Entering the new year makes us feel like endless, great possbilites are ahead and that feeling of wonderment is none better captured than by movies. To get amped for the appraoching January, immerse yourself in one of these great movies that find a spiritual center in New Year's Eve. We have a lot of romantic comedies on our hands, but fans of all genres will surely find the right fit to embrace the holiday spirit. See more below.
The quintessential romantic comedy spans a decade, but perhaps the biggest turning point in Harry and Sally’s relationship goes down on New Year’s Eve. Who wouldn’t want to ring in the new year of film’s greatest enemies-to-lovers-to-friends story?
“The start of something new” is a fantastic approach to 2022, and it so happens to be what kickstarted the relationship of Disney’s most iconic couple. Troy and Gabriella are swindled into a karaoke performance that changes their lives forever on New Year’s Eve, making the introductory High School musical the perfect inspiration for a 2022 of taking chances.
When a holiday has an eponymous movie, that makes it a must-see on said holiday. Take in the magic of love, the holidays and New York City as the intermingling lives of city dwellers get ready to ring in the new year. Even better, it has a star-studded cast that includes the likes of Zac Efron, Hillary Swank, Halle Berry, Jon Bon Jovi, Sarah Jessica Parker and more.
Since 1986, we’ve had the joy of watching Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the gang ring in the new year. In the special, Charlie Brown absolutely must attend Peppermint Patty’s New Year’s Eve party, but he is also obligated to finish the novel War and Peace.
See also: Our 19 Favorite Movies of the Year
With a cast that includes Kate Hudson, Christina Ricci, Ben Affleck and Paul Rudd, this rom-com is as ‘90s as any movie out there, making it a perfect, easy watch to ring in 2022. Also set in New York City, the ensemble cast look for love and fun on the last night of the year.
It’s nice to load up on romantic comedies this time of year. With the new year approaching, it invigorates us with a sense of joy and optimism needed to take on what’s ahead. This genre classic finds Bridget caught between two wonderful men, Daniel and Mark, as she works to find Mr. Right. Ultimately, her journey begins with an inciting New Year party that prompts Bridget to make a new year resolution to turn her life around.
Do we really need to do that much convincing to get you to watch a movie starring Angela Bassett, Whitney Houston, Loretta Devine and Lela Rochon? The movie is bookended by the New Year holiday and, because it centers around the best friends quartet, it makes for the ideal watch with the group of your closest pals as the clock approaches midnight.
The Tom Hanks classic may not be centered around the holiday, but it does have a great scene of Forrest and his pal Lieutenant Dan ringing in the new year, so we say that’s enough to consider it a great watch as 2021 comes to a close. What’s more, the whole film is dedicated to Forrest recounting his life, making it great inspiration for watchers to reflect on their year and get ready to take on 2022.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s tale about renowned dressmaker Reynolds Woodcock and his muse Alma gets pretty dark and twisted. It might not offer the right spirit to usher in the new year, but it has a fantastic, chaotic new year’s eve scene that embraces the turbulence of the holidays. It’s also just, hands down, a really great movie.
Photography by: Unsplash/pparnxoxo
