Looking for a feel-good New Year’s Eve watchlist? Here are 5 cosy, classic films perfect for the final night

Priya Prakash | Dec 31, 2025, 13:39 IST

<strong> 5 films that feel just right for New Year’s Eve</strong>

Image credit : IMDb | 5 films that feel just right for New Year’s Eve

Ring in the New Year with a cosy movie night, five films perfect for reflection, romance, and fresh starts at home.

As the final hours of the year tick away, not everyone wants loud music or crowded parties. For many, New Year’s Eve is the perfect time to slow down, get comfortable, and press play on a movie that fits the mood. Whether you are with family, friends, or enjoying your own company, a good film can make the night feel just as special. From stories that reflect on love, memory, and fresh starts, here are five movies that feel just right for a cosy New Year’s Eve watchlist.

New Year’s Eve (2011)

This one feels like the holiday itself. Set entirely around December 31, the film captures the excitement, chaos and hope. New Year’s Eve is a romantic comedy-drama that follows several stories happening at the same time in New York City. Couples, singles, strangers, and families all cross paths as they deal with love, loss, second chances, and big dreams on the last day of the year.

The movie features a large cast, including Sarah Jessica Parker, Michelle Pfeiffer, Katherine Heigl, Ashton Kutcher, Jessica Biel, Zac Efron, and Robert De Niro. It is available on Prime Video.

Image credit : IMDb | New Year’s Eve (2011)

Carol (2015)

While not focused on the countdown, Carol carries a quiet, reflective holiday feeling. It suits a night meant for soft lights, deep emotions, and thoughtful moments. This romantic drama is set in the 1950s and follows the growing bond between a married woman and a young photographer. Their connection slowly deepens during the holiday season, filled with longing and unspoken feelings.

Cate Blanchett stars as Carol, alongside Rooney Mara, bringing tenderness and depth to this emotional story. It is available on Netflix.

Holiday (1938)

This film is about choosing happiness over pressure, making it perfect for a night when many people reflect on their life choices and hopes for the year ahead. A romantic comedy-drama, Holiday follows Johnny Case, a self-made man who believes in enjoying life before settling down. When he falls in love with a woman from a very wealthy family, his ideas about freedom clash with her family’s expectations.

The film stars Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant, whose chemistry gives the story warmth and charm. It is available on Prime Video.

Image credit : IMDb | Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn in Holiday (1938)

Before Sunrise (1995)

This movie is quiet, thoughtful, and built around conversation, making it ideal for a calm night that invites reflection rather than noise. A romantic drama, the film follows two strangers who meet on a train and decide to spend one night walking and talking through Vienna. There are no big events, just honest conversations, curiosity, and connection. The film stars Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Andrea Eckert and Hanno Pöschl. It is available on Prime Video.

Image credit : IMDb | Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy in Before Sunrise (1995)

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

This film is about endings, memories, and growth, making it a powerful way to close one year and prepare emotionally for the next. A romantic sci-fi drama, the movie follows a man who chooses to erase memories of his former lover after learning she has done the same. As the process unfolds, the man revisits their relationship and questions whether forgetting love is truly the answer. The film stars Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet and Elijah Wood. It is available on Prime Video.

No matter how you welcome the new year, these films offer comfort, emotion, and a sense of connection, proving that sometimes, the best countdown happens on the couch.

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Priya Prakash