New Year’s Eve can be overwhelming for some people, which is why opting to stay in and watch a movie feels like the best option. This is an incredible plan, and however you choose to spend your NYE is great; you don’t have to fall for the “propaganda” of having to spend a ton of money and drink a lot of expensive booze to have fun and welcome the new year.
If your plan is to sit down, alone or with loved ones, and watch a movie that will captivate and entertain you, here are some amazing movies to kick off 2026. You can find a message within each or just enjoy it for its feel-good value and meaning. Happy New Year!
1
‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ (2022)
Everything Everywhere All at Once (EEAO) is one of the best movies of the 2020s, and with its numerous award wins and accolades, it’s not just an underrated cinematic feat. It’s, in fact, one of the most powerful movies about the flaws and virtues of being human. It fuses together stories that resonate across all ages, ethnicities, and statuses, beginning as chaos and unraveling into a warm, strong hug; beneath its absurd humor, action, and sci-fi chaos lies a deeply compassionate reflection on regret, aging, and choice.
EEAO follows the middle-aged Chinese laundromat owner, Evelyn (Michelle Yeoh), who is distant from her husband Waymond (Ke Huy Quan) and daughter Joy (Stephanie Hsu). One day, Evelyn begins multiverse-hopping where she must confront every version of the life she didn’t live. Starting 2026 with this movie will feel hopeful because it shows that meaning isn’t found in grand destinies, but in attention, kindness, and showing up again and again. It’s especially powerful in times when life feels fragmented or overwhelming, and with a core message that love is a conscious act in a meaningless universe, you won’t feel “fixed,” but seen by the end of it.
2
‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’ (2013)
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty was directed by Ben Stiller, who also stars as the eponymous Walter, and it’s a gentle “wake-up” movie about a person trying to live a fuller life. Though it was received with mixed reviews, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a visually stunning globetrotting film that moves calmly and patiently; special praise went to the directing style and stunning and expansive natural landscapes which depict Walter’s adventure as transformative and are meant to mirror his internal expansion.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty follows Walter Mitty (Stiller), a negative assets (photography) manager at Life magazine. Walter is quiet and likes to daydream, and he imagines the world through the film rolls a photographer sends him. After Walter notices a crucial photo is missing, he goes on an unexpected global adventure to track down the photographer and find it, not realizing he’s about to go on a life-changing adventure that will change his outlook on things. The movie is fully about appreciating what’s already in our lives so that we can be encouraged to do more for ourselves. If you want to feel inspired and spark change organically, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is the movie for that.
3
‘Before Sunrise’ (1995)
Richard Linklater‘s Before Sunrise with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy is one of the most romantic movies ever made. It’s also a hopeful film that believes in human connection despite it not being permanent or guaranteed to stay. The dialogue between the leads is natural, thoughtful, and emotionally intelligent, making Before Sunrise an endlessly rewatchable masterpiece. It’s the first movie in the Before trilogy with Hawke and Delpy, but often the most mentioned of the three as a film that permanently impacted the landscape.
Before Sunrise follows two strangers, Jesse (Hawke) and Céline (Delpy), who meet on a train in Europe and disembark in Vienna to spend the whole night walking, talking, and connecting before going their separate ways. Nothing “happens” in the traditional sense, and yet everything does, as the two have an obvious chemistry and impact each other with their openness. Before Sunrise captures that (very) rare feeling of being deeply understood by someone you’ve just met; it’s a love letter to curiosity and being fully present with another person, showing how life often changes through small encounters, not just dramatic turning points. It encourages openness without expectation and curiosity without fear.
4
‘Little Miss Sunshine’ (2006)
Little Miss Sunshine is the kind of warm hug of a movie that embraces imperfection and celebrates it, showing family and connection happen even in the most dysfunctional kinds of groups. It’s one of the best movies of 2006, and it marked the decade as a heartwarming dark comedy and a coming-of-age masterpiece; even Abigail Breslin, who was 10 at the time, earned an Oscar nomination. Every character is flawed and slightly broken, but that only makes them relatable, and it’s exactly why Little Miss Sunshine works so well.
Little Miss Sunshine follows the dysfunctional Hoover family embarking on a road trip to support their youngest member Olive’s (Breslin) dream of competing in a beauty pageant. Their road trip turns into a chance for the family to get to know each other and find support and solace, depicting how showing up for each other matters more than anything. You’ll love to welcome 2026 with Little Miss Sunshine because it shows that finding joy in life doesn’t require us to be perfect. You finish it feeling lighter, less alone, and more accepting of life’s messiness.
5
‘Frances Ha’ (2012)
For those feeling behind, Frances Ha might be the sort of movie that will understand you and feel like an affirmation. Greta Gerwig stars as the awkward and relatable Frances, who stumbles around trying to find her footing in New York and life. Frances Ha is a movie filled with hope and reassurance that things will turn out fine and that everyone struggles in ways we can’t tell; comparison becomes the thief of joy as we envy others on their successes, without ever being aware of what’s really happening in their lives. But, Frances isn’t lost because she’s lazy or incapable, but because she follows her own pace in a world that requires complete certainty in one’s actions.
Frances Ha follows Frances (Gerwig), an aspiring dancer navigating friendship, ambition, and adulthood while trying to find a place to live in New York City. With the changes her roommate Sophie goes through, Frances feels left behind to fend for herself, often looking back at Sophie’s successes. Frances Ha depicts the awkwardness of the in-between, financial instability, and emotional vulnerability. Instead of setting 20-somethings in rich neighborhoods with vague jobs and trying to make them feel relatable, Frances Ha embraces the realistic times of being “unfound” as character-defining and often necessary parts of life.
