What better way to get pumped up for the New Year than to catch some exciting movies to get you in the feels? Whether it is romance films or nostalgic ones, one of my favourite things to do to welcome the New Year is through watching movies set during the time! Here are 10 films you could check off the list before 2021.
New Year’s Eve (2011)
A romantic comedy directed by Garry Marshall, New Year’s Eve is aptly named and perfect to get you in high-spirits to welcome the new year. With a huge cast ensemble you can expect to see many Hollywood stars including Robert DeNiro, Zac Efron, Bon Jovi and more! Sharing the spirit of love, hope, forgiveness and more on one of the most highly celebrated nights of the year, watch the interconnectedness of humanity through this film. A rockstar reconnects with his old lover, a singer meets a killjoy on her way to a gig, a nurse stays with a dying patient as they wait for the new year to arrive - find a story that resonates with you in the film!
Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
A classic romance film, Sleepless in Seattle, is an emotional tear-jerker starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan centering around a recently widowed man’s son’s journey to find his father a partner through a radio talk-show. Despite being engaged, Annie Reed finds herself gravitating towards Sam Baldwin who gets on the line of the radio program thanks to his son. While the two main characters spend most of the movie apart, you cannot deny the chemistry between the two. Heartwarming and sweet, this film will surely tug on your heartstrings.
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Arguably one of the best romantic comedies ever, When Harry Met Sally, this film features some of the most unforgettable New Year Eve scenes! Narrating the life of Harry and Sally, this movie explores the idea of whether a man and woman can be just friends. They first meet as college graduates where they argue during a car ride about platonic friendships between men and women. Ten years later, they meet again and attempt to put the idea to the test as they try to stay friends without letting sex change their perception or friendship with each other. Played by Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, the sharp interplay between the two will definitely leave you at the edge of your seats.
Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
A movie that starts and ends on New Year’s, Bridget Jones’s Diary follows the life of Bridget Jones who is determined to look for love in a year during which she keeps a diary and tries her best to take control of her life. The character embodied by Renee Zellweger, this film is a testament to new beginnings and the excitement of going into the new year. Get inspired and go out of your comfort zone in 2021, go on new adventures and try all the things you haven’t yet done!
Phantom Thread (2017)
Set in 1950s London, Phantom Thread's most pivotal moment of film takes place during a New Year’s Eve party when a romance blossoms between Reynold Woodcock, a renowned dressmaker and a young, determined woman, Alma who later becomes his muse and lover. Dive into the brilliant world of 1950s London, where you can learn more about British fashion through Woodcock’s job of dressing movie stars, heiresses and more. Timeless and elegant, this dark and funny film is definitely the movie to watch as the year ends!
Forrest Gump (1994)
An iconic classic, Forrest Gump is always a good movie to watch regardless of the time. Despite there being only one scene that takes place during the New Year, this heartwarming tale is perfect to get you inspired for the new year. Slow witted, Forrest lives an incredibly adventurous life as a college football star, veteran combating in Vietnam and more, all with an optimism that is unrivalled. With many lessons to learn and with a lovable character like Forrest, why not watch this film?
The Age of Adaline (2015)
Chronicling the eventful life of the immortal character, Adaline, The Age of Adaline is an exciting tale of how Adaline builds an intricate life while keeping her immortality a secret for everyone around her. Played by Blake Lively, Adaline later meets a man, Ellis Jones, who makes her solitary years complicated as she has to face the truths head on. Her passion for life and romance revived now because of Jones, Adaline has to make a decision that will change the dynamics of her life. Plus, it’s always fun to watch how Adaline dresses up every New Year’s Eve party she goes to!
While You Were Sleeping (1995)
While You Were Sleeping starring Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman, following a Chicago Transit Authority token collector, Lucy, who gets mistaken for the fiancee of a coma patient, Peter, and later comes to a conflict on New Year’s Eve. After being mistaken as the fiancee and not correcting it, Lucy was invited into Peter’s home by his family where she falls in love with Peter’s shy younger brother, Jack. Distinguishing between real and imagined love, this romance film is great for your thoughts as you head into the new year.
Snowpiercer (2013)
If you are looking for something more serious and thought-provoking, try watching Snowpiercer directed by famed director Bong Joon-ho! A futuristic film where a failed climate-change experiment has killed all life except for the few who boarded the Snowpiercer, the film touches on the class system. In a post-apocalyptic ice age, Curtis played by Chris Evans, gets frustrated in the supertrain and risks it all by leading a revolt to take control of the engine and change the future of the world. By the time, the movie ends, you will be sitting deep in thought!
About Time (2013)
About Time explores the idea of time travel and doing over. Don’t you ever wish you could do over certain events in your life? Lucky for the main character, Tim, all the men in his family have the ability to time-travel and this film follows how his power affects his love life. While he cannot quite change history, he tries his best to use his prowess of time-travel to ensure that certain things in his life are well-set and can be manipulated to fit his own liking. As his life progresses, however, he slowly learns that his power could not always save him from the problems of ordinary life. A simple story to enjoy, sit back and welcome the new year with this movie!
