The 15 best New Year’s Eve scenes in film
As we ring in 2024, we’re thinking about the cinematic celebrations we’d like to attend
Film Features Eve
Whether it’s the tension of the countdown, the promise of romance, or simply the idea of letting go of the past and moving on into an unknown future, there’s just something about New Year’s Eve that brings on new revelations, fresh insights, and enticing connections. The holiday also happens to make for a great narrative device in films. From declarations of love to an absurd train heist to a kiss of death from a heartbroken brother, nothing increases dramatic or romantic tension quite like a celebration in which drinking is encouraged and kissing is practically compulsory. It’s a real rollercoaster of emotions, for better or worse.
With that in mind, we’re bidding farewell to 2023 with the best New Year’s Eve scenes from films throughout the years. Read on for our picks, listed in chronological order of release.
12 Comments
Glad to see Strange Days included, it was the first NYE movie that came to my mind.
One of the very, very rare true cyberpunk films that feels like Gibson could’ve had a hand in it. And one of the rarer films with Deep Forest on the soundtrack!
“The Apartment” has not only the best New Years scenes of any movie but the best last scene and last line of dialogue of any movie. Just brilliant. If you’ve never seen it grab your love one and curl up with it. If you don’t have a loved one it’s even better. I can’t think of another film that has so much to say about what we should both offer and require from one another in love.
No “An Affair to Remember”? Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories
No love for the Poseidon Adventure?
Absolutely! the Poseidon Adventure is a movie I am trying to make a NYE tradition here at the Floydarosa
Weird, it says “New Year’s Eve” but The Hudsucker Proxy isn’t on the list, so it must be a typo. Or is it just assumed and so no need to include it?
I was about to be incensed you didn’t include Phantom Thread, but you did good, slideshow!
No love for the party in After The Thin Man, huh? for me it sets a standard.
What about the train fight scene in Snowpiercer?
Boogie Nights? PTA’s excellent long-take tracking through the party, ending so bleakly? That, my friend, is what new year’s is all about.
100% – it’s the pivotal moment in a truly great film. First one that jumped to my mind.