5 excellent Netflix films to enjoy on New Year’s Eve

      If you’re anything like me, you likely prefer spending New Year’s Eve at home with family while enjoying a great movie. For anyone uncertain about which film to choose this New Year’s, Netflix has plenty of options. The streaming service hosts a vast collection of films that can transform December 31 into an unforgettable movie night.

      Selecting just one film can be challenging due to the numerous movies available on Netflix from both 2025 and previous years. However, to start the New Year on a high note, make sure to watch at least one of these five films on Netflix.

      **Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025)**

      Netflix / Netflix

      Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) returns in this fresh whodunit from writer-director Rian Johnson. Wake Up Dead Man tracks the famous detective as he probes the “miraculous” murder of Msgr. Wicks (Josh Brolin) at a small-town church, alongside the new priest, Rev. Jud (Josh O’Connor). Together, they uncover unsavory secrets related to Wicks and his most loyal followers.

      Like its predecessors in the Knives Out series, Wake Up Dead Man boasts an excellent ensemble cast in a captivating murder mystery that strikes a balance between intense drama and humor. While not a typical New Year’s Eve film, its profound insights into religion and themes of love, forgiveness, and support provide a sense of renewal to kickstart 2026.

      Watch Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery on Netflix.

      **Phantom Thread (2017)**

      Focus Features / Focus Features

      Long before captivating audiences with One Battle After Another, director Paul Thomas Anderson brought us this acclaimed period drama. Phantom Thread follows the domineering dressmaker Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) in 1950s London as he embarks on a dysfunctional romance with Alma (Vicky Krieps). Though Alma becomes Reynolds’s muse, the dynamics shift as she begins to defy her controlling partner.

      Their interdependent relationship reaches a peak at a significant New Year’s Eve party, but it only spirals into further toxicity from there, and I mean that quite literally. While Reynolds and Alma may not be the ideal couple for 2026, their narrative in Phantom Thread offers truly compelling cinema.

      Watch Phantom Thread on Netflix.

      **Forrest Gump (1994)**

      Paramount Pictures / Paramount Pictures

      With each passing year, another chapter unfolds in history. Forrest Gump showcases this through the eyes of its central character (Tom Hanks). In this classic dramedy by Robert Zemeckis, we follow Forrest’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming a college football star, Vietnam War veteran, professional ping-pong player, and successful shrimping entrepreneur.

      His remarkable life intersects with iconic figures like Elvis Presley, John Lennon, and Richard Nixon, unknowingly shaping American history. The film’s highlight is Forrest’s complex relationship with his childhood love Jenny (Robin Wright) and his former platoon leader, Lt. Dan (Gary Sinise). While the New Year is uncertain, Forrest Gump encourages viewers to embrace life, no matter how unpredictable or challenging it may be.

      Watch Forrest Gump on Netflix.

      **Groundhog Day (1993)**

      Columbia Pictures / Columbia Pictures

      After a busy year, many of you might be yearning for a fresh start in the New Year. Phil Connors (Bill Murray), however, finds himself in a perpetual loop, endlessly reliving the same day in Punxsutawney, PA, in Groundhog Day.

      This classic comedy offers plenty of laughter, but its thought-provoking narrative urges viewers to examine their own lives. Some might resonate with Phil as each day seems increasingly monotonous and devoid of meaning. Nevertheless, his journey in Groundhog Day inspires us to cherish each day, a message that should motivate viewers as they enter 2026.

      Watch Groundhog Day on Netflix.

      **Stand by Me (1986)**

      Columbia Pictures / Columbia Pictures

      Many of us are still coming to terms with the recent passing of director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, this December. In the wake of this tragic event, Reiner's fans have been honoring him by revisiting his cherished films, including Stand by Me. Adapted from Stephen King’s novella, The Body, this coming-of-age story follows four friends in the 1950s as they embark on a journey into the woods to locate a deceased body, facing challenges like a fierce dog, a speeding train, leeches, and local bullies along the way.

      Stephen King reportedly embraced Reiner immediately after seeing the film, and it’s easy to see why. Stand by Me is a nostalgic and touching exploration of childhood, highlighting the difficulties of growing up and the beauty of friendship. While growing older each year can be tough, this film reassures us that we’re not alone in that experience.

      Watch Stand By Me on