Looking for the perfect movie to ring in the new year?
Whether you’re cuddled up at home with kids or hosting a cozy adults-only movie marathon, these New Year movies are just what you need to count down in style.
From heartwarming family favorites to romantic comedies and glitzy party flicks, this list has something for everyone. Confetti not required!
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This list is split into G/PG movies, PG-13, and R-rated movies. It contains recommendations only. Use your best judgment to determine if a movie is the right fit for your family.
G & PG-Rated New Year Family Movies
These fun, heartwarming films are perfect for family movie night. Add some sparkling cider, popcorn, and fuzzy blankets.
1. Snoopy Presents: For Auld Lang Syne (2022)-G
When the Peanuts gang’s New Year’s Eve plans go sideways, Lucy takes charge and throws a party of her own. Snoopy and friends navigate friendship, expectations, and the spirit of starting fresh.
This is the perfect movie to ring in the New Year for the young and the old!
Fun fact: This was Apple TV+’s first original Peanuts holiday special, marking a new era for the beloved franchise.
2. Happy New Year, Charlie Brown! (1986)-G
Charlie Brown is torn between reading War and Peace for a school assignment and wanting to attend Peppermint Patty’s New Year’s Eve bash. Naturally, things don’t go as planned, but lessons about balance and friendship shine through.
Why it’s great: It’s short, charming, and captures that bittersweet mix of nostalgia and hope that comes with every new year.
See Happy New Year, Charlie Brown! here >>
3. High School Musical (2006)- G
*Perfect for tweens and family sing-alongs!
Troy Bolton (Zac Efron), the star basketball player at East High, meets shy, book-smart Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Anne Hudgens) at a New Year’s Eve karaoke party while on winter break. Their unexpected duet sparks an instant connection.
When they later discover Gabriella has transferred to Troy’s school, the two decide to audition for the upcoming school musical, shaking up the social scene. But their newfound bond faces challenges .when drama queen Sharpay Evans (Ashley Tisdale) schemes to keep them out of the spotlight.
Troy and Gabriella must juggle their musical dreams with their commitments to the basketball team and the academic decathlon.
Fun fact: Actor Drew Seeley provided the singing voice for Zac Efron’s character in the first film because Efron’s natural singing voice was considered too low.
See High School Musical here >>
4. Rudolph’s Shiny New Year (1976)-G
Rudolph is back! This stop-motion sequel to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer follows our red-nosed hero as he searches for Baby New Year, who’s gone missing. Without him, the New Year can’t begin!
See Rudolph’s Shiny New Year here >>
5. Are We There Yet (2005)-PG
Nick (Ice Cube) tries to impress the woman of his dreams, a divorced mother of two, by driving her mischievous kids to meet her for New Year’s Eve. Chaos, comedy, and heartwarming lessons ensue when the kids are determined not to make the trip easy on Nick.
Fun fact: This movie was such a hit that it inspired a sequel and a TV series.
Watch Are We There Yet here >>
6. Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year (2002)-G
Pooh and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood celebrate Christmas and New Year’s, learning about resolutions, friendship, and forgiveness.
See Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year here >>
7. Ghostbusters II (1989)- PG
The superstars of the supernatural are back to kick more slime. Set around New Year’s Eve in New York City, the Ghostbusters must save the city from a river of slime powered by negative energy. The film ends with fireworks and celebration. It’s a perfect quirky pick for New Year’s Eve.
Fun fact: The scene where the Ghostbusters rally the people of New York City was filmed with thousands of paid civilian extras at the Washington Square Arch.
8. Frozen (2013)- PG
Frozen follows fearless Princess Anna (Kristen Bell) as she teams up with rugged iceman Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), his loyal reindeer Sven, and a hilarious snowman named Olaf to find her sister, Queen Elsa (Idina Menzel), whose icy powers have trapped their kingdom in eternal winter. Along the way, Anna learns the true meaning of love, courage, and family.
With its snowy setting, heartwarming message, and catchy songs, Frozen is a perfect choice for New Year’s Eve family viewing. It celebrates togetherness, hope, and fresh beginnings, the very things that make ringing in the new year so special.
Complete family night with a fun game of Frozen Trivia.
9. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)- PG
After hearing a widower (Tom Hanks) on a radio talk show, a woman (Meg Ryan) sets out to find him. Leading to one of the most romantic meet-cutes in film history atop the Empire State Building.
Fun fact: Director Nora Ephron was able to secure just six hours of filming time at the real Empire State Building. This was enough time to get the helicopter shots and some of the lobby and elevator scenes.
See Sleepless in Seattle here >>
10. An Affair To Remember (1957) -NR (PG-equivalent)
Two people fall in love on a cruise and agree to meet atop the Empire State Building in 6 months on New Year’s Eve. But will it happen? A timeless classic about fate and second chances.
See An Affair to Remember here >>
11. An American In Paris (1951)-G
A romantic musical about an American painter in postwar Paris. Its dreamy dance sequences and love story culminate in an elegant New Year’s-style celebration.
Fun fact: The finale was a massive undertaking, shot on 44 sets and costing nearly $500,000, which was an enormous budget for a single musical number at the time.
See An American In Paris here >>
12. While You Were Sleeping (1995)- PG
Lonely train station worker Lucy (Sandra Bullock) saves her crush from an accident and is mistaken for his fiancée. As she’s welcomed into his family over the holidays, she finds herself torn between truth and belonging.
Why it’s perfect: It transitions beautifully from Christmas to New Year’s, full of charm, laughter, and romance.
See While You Were Sleeping here >>
13. The Poseidon Adventure (1972)-PG
A luxurious cruise ship capsizes during a New Year’s Eve party, leaving survivors to fight their way out. It’s a gripping classic about courage and second chances.
Fun fact: The film won an Oscar for Best Visual Effects. Rare for its time!
See The Poseidon Adventure here >>
PG-13 New Year Movies For Teens & Adults
For families with older kids or adults craving romance, laughter, or a little chaos, these films celebrate new beginnings and midnight magic.
14. New Year’s Eve (2011)- PG-13
On New Year’s Eve in New York City, a series of intertwined stories unfolds, each filled with love, hope, and new beginnings.
A rock star faces his past when he crosses paths with an old flame at a high-profile party. A rising singer finds herself unexpectedly stuck with a cynical stranger on the road to her big performance. Meanwhile, a devoted nurse keeps vigil beside a terminally ill patient, determined to see the Times Square ball drop one last time.
As midnight approaches, these lives intersect in surprising ways, reminding everyone that anything is possible when the clock strikes twelve.
Fun fact: The movie was actually filmed during the real Times Square ball drop!
15. The Phantom Of The Opera (2004)- PG-13
While not a traditional New Year’s story, this romantic musical’s masked ball takes place at a lavish New Year’s celebration. The opulent visuals and haunting score make it a stunning choice for a dramatic night in.
Fun fact: The “Masquerade” scene featured over 200 extras in custom costumes.
See The Phantom of The Opera here >>
16. Forrest Gump (1994)- PG-13
Slow-witted but kindhearted Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) lives an extraordinary life thanks to his devoted mother (Sally Field). From college football fame to the Vietnam War and running a shrimp boat, his optimism inspires everyone he meets. Yet the one person he can’t seem to save is his childhood love, Jenny (Robin Wright).
The New Year’s scene between Forrest and Lieutenant Dan is both funny and heartfelt, reminding us that change and redemption are always possible.
Fun fact: Many famous actors turned down the role of Forrest, including John Travolta and Bill Murray.
17. Ocean’s Eleven (2001)- PG-13
Danny Ocean and his team pull off an epic Las Vegas heist timed perfectly with the New Year’s countdown. Stylish, smart, and fun, it’s a sleek watch for adults who like a little thrill.
Fun fact: George Clooney personally called each actor to recruit them for the film.
Watch the original Ocean’s Eleven (1960) with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis, Jr.
18. The Great Gatsby (2013)- PG-13
Midwesterner Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) moves to 1920s New York seeking the American dream and becomes neighbors with mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio). Drawn into Gatsby’s glittering world and his obsession with Nick’s cousin Daisy (Carey Mulligan), Nick witnesses a story of love, ambition, and tragedy.
Glamorous parties, champagne toasts, and midnight confessions. This glittering adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel feels like a nonstop New Year’s celebration in the Jazz Age.
Fun fact: Over 1,000 bottles of real champagne were popped on set to capture the energy of the Roaring ’20s parties.
19. The Apartment (1960)
A lonely office worker lends out his apartment for his boss’s affairs but finds unexpected love around New Year’s. Witty, emotional, and ahead of its time.
Fun fact: The movie won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture!
20. The Holiday (2006)- PG-13
Although primarily a Christmas movie, The Holiday beautifully bridges into the New Year, with its ending capturing fresh starts, new love, and self-discovery.
Two women swap homes across the globe for the holidays and discover new love and self-worth. The story beautifully transitions into New Year’s, ending with hope and warmth.
Fun fact: The cottage in the film was entirely built from scratch in a field in England in under two weeks!
21. Last Holiday (2006)-PG-13
Queen Latifah shines as Georgia Byrd, a woman who, after a false diagnosis, decides to live life to the fullest. Cashing in her savings, she heads to Europe, charming everyone she meets, including Chef Didier (Gérard Depardieu). The only thing missing is her longtime crush, Sean Matthews (LL Cool J).
Her story unfolds between Christmas and New Year’s, celebrating courage, change, and joy.
Fun fact: Filmed at a real luxury spa in the Czech Republic!
22. Rent (2005)-PG-13
Set across a year beginning and ending on New Year’s Eve, this musical follows a group of friends chasing dreams, love, and meaning in New York City.
Fun fact: Many of the film’s cast members also appeared in the original Broadway production.
R Rated New Year Movies For A Mature Audience
23. When Harry Met Sally (1989)- R
This iconic rom-com ends with one of the most famous New Year’s Eve scenes in movie history. Harry runs through New York to confess his love for Sally just before midnight.
Fun fact: The final, tearful “I love you” speech delivered by Harry to Sally on New Year’s Eve was largely improvised by Billy Crystal and was a more serious, emotional scene.
See When Harry Met Sally here >>
24. Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)- R
Bridget’s story begins and ends at New Year’s parties, making it a perfect fit for this list. With her hilariously relatable resolutions and romantic misadventures, it’s the ultimate feel-good film for ringing in the new year.
At the start of the New Year, 32-year-old Bridget (Renée Zellweger) decides it’s time to take control of her life and start keeping a diary.
Fun fact: Renée Zellweger kept a real diary in character during filming to get into Bridget’s mindset.
See Bridget Jones’s Diary here >>
25. Trading Places (1983)-R
When two men from different worlds are tricked into swapping lives over the holidays, chaos erupts. It leads to a hilarious and wild New Year’s Eve party scene aboard a train.
Fun fact: Eddie Murphy improvised most of his lines during the train sequence.
26. Waiting to Exhale (1995)-R
Four friends navigate careers, family, and complicated love lives as they search for good men and fresh starts. Savannah (Whitney Houston) and Robin (Lela Rochon) struggle as “the other woman,” Bernadine (Angela Bassett) faces heartbreak after divorce, and Gloria (Loretta Devine) finds unexpected love with her neighbor.
As New Year’s approaches, each woman discovers the strength to let go of the past and embrace new beginnings.
Fun fact: Whitney Houston performed much of the soundtrack herself, making the music just as iconic as the movie.
27. Four Rooms (1995)-R
Set on New Year’s Eve, this dark comedy follows a bellhop (Tim Roth) navigating four bizarre hotel rooms, each story directed by a different filmmaker, including Quentin Tarantino.
Fun fact: Bruce Willis appears in one of the segments, uncredited!
28. The Godfather Part II (1972)-R
The Godfather Part II follows two parallel stories: the rise of young Vito Corleone (Robert De Niro) as he builds his crime empire in early 1900s New York, and the struggles of his son Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) decades later as he expands the family’s power.
While Michael fights to protect the business and his family, he becomes increasingly ruthless and isolated. The film explores themes of loyalty, corruption, and the heavy cost of power.
Among its many iconic scenes, the tense New Year’s Eve sequence where Michael Corleone confronts his brother Fredo stands out as a cinematic masterpiece.
29. About Time (2013)-R
A man who can time travel uses his gift to perfect his life and love story. Its message about cherishing everyday moments is a perfect reminder for a new year.
30. Money Train (1995)-R
Two subway cops plan to rob a train carrying millions in fares and all during a wild New Year’s Eve night in New York.
Related: Top Family Christmas Movies To Watch
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