18 movies to bring in the New Year with a bang if you're staying indoors
Staying home and watching movies on New Year’s Eve is in
Abhi toh party shuru hui hai — but you’re ready to put down your drink and head to bed. The hype of a New Year’s Eve gathering is often more trouble than it’s worth. There’s the slow crawl of traffic that makes you worry about spending midnight on the road, and the parties that don’t get going until 1 in the morning when you’ve been yawning since 10 pm. There’s the unattractive prospect of a bleary-eyed, heavy-headed Monday morning at work, and of pressing crowds amid a recent surge in Covid cases.
These are just a few good reasons why staying home for the occasion is a popular choice this year, with the majority of Indians surveyed choosing to celebrate indoors. The key to a fun New Year’s at home is lining up your entertainment so there’s never a dull moment. In addition to dumb charades and playlists that slap, check out these movies for every kind of New Year’s Eve homebody. Bonus: some suggestions include drinking games to make your night more memorable. Or not.
For the ones who always think the books were better
If you can’t think of a friend who always complains that the original book was better than the onscreen adaptation, we have some bad news: chances are, it’s you. While the frustration of seeing a movie or TV show that butchers a beloved book is real, not all adaptations are created equal. We’ve got some picks guaranteed to soothe the bookworm’s fragile heart, and usher them into the New Year with a new perspective. (Here are some gift ideas for a bookworm.)
Matilda the Musical
The newly released Matilda the Musical is that rare remake that continues a tradition of greatness. Roald Dahl’s novel was adapted into what would become a kid’s favourite of the ’90s, featuring child star Mara Wilson and Danny DeVito.
Just as the first film captured the book’s most appealing qualities, the musical has deftly sidestepped the pitfall of redundancy. The ‘revolting kids’ eat up this rendition of the Matilda stage musical while staying true to the original book’s spirit of rebellion and curiosity.
Drink every time you catch yourself singing along (yes, this game compounds as you go.)
Watch it on Netflix.
The Witcher
Among the many pieces of sad news this year was that The Witcher series will be recast in 2023. Inspired by the journey of Geralt, a bounty hunter of monsters who must contend with his own lonely place in this fantasy world, Superman actor Henry Cavill stars as the titular character. Parallel to his story is that of the powerful witch, Yennefer — sometimes an antagonist, a love interest, or both at once. The grey morality of The Witcher keeps it from falling into cliches.
Because the novel was turned into a videogame first, the series looks rich and detailed and is filled with layered performances and built-up storylines. Get immersed in the early seasons, as a change is on the horizon next year.
Watch it on Netflix.
Omkara
In this loose adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello, Vishal Bharadwaj takes the tragedy to new depths. A gorgeously told epic thriller with a fantastic soundtrack, the film is complete with a forbidden love affair, a political conspiracy, and lots of murder.
As the body count mounts up, it’s worth keeping in mind that seeking vengeance and harbouring suspicions are circular behaviours. Keep them up in the new year, and you might meet the same fate as Omkara.
Watch it on Zee5.
For the party of one
There’s no shame in going solo on New Year’s Eve. If your personal tradition for years has been to fib about having plans and then curl up in your comfy bed for the 31st, we’ve got you covered. When you say you’re already booked this year, you’ll be telling the truth. Make an appointment you can’t cancel with one of these movies.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Don’t go back to your day job in January without watching Walter Mitty’s life unfold into something bigger than he could have imagined. Desperate to find a missing photo negative so he doesn’t get in hot water at work, he goes on an adventure that ensures his humdrum life will never be the same. For the first time, Walter fulfils the many daydreams he usually keeps in his head.
Walter is so caught up in preserving what he has that he doesn’t go after what he could be. Vowing to chase your dreams might be cheesy, but it’s not half-bad as a New Year’s resolution.
Watch it on Apple TV.
Uncut Gems
Experience the excitement of a New Year’s Eve party without ever leaving your chair. Uncut Gems is an adrenaline bomb that will pump you up harder than any overenthusiastic bartender. From hope to terror and tearful anxiety, you can speed-run every emotion you had in 2022 and let it go — all while white-knuckling your way through two hours of Adam Sandler’s best work.
A New York jeweller is presented with a business bet too good to refuse that also turns out too good to be true. The stakes heighten at a breakneck pace until multiple lives hang in the balance. Who says being alone is boring?
Watch it on Netflix.
