Far Out Magazine has published a list of 10 films ideal for syncing with New Year's Eve celebrations. The selections feature scenes of parties, countdowns, and milestone moments tied to the holiday. Published on December 31, 2025, the article suggests timestamps to align key moments with midnight.
Far Out Magazine's latest feature offers movie enthusiasts a curated selection to enhance New Year's Eve festivities. Titled 'The 10 best movies to count down with on New Year’s Eve,' the piece highlights films connected to the holiday through parties, disasters, or significant events. It encourages viewers to time their watches for synchronized midnight experiences, advising trial runs to ensure accuracy.
The list begins with Robert Zemeckis' 1994 film 'Forrest Gump,' where the protagonist and Lieutenant Dan endure a dreary 1971 New Year's Eve in a bar; start at 10:55 p.m. for alignment. Vincente Minnelli's 1954 'An American in Paris' ends with a lavish party in the city, near the close of its 118-minute runtime, suggesting festive attire like chessboard patterns.
Ronald Neame's 1972 disaster 'The Poseidon Adventure' unfolds on a capsizing New Year's Eve cruise ship, with the tilt occurring around 25 minutes in. Todd Haynes' 2015 'Carol' captures a first kiss at a New Year's party between Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara; begin at 10:45 p.m. John G. Avildsen's 1976 'Rocky' features the iconic steps montage if started at 10:42 p.m., leading into the January 1 fight.
Sharon Maguire's 2001 'Bridget Jones’s Diary' opens at a New Year's party, with Renée Zellweger's character meeting Colin Firth's Mark Darcy four minutes in. Paul Thomas Anderson's 2017 'Phantom Thread' includes a precise countdown; start at 10:14 p.m. to see Daniel Day-Lewis' expression at midnight.
Billy Wilder's 1950 'Sunset Boulevard' has a tense party scene at 38 minutes, culminating in Gloria Swanson's character's suicide attempt. Francis Ford Coppola's 1974 'The Godfather Part II' delivers Al Pacino's chilling 'I know it was you, Fredo' line at 1 hour 44 minutes during a family betrayal at a New Year's gathering.
Topping the list is Rob Reiner's 1989 'When Harry Met Sally…,' where the leads unite at a New Year's party; start at 10:27 p.m. The article honors Reiner, noting his loss in 2025 as a somber note amid the recommendations. These picks span genres, from romance to drama, providing varied ways to ring in 2026.
