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If you would rather watch New Year’s Eve movies on Netflix than go outside on the craziest nights of the year, you’ve come to the right place. Who knows what 2020 will bring—besides the headache-inducing anxiety that comes with a presidential election—but even if you don’t party tonight, you’ll want to honor the occasion somehow. After all, 2020 is not just a new year—it’s a whole new decade.
For those looking for a lowkey way to ring in both the year and the new decade, watching a New Year’s Eve-themed movie is perfect. Though not quite as abundant as Christmas films, there are some truly great New Year’s Eve scenes in films that would be perfect to watch tonight, such as Meg Ryan explaining what the heck “Auld Lang Syne” in When Harry Met Sally..., Daniel Day-Lewis glowering at New Year’s Eve balloons in Phantom Thread, and Gary Sinise (Lieutenant Dan) looking sad while covered in confetti in Forrest Gump. Unfortunately, none of those films are Netflix. Sorry!
As Netflix continues to produce more and more original content—including high-profile Oscar contenders like Marriage Story and The Irishman—the streaming platform also hosts fewer and fewer licensed titles. That means the pickings are slim when it comes to New Year’s Eve-themed or New Year’s Eve-adjacent movies on Netflix. You’d be better off renting one of the above films I listed on Amazon Prime or iTunes, in my opinion, if you really want to get into the New Year’s spirit. But if you’re determined to watch a New Year’s Eve movie on Netflix, you do have a few options. You just might want to be a bit more generous when it comes to what you consider a “New Year’s Eve” movie to be.
'About Time' (2013)
Remember this adorable Richard Curtis rom-com starring Domhnall Gleeson as a time traveler who falls in love with Rachel McAdams? Remember that brief but hilarious part at the beginning where, while at a New Year’s Eve party, some girl tries to kiss Domhnall Gleeson but he shakes her hand instead? It’s a small moment, but it’s also the catalyst for his character’s first attempt at a time-travel redo. Therefore, About Time is a New Year’s Eve movie. I rest my case.
'Happy New Year' (2014)
If you’re in the mood for some Bollywood, this Indian Hindi-language musical is all about a diamond heist that goes down on New Year’s Eve. A musical that’s also a comedy-action-heist film? I can’t think of a better way to ring in the New Year.
'The Time Traveler's Wife' (2009)
In The Time Traveler’s Wife, starring Rachel McAdams in another movie where she falls in love with a time traveler (this time played by Eric Bana), said time traveler (spoiler alert!) dies on New Year’s Eve, 2006. Remember that part where he wakes up in the snow and fireworks are going off? Totally a New Year’s Eve movie.
'Rosemary's Baby' (1968)
A famous scene from this 1968 psychological horror film finds star Mia Farrow spending a very unsettling New Year’s Eve at her devil-worshipping neighbor’s house. It’s a NYE party that features raw meat and toast to “Year One” (1966)—not a very promising send-off to the new year.
'Someone Great' (2019)
OK, it’s not really a New Year’s Eve scene, but in this romantic comedy from writer/director Jenn Kaytin Robinson, the two romantic leads—Gina Rodriguez and Lakeith Stanfield—first meet at a holiday party. New Year’s counts as part of that holiday! Plus, this movie is super cute and you should watch it.
'Eat Pray Love' (2010)
Hear me out: There may not be a New Year’s Eve scene in Eat Pray Love, the movie starring Julia Roberts. But there is a New Year’s Eve scene in Eat Pray Love, the memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert (played by Roberts in the film). After Gilbert arrived at an Indian ashram, the people there were celebrating the holiday. Even though Gilbert had no one to ring in the new year with, she said she didn’t feel lonely. You can watch the movie and imagine that scene exists.
Netflix's New Year's Eve Countdown Collection
If you’re looking for something to put on for your kids this holiday, Netflix offers a number of short films (as in, 1 to 2 minutes long) as “fake countdowns,” featuring your kid’s favorite characters counting down to the new year. You can put this countdown on for your kids around 9pm, put them to bed, and head to your parties. You can check out the full collection by searching “New Year’s Eve Countdown” on Netflix, but highlights include characters from The Boss Baby, Spirit, and Fuller House.
