artist named Peaches O’Day. She gets into some trouble after trying to sell the Brooklyn Bridge, and then a scheme is hatched, involving her posing as a singer named Fifi. There are funny scenes, there is romance, there is the New Year’s setting, and there is the one and only Mae West.
A film from way back in the day may not be everyone’s first choice, but there are some true classics that can be enjoyed at the end of one year, at the beginning of another and beyond!
