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New Year’s Eve is a time for celebration, reflection, and spending quality time with loved ones. What better way to usher in the new year than by watching some heartwarming and entertaining family-friendly movies? From classics to contemporary favourites, we’ve compiled a list of the best family New Year’s movies to enjoy with your whole family. So, grab some popcorn and get ready for a movie night filled with laughter, love, and the spirit of the season.
13 of the Best New Year’s Movie to enjoy as a family
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
When Harry Met Sally is a romantic comedy set in New York City. The movie chronicles the evolving relationship between Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan), exploring themes of friendship, love, and platonic relationships between men and women as well as the New Year’s Eve party scene when Harry finally realizes his feelings for Sally; with its hilarious dialogue and relatable characters, it has quickly become one of many favourite New Year’s Eve movie classics.
Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
Sleepless in Seattle is also a romantic comedy set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City, starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in an inspiring tale about Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks) a widower struggling to adjust after the loss of his late wife/mother and young son Jonah (Jonah). On New Year’s Eve Sam broadcasts an open letter on the radio about his loneliness which touched Annie Reed (Meg Ryan), a Baltimore journalist. Sleepless in Seattle beautifully captures this theme of new beginnings while showing how love transcends time and distance – making this film ideal for holiday viewing this Christmastime!
While You Were Sleeping (1995)
This comedy, starring Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman, centres around Lucy, an individual who saves an unknown man from being hit by a train on Christmas Day. Due to a series of miscommunications and misinterpretations of what had transpired between them, Lucy becomes mistaken as his fiancee, which leads her to meet his family during this Christmas season. While You Were Sleeping is a heartwarming Christmas movie which also offers an amusing New Year’s Eve scene; making it the perfect pick for festive movie nights this holiday season!
Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
Bridget Jones’s Diary is a British romantic comedy starring Renee Zellweger as Bridget Jones, the endearing protagonist. The movie chronicles her humorous adventures through her career, relationships and personal life while documenting them all in her diary. There is even a memorable New Year’s Eve scene where Bridget’s resolutions and relationship with Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) take centre stage – perfect for New Year’s Eve viewing! With its relatable portrayal of a young woman searching for love and personal growth this classic rom-com is sure to appeal.
Trading Places (1983)
Trading Places is a classic starring Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd that stands the test of time. Although not strictly speaking a New Year’s Eve movie, its pivotal scene takes place during a party held on New Year’s Eve in Philadelphia. Its plot follows an experiment which involves swapping lives between an elite commodities broker (Aykroyd) and an upstart street hustler (Murphy), making for a hilarious yet thought-provoking comedy that explores class privilege issues making this film an excellent choice any time of year!
Ghostbusters II (1989)
Ghostbusters II is an award-winning sequel to the beloved cult classic Ghostbusters. Although not typically associated with New Year’s Eve movies, its memorable climax takes place on New Year’s Eve in New York City where supernatural forces threaten its existence – an ideal film to watch. Packed with comedy and supernatural thrills, Ghostbusters II remains an enjoyable way to welcome in the new year.
The Longshots (2008)
This heartwarming family sports drama stars Ice Cube and Keke Palmer. Based on true events, it tells Jasmine Plummer’s journey as she becomes the first female participant in a Pop Warner football tournament – something no ordinary New Year’s Eve movie can match! Embark on an inspiring journey full of perseverance, family bonds and community support during The Longshots; an ideal choice to motivate viewers towards pursuing their goals while making New Year resolutions!
Pooh Celebrates A Very Pooh Year (2002)
A Very Merry Pooh Year is an animated movie featuring Winnie the Pooh and his friends from Hundred Acre Wood. This family-friendly flick combines two holiday tales; one around Christmas and the other New Year’s Eve, so young children can follow Pooh’s adventures while learning valuable life lessons from these beloved characters.
Rudolph’s Shiny New Year (1976)
Rudolph’s Shiny New Year is an animated TV special that continues the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. This family movie centres around Baby New Year going missing, and Rudolph’s quest to find and bring him home so the new year can begin on time. Filled with whimsical characters and themes of teamwork and perseverance, this festive holiday film offers great family viewing!
Sunset Boulevard (1950)
Sunset Boulevard (1950), directed by Billy Wilder, is an iconic film noir from its golden era that captures New Year’s Eve like no other movie could. While not traditionally associated with New Year’s Eve movies, Sunset Boulevard features an important scene set at a Hollywood party on December 31. The story centres on an unsuccessful screenwriter who becomes involved with an old silent film star; with its dark atmosphere and commentary on celebrity cultism. Sunset Boulevard stands as a timeless classic worth revisiting any time of year.
Love Actually (2003)
With an ensemble cast including Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, and Cate Blanchett, Love Actually weaves multiple love stories together during the holiday season. It reminds us that love, in all its forms, is what truly matters during the holidays.
New Year’s Eve (2011)
Garry Marshall directed New Year’s Eve, an ensemble film featuring Hilary Swank, Sarah Jessica Parker and Ashton Kutcher among its star cast. The movie weaves multiple storylines of individuals and couples living in New York City as they navigate the final day of the year with love, friendship and anticipation of a fresh start in mind – making New Year’s Eve an enjoyable way to commemorate this holiday while making resolutions for what lies ahead.
The Holiday (2006)
Starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet, this charming rom-com tells the story of two women who swap houses for the holidays. With Jude Law and Jack Black as love interests, it’s a feel-good film to enjoy with friends and family.
No matter your taste in movies, New Year’s Eve movies offer something for everyone to celebrate the coming of 2024. From romantic comedies to family-oriented flicks and cult classics – there is sure to be something to suit all moods when it comes to choosing New Year’s Eve viewing material! These movies capture the spirit of new beginnings while reflecting upon holiday joys as well as celebrating love, friendship and family bonds – the ideal selections to mark this new beginning in style!
Happy New Year!
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