7 Perfect Movies to Watch on New Year’s Eve to Kick in 2026

Published 12/26/2025, 10:07 AM EST

While some people would love to crowd the bars on New Year's Eve, the majority will be looking for the best movies to binge-watch. And to ring in the new year, fans want something that has the holiday spirit, while something new. From iconic party scenes to heartwarming get-togethers, there are quite a few feel-good movies to watch on the New Year.

Apart from Charlie Brown and When Harry Met Sally, there are other delights that one can watch. So, now that one must have already exhausted the list of Christmas movies, here are the top 7 movies to watch this year.

The Holiday (2006)

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Known mostly as a Christmas classic, The Holiday also has a New Year's Eve party scene that one can watch during New Year’s Eve to enjoy. This heartwarming film focuses on two women, London book publicist Iris (Kate Winslet) and L.A. trailer editor Amanda (Cameron Diaz), who swap homes for the holidays after painful breakups, only to cross paths into unexpected romance and fresh beginnings.

This is quite clearly the right movie to watch to start a new year.

New Year's Eve (2011)

New Year’s Eve is a romantic comedy film about several people and their interconnected stories, which is set in New York during the time of New Year’s Eve. It is one of the movies of a trilogy, including Valentine's Day (2010) and Mother's Day (2016). 

Whether you have watched the other two movies or not, New Year's Eve is just the perfect watch this year. With a star-studded cast including Jon Bon Jovi, Jessica Biel, Abigail Breslin, Josh Duhamel, Robert De Niro, and Zac Efron, it clearly cannot be missed. 

The Age of Adaline (2015)

As the New Year brings the promise of fresh beginnings, fans often look for a little magic on screen, and this supernatural romance is just about that. The Age of Adaline follows the life of a mysterious woman, Adaline Bowman (Blake Lively), who stopped aging at 29 after a life-altering accident in Sonoma County. 

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What begins as a miracle soon turns bittersweet, as Adaline is forced to live decades while she remains unchanged. And this, too, has a New Year's Eve party scene, which becomes crucial to the plot. 

Ocean’s Eleven (2001)

Speaking of the best New Year's Eve movies, Ocean’s Eleven is one of the first movies that comes to mind for many. The film follows an eleven-member crew as they pull off a daring heist on New Year’s Eve, targeting three Las Vegas casinos, which are all owned by the same man. 

If you feel you have watched too many heist films and are wondering why this one is special, the answer is the cast. The movie has a star-studded lineup, including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Julia Roberts, always making it fun to rewatch the cast do their magic.

Sleepless In Seattle (1993)

Sleepless in Seattle is a timeless movie to watch on New Year’s Eve. The film follows widower Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks), whose life changes after his young son Jonah calls into a radio show in hopes of finding his father a new wife. 

That broadcast, where Sam talks about his wife and how much he misses her, touches several people’s hearts, including journalist Annie Reed (Meg Ryan). And that is what started a heartfelt connection between two strangers. 

It is an emotional and inspiring movie to watch this season. Do not forget the tissues if you plan to watch this. 

Holidate (2020)

Holidate is the perfect fun movie to watch this New Year’s Eve. Directed by John Whitesell, the romantic comedy follows two people who are fed up with being single during the holidays, like many other people. To avoid awkward family questions and holiday pressure, they come up with a hilariously simple plan, which is to pretend to be in a relationship. 

As one might guess, things did not go exactly according to plan, and the two eventually ended up falling for each other. While the storyline may sound familiar, the movie’s humor, charm, and lighthearted energy make it an easy and enjoyable watch. 

Carol (2015)

To wrap up the year and this list, the Oscar-nominated romantic film, Carol, is a must-watch. Set in the 1950s, the story follows two women from completely different worlds whose lives intersect, and soon a story begins. Based on Patricia Highsmith’s 1952 romance novel The Price of Salt, the film stars Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara.

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What makes the film especially fitting for year-end viewing is its subtle yet powerful story and the brilliant performances by Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara.

Be it a feel-good rom-com or a masterpiece with a powerful message, these movies or some more holiday delights are perfect for binge-watching as you wrap up the year, cuddled on the couch with a steaming cup of hot cocoa in hand. 

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So, which one will you start watching first? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Pritha Debroy

48 articles

Pritha Debroy is an Entertainment writer at NetflixJunkie who can seamlessly switch between breaking down an NBA play and obsessing over the latest K-drama twist. She has written over 3,400 NBA and NFL articles, but her true joy lies in diving into Netflix’s trendiest shows—unpacking themes, stories, and yes, the occasional celebrity chaos. When she is not writing, you’ll find her devouring thrillers (anything by Freida McFadden is an instant yes), revisiting comfort classics like 10 Things I Hate About You and 27 Dresses, or hunting for her next binge-worthy series.

Edited By: Itti Mahajan

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