New Year's Movies 2026: 20+ Best Films to Ring in the New Year on Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ & Max

Happy New Year 2026! As we bid farewell to 2025 and welcome the promise of a brand new year, there's no better way to celebrate than with movies that capture the magic, reflection, and hope that comes with turning the page to a fresh start. This comprehensive guide features 20+ unforgettable films perfect for New Year's Eve 2026—from romantic comedies with iconic midnight kisses to thought-provoking dramas about second chances, time-traveling adventures, and celebration-filled ensemble pieces. Whether you're hosting a watch party or enjoying a quiet night in, these handpicked selections streaming on Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Max, and Prime Video will help you ring in 2026 with style, laughter, and maybe even a few happy tears.

Romantic New Year's Eve Classics: Love at Midnight

Nothing says New Year's Eve like a romantic comedy with that perfect midnight kiss. These beloved rom-coms feature unforgettable New Year's moments that have become cinematic tradition.

When Harry Met Sally

The ultimate New Year's Eve rom-com featuring the most iconic midnight confession as Harry realizes Sally is the one he wants to spend New Year's with—and every year after.

Multiple Platforms

The Apartment

Billy Wilder's Oscar-winning masterpiece climaxes on New Year's Eve with Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine in a timeless romance about second chances and choosing love.

Max

Sleepless in Seattle

Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks star in this heartwarming romance where New Year's Eve becomes a turning point in a magical journey toward destined love across the country.

Hulu

New Year's Eve

Garry Marshall's star-studded ensemble follows multiple New York stories intertwining on the biggest night of the year, featuring Sarah Jessica Parker, Ashton Kutcher, and Michelle Pfeiffer.

Prime Video

When Harry Met Sally stands as THE definitive New Year's Eve movie—Rob Reiner's 1989 masterpiece features Billy Crystal's unforgettable sprint through Manhattan to profess his love to Meg Ryan at a NYE party, delivering one of cinema's most quoted romantic monologues. The Apartment showcases Billy Wilder's genius with its New Year's Eve climax where Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine finally connect after corporate betrayals and heartbreak, winning Best Picture at the 1961 Oscars. Sleepless in Seattle weaves New Year's magic into Nora Ephron's cross-country romance, while New Year's Eve delivers romantic comedy chaos with intersecting love stories across Times Square. These films prove that midnight on December 31st creates the perfect backdrop for love confessions and new beginnings.

Time, Reflection & New Beginnings: Philosophical New Year Films

New Year's Eve naturally inspires reflection on time, choices, and fresh starts. These thought-provoking films explore those themes with humor, heart, and profound insights about appreciating life's precious moments.

About Time

Richard Curtis's magical romance follows Domhnall Gleeson as he discovers his family's time-travel ability, learning profound lessons about treasuring every ordinary moment—especially New Year's celebrations.

Netflix

Groundhog Day

Bill Murray's Phil Connors lives February 2nd repeatedly, learning that every day—including New Year's Day—deserves to be lived with intention, kindness, and appreciation for second chances.

Multiple Platforms

Forrest Gump

Tom Hanks's Oscar-winning performance includes a poignant New Year's Eve scene in Vietnam, making this epic journey through American history perfect for reflection as one year ends and another begins.

Multiple Platforms

Trading Places

Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd star in this hilarious comedy where New Year's becomes the perfect moment for reinvention, revenge, and second chances against the wealthy manipulators who tried to ruin them.

Prime Video

About Time transforms Richard Curtis's signature romantic comedy style into something profoundly moving—Domhnall Gleeson's character learns that time travel can't create perfect moments, but appreciating ordinary days with loved ones creates true magic. The film's New Year's sequences emphasize celebrating life's fleeting beauty. Groundhog Day, while technically set on February 2nd, delivers the ultimate New Year's message: every day offers a fresh start to become better. Bill Murray's transformation from cynicism to compassion mirrors the self-improvement resolutions we make each January 1st. Forrest Gump spans decades of American history with Tom Hanks's endearing innocent navigating momentous changes—perfect for New Year reflection on how we've grown. Trading Places brings 1980s comedy gold with Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd executing an elaborate New Year's Eve revenge scheme, proving it's never too late to turn your fortunes around and start fresh.

Epic Celebrations & Classic Hollywood: New Year's Spectacles

Some films feature New Year's Eve as a backdrop for grand adventures, heists, disasters, and unforgettable parties that capture the excitement and unpredictability of the biggest night of the year.

Ocean's Eleven

Steven Soderbergh's stylish heist masterpiece culminates during a massive boxing event with New Year energy, as George Clooney and his crew execute the perfect Vegas casino robbery.

Max

The Poseidon Adventure

This 1972 disaster classic begins with a lavish New Year's Eve celebration aboard a luxury liner before a tidal wave flips everything upside down—literally. Gene Hackman leads survivors' harrowing escape.

Fandango at Home

The Godfather Part II

Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece features an unforgettable New Year's Eve sequence in Cuba as Michael Corleone witnesses revolution, making it perfect viewing for reflecting on power, family, and legacy.