6
‘Amélie’ (2001)
Amélie is often considered one of the greatest movies ever made, and its curiosity about life and all its wonders sets it apart from numerous other feel-good films. Beyond the stunning art direction and cinematography that’s full of life and wonder, Amélie is a superbly acted movie that feels like a coming-of-age story despite its protagonist being an adult woman. It’s a romance, drama, comedy, and a story about the true power of kindness in a cold world; it’s a universally loved movie that celebrates life, and is the perfect watch for the start of a brand-new year.
Amélie follows Amélie Poulain (Audrey Tautou), a shy Parisian woman who decides to secretly improve the lives of those around her by doing small acts of kindness for them. Amélie, however, was homeschooled and isolated most of her life, and, therefore, she avoids her own emotions while doing things for others. After she meets a quirky man named Nico (Mathieu Kassovitz), Amélie feels the nudge of those she helped, and is encouraged to become vulnerable and open. The film sees beauty in the everyday and invites viewers to notice the poetry of ordinary life; since the world is in a fragile state at the moment, maybe this is exactly what all of us need.
7
‘The Truman Show’ (1998)
Peter Weir‘s The Truman Show starring Jim Carrey impacted cinema forever. This warm film is still as relevant as ever, considered to show the gripes of reality TV and the obsession with watching others live their lives to escape ours. However, the message of The Truman Show is a lot more wholesome and encouraging—it’s an invitation to observe and become more honest with ourselves, and fight for personal autonomy. If you’re looking for more personal freedom in the new year, The Truman Show could be what helps spark change or increase motivation to be more diligent in life.
The Truman Show is about Truman Burbank (Carrey), a man who slowly discovers that his entire life is a reality TV show. After an extra he falls for tells him the truth about his life, Truman is found at a crossroads, and he must decide whether to leave the only world he’s ever known, or try and stay in it even if it’s a lie. The Truman Show explores freedom, fear, and authenticity and Carrey portrays the lead with a warmth and innocence that makes him instantly likable. With an iconic ending and an even more iconic premise, this film could be the push someone needs to take action and take the reins.
8
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ (1946)
Although It’s a Wonderful Life is considered a Christmas movie and people traditionally watch it on Christmas Eve, you can always rewatch it around NYE. This is one of the quintessential movies about compassion and empathy, leaving viewers hopeful and affirmed; it’s the perfect movie to watch in moments of self-doubt and transition, sending the message of “you matter more than you know.” It’s a Wonderful Life was, interestingly, a box office failure, and its director, Frank Capra, was considered to have “lost touch.” However, today, this movie is acknowledged as one of the greatest films of all time, and a profoundly influential story.
It’s a Wonderful Life follows George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart), a man on the brink of despair who is contemplating suicide on Christmas Eve in 1946. His guardian angel, Clarence Odbody (Henry Travers), appears before him and shows him just how profoundly his life has mattered to others, and how much he’s impacted people. The movie shows what exhaustion, regret, and disappointment feel like, but is also deeply infused with a genuine affection for humanity, hopefulness, and understanding. It’s a movie you can watch at any time, any day, and feel its message.
9
‘Cinema Paradiso’ (1988)
Cinema Paradiso is an emotional film about role models and people who shape us. It’s also a love letter to art and, in particular, cinema, and how they impact our memories, lives, and relationships. This coming-of-age film was written and directed by Giuseppe Tornatore, and it’s one of the most influential films of all time; it’s often said to have revitalized Italy’s film industry. With a gorgeous musical score by Ennio Morricone and emotional storytelling, Cinema Paradiso celebrates cinema as a vessel for dreams, desire, and living life to its full potential.
Cinema Paradiso follows Salvatore (Jacques Perrin), a successful filmmaker who is reminded of his childhood in a small Sicilian village, after he learns about the death of his old friend Alfredo (Philippe Noiret). The movie enters Salvatore’s memories and describes his friendship with Alfredo, who was the local cinema’s projectionist, and who ignited Salvatore’s love of movies. Through this bond, the cinema becomes a sanctuary, a classroom, and the emotional cornerstone of the entire community. Cinema Paradiso is also a lesson about growth, moving forward, and keeping those we loved and lost in our memories; if you’re feeling like reminiscing and getting nostalgic, this is the movie for you.
10
‘Forrest Gump’ (1994)
Forrest Gump is one of the most beloved movies of all time. Despite it showing how much life can go wrong and hurt us, it carries a lot of love for the protagonist, the eponymous Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks), and keeps him hopeful and persistent in everything he tries to do. He’s not successful because of a strategy or being smarter than others; Forrest succeeds in his ventures because of how sincere, genuine, and kind he remains at every single moment. To start 2026 with Forrest Gump is to be reminded that a good life can be built through patience, love, and faith in oneself.
Forrest Gump tells the story of Forrest Gump (Hanks), an Alabama man whose simplicity often turns out to be his superpower. We move across several decades of American history in the mid-20th century, from war and protest to pop culture and politics, all through Forrest’s eyes and experiences. The movie shows how Forrest remains incorrupt in a mad world, leading his life with love and integrity. The movie is often praised for its emotional weight and beautiful writing, and the sentence of life being “like a box of chocolates” is often the motto for many people who resonate with Forrest’s story. In a culture that often equates worth with intelligence, speed, or ambition, Forrest Gump offers grace to anyone wishing to take their own speed and path in life.