A lot of people like to argue about whether or not “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie. Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t, but we know one thing for sure – people never tire of participating in this very uninteresting discussion. But does it extend to other holidays?
In the case of New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day, it’s much less of a burning question. Having said that, if you’re not braving the crowds this year and want to just enjoy a quiet and cozy night at home, any of these ten movies will help you ring in the New Year, particularly if you time them perfectly so midnight rolls around outside at the same time it happens on screen.
Image Credit: IMDb.
1. ‘The Godfather Part II’ (1974)
“The Godfather Part II” is one of the rare sequels that surpasses the original, and the original was itself pretty hard to beat. This movie contains a famous scene that takes place on New Year’s Eve, and though we won’t spoil it for you, it’s one of the most chilling scenes in the movie.
Image Credit: IMDb.
2. ‘Trading Places’ (1983)
1983’s “Trading Places” is still pretty funny, but there are certain scenes that have aged very, very poorly, such as the New Year’s Eve scene that takes place on a train. We don’t want to spoil this one for you either, but let’s just say Dan Aykroyd engages in some behavior that absolutely does not fly anymore and will get you canceled overnight.
Image Credit: IMDb.
3. ‘Boogie Nights’ (1997)
Despite taking place within the adult film industry in the 1970s and 1980s, “Boogie Nights” may be one of the least fun movies ever made. It features a pivotal scene at a New Year’s Eve party as the year 1980 looms, and when the scene ends, the tone of the movie shifts from occasional humor to total darkness. Also, if you make it through the whole thing, you’ll never hear “Sister Christian” the same way again.
Image Credit: IMDB / New Line Cinema.
4. ‘Sunset Boulevard’ (1950)
It’s unlikely that anyone hasn’t seen this classic film, but if you’ve managed to go this far in your life without seeing it, we urge you to correct that state of affairs this New Year’s Eve. The holiday figures into it for a key scene, but it’s also one of the great classic films of all time even if you watch it in the middle of July.
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures / IMDB.
5. ‘Poseidon’ (2006)
A remake of the 1972 disaster classic “The Poseidon Adventure,” this 2006 remake sees a large cruise ship overturned by a rogue wave at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, with deadly results. The movie is moronic beyond words and contains multiple scenes that defy basic science, but it’s about half an hour shorter than the original, so watch this one if you’re planning to turn in early.
Image Credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. / Imdb.
6. ‘Ocean’s 11’ (1960)
Yes, there was the 2001 remake directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring George Clooney, but the original classic from 1960, which is about a New Year’s Eve heist, is simply unbeatable. If for some reason you’ve been putting off watching this Rat Pack caper, we recommend correcting that state of affairs this New Year’s Eve.
Image Credit: IMDb.
7. ‘When Harry Met Sally’ (1989)
“When Harry Met Sally” is considered by many to be the gold standard in rom-coms, and it’s hard to imagine that there’s anyone alive with a Netflix subscription who hasn’t seen I by nowt. If you’re waiting until the night of December 31 to see it, you should know that the scene in which Frank Sinatra sings “It Had to Be You” is considered one of the greatest movie moments ever to invoke the new year.
Image Credit: IMDb.
8. ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’ (2001)
Renée Zellweger is skinny and American, but for whatever reason, she was cast as Bridget Jones, a single British woman who believes herself to be unsightly and grotesque in her stocky frame. While that may sound like the plot of a movie about body dysmorphic disorder, it’s a comedy, and she makes a bunch of New Year’s resolutions like losing weight, quitting smoking, and getting off the sauce, for comic effect. If actors from Texas getting cast as Brits is your thing, watch this movie immediately!
Image Credit: IMDb.
9. ‘200 Cigarettes’ (1999)
This movie takes place on New Year’s Eve 1981, and features an ensemble cast that includes Dave Chappelle and Kate Hudson. Courtney Love is in it too, since it coincided with that thankfully brief period in which we were all supposed to accept her as a serious actor. We’re glad that’s over.
Image Credit: IMDb.
10. ‘Rent’ (2005)
Why should you watch the film adaptation of this beloved Broadway musical this New Year’s Eve? It’s basically a Lower East Side “La Bohème” directed by the guy who directed “Home Alone,” and you will either shut it off after five minutes or dedicate all of the song lyrics to memory and watch it every New Year’s Eve for the rest of your life. Don’t wait another 525,600 minutes to watch it!
This article was produced and syndicated by MediaFeed.
Image Credit: IMDb.
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