Multiple Platforms

Boogie Nights

Paul Thomas Anderson's 1970s adult film industry epic features intense New Year's Eve scenes marking transitions and transformations for Mark Wahlberg's Dirk Diggler and ensemble cast.

Paramount+

Ocean's Eleven brings Vegas swagger and style to New Year's viewing—Steven Soderbergh's 2001 remake features George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and an all-star crew executing three simultaneous Las Vegas casino heists during fight night festivities. The film's sleek cinematography, jazzy soundtrack, and clever plot twists make it endlessly rewatchable New Year's entertainment. The Poseidon Adventure remains the definitive New Year's disaster film—Irwin Allen's 1972 classic shows a luxury ocean liner's extravagant NYE celebration interrupted by catastrophe, with Gene Hackman leading survivors through capsized corridors in edge-of-your-seat suspense. The Godfather Part II elevates New Year's Eve to operatic tragedy with its stunning Havana sequence where Al Pacino's Michael Corleone watches both a celebration and revolution unfold. Boogie Nights uses New Year's Eve 1979-1980 to mark seismic industry and personal changes for Paul Thomas Anderson's ensemble, featuring memorable soundtrack moments and dramatic turning points.

More New Year Viewing: Hidden Gems & Festival Favorites

Beyond the classics, these additional films offer unique New Year's perspectives—from indie darlings to cult favorites that deserve spots on your NYE watchlist.

The Apartment

Jack Lemmon loans his apartment to executives for affairs in Billy Wilder's Oscar-winning classic, building to a perfect New Year's Eve romantic resolution.

Max

Four Rooms

Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez join forces for four interconnected New Year's Eve stories in a Los Angeles hotel, featuring Tim Roth's increasingly frazzled bellhop.

Multiple Platforms

Sunset Boulevard

Billy Wilder's noir masterpiece about Hollywood's dark side includes a devastating New Year's Eve party, starring Gloria Swanson as faded silent film star Norma Desmond.

Paramount+

The Apartment

Winner of Best Picture at the 1961 Academy Awards, this Billy Wilder classic remains the gold standard for New Year's Eve romance in cinema.

Max

Four Rooms showcases indie filmmaking talent with its anthology structure—directors Allison Anders, Alexandre Rockwell, Robert Rodriguez, and Quentin Tarantino each contribute a chapter following Tim Roth's bellhop through increasingly bizarre New Year's Eve scenarios in a crumbling Hollywood hotel. Sunset Boulevard demonstrates Billy Wilder's mastery again with a New Year's party sequence dripping in Hollywood gothic atmosphere as William Holden navigates Gloria Swanson's delusional world of faded stardom. These films prove that New Year's Eve provides rich material for every genre—from screwball comedy to psychological noir.

How to Stream These New Year's Movies in 2026

Most of these New Year's classics are available across major streaming platforms: • **Netflix** (netflix.com) - About Time, Groundhog Day, and rotating classic selections • **Hulu** (hulu.com) - Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally (availability varies) • **Disney+** (disneyplus.com) - Select classic films and family-friendly options • **Max** (max.com) - The Apartment, Ocean's Eleven, classic Warner Bros. library • **Prime Video** (amazon.com/primevideo) - Trading Places, New Year's Eve, extensive rental library • **Paramount+** (paramountplus.com) - Boogie Nights, Sunset Boulevard, Paramount classics Streaming availability changes frequently, so check individual platforms for current listings. Many films are also available for rental or purchase through digital retailers like Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu.

Planning Your Perfect New Year's Eve Movie Marathon 2026

Create the ultimate New Year's Eve viewing experience with these curated marathon suggestions: **Romantic Comedy Marathon** (6-8 hours): Start with When Harry Met Sally for the ultimate NYE romance, follow with The Apartment for classic Hollywood charm, add Sleepless in Seattle for 90s nostalgia, and finish with About Time for heartfelt reflection before midnight. **Time & Reflection Double Feature** (4 hours): Pair About Time's time-travel romance with Groundhog Day's repeated-day comedy for philosophical musings on appreciating life's moments and making every day count—perfect pre-midnight viewing. **Epic Ensemble Night** (6 hours): Combine Ocean's Eleven's stylish heist action with The Godfather Part II's operatic drama, ending with New Year's Eve's interconnected rom-com stories for variety and star power. **Classic Hollywood Triple Feature** (7 hours): Journey through cinema history with The Apartment (1960), The Poseidon Adventure (1972), and Boogie Nights (1997) for three distinct eras of New Year's storytelling. No matter which films you choose, these New Year's movies capture the magic of turning the calendar—reflection on the past year, hope for the future, and celebration of the present moment with loved ones. From Billy Wilder's timeless romances to Bill Murray's comedic genius, from disaster epics to heist capers, there's a perfect New Year's film for every mood and viewing party. Happy New Year 2026! May your year ahead be filled with great movies, unforgettable moments, and dreams coming true. Here's to new beginnings, second chances, and the magic that happens when the clock strikes midnight. Cheers to 2026!