Bicycle Thieves
The best time to watch a tearjerker is when you can peacefully cry alone. This short, sweet Italian film about a father who takes his son to find their stolen bicycle is sure to warm your heart and bring a smile to your lips. In post-World War II Rome, an impoverished man lands a job, only to have his bicycle stolen. Unable to work without it, he and his son hunt for it around the city.
We don’t call every classic a must-watch, but this one sure is. Despite being a foreign film, its bittersweet message is universal. In 2023, make it a point to embrace the small, simple joys that get you through the most challenging times.
Watch it on YouTube.
For the one making travel plans already
Buy a new calendar and start pencilling in those leave days; it’s the year of solo travel. With hybrid workplaces and remote work, trips are easier to schedule than ever. Expanding your horizons doesn’t have to mean far-flung locales; your own home state might have more to offer than you know. Whether domestic or international, make it a priority to leave the familiar behind this year (like this prolific solo woman traveller).
The Darjeeling Limited
If you’ve checked the news lately, it’s impossible to miss the horror stories of travellers stranded at overstuffed airports or fights breaking out on flights. In 2023, resolve to rewind and take the train after watching The Darjeeling Limited. The film follows three American brothers grieving the loss of their father take a train journey across India with plans to unite with their mother.
With beautiful settings and Wes Anderson’s aesthetic signature, this film is a treat to watch. Seize the inspiration to plan a pan-India trip.
Watch it on Disney+ Hotstar.
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
In the ultimate tale of wanderlust, the uncertainty of a missed connection can haunt you until it comes around again. As much as we hate-watch Emily in Paris and dream of the Louvre, YJHD also showcases the beauty of travelling in India.
The imposing mountains of Manali – filmed in Kashmir’s picturesque Gulmarg – are equal to the Alps, and the traditional glory of Udaipur is unmatched. The freedom and once-in-a-lifetime connections you build when you travel can take place anywhere — as long as you’re willing to step out of your comfort zone.
Play ‘Never Have I Ever’ along with Bunny and Naina, and keep it going through the movie.
Watch it on Netflix.
Psycho
Okay, so this one is more about the perils of travel, should you be so unfortunate as to come across a place like Bates Motel. But that doesn’t make it any less fun to watch this spiralling psychological slasher by Alfred Hitchcock. When a thief on the run pulls up at the motel, she has no idea that what waits for her inside will be far worse than getting caught.
Somewhere in this movie is a vital travel safety tip: don’t choose a remote area to stay in. And always check the reviews.
Watch it on YouTube.
For the ones who still can’t let go of Christmas
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and some of us don’t want it to end. Christmas cheer doesn’t have to give way to resolutions and post-holiday drudgery just yet. The chore of taking down the decorations can wait until you feel a rush of motivation in January. Until then, hold on to that feeling and don’t stop believing — in Santa or the season of giving. Take the holly jolly energy into the new year with these Christmas watches.
Die Hard
Let’s settle this debate once and for all: in 2023, we declare Die Hard a bonafide Christmas movie. Featuring festive songs and decor, a rekindled romance, and a feel-good theme, it’s got all the necessary elements for a satisfying December watch. Combined with non-stop action and many machine guns, there’s just as much chaos as any good New Year rager.
While attempting to win back his wife, police detective John McClane gets caught in a hostage situation. In this action romance, you can guess where you’ll end up but not how you’ll get there.
Drink every time you hear someone say ‘Christmas’.
Watch it on Apple TV.
Sleepless in Seattle
Going from Christmas Eve on to Valentine’s Day, Nora Ephron’s ode to big-city love is charming even today. It’s a heartfelt film about new beginnings and learning to love again, with the uplifting rom-com ending you’d expect.
When Sam loses his wife and Annie starts to doubt her relationship, fate draws them both together. Strengthen your belief in true love and cheesy romance this year, or just in the mysterious workings of the universe.
Drink every time you see an American tourist attraction.
Watch it on Prime Video.
Home Alone
When two thieves decide to burgle a supposedly empty home, they don’t count on Kevin, the little boy who’s been left behind. This holiday favourite is perfect for rewatching with the family or on your own.
What’s not to love about a Christmas movie that dispenses with sappy messages about love and instead zeroes in on a child who’s left at home while his family goes on holiday? Better yet, when the child proves to be a strategic mastermind akin to Chanakya when it comes to rigging up pranks. Take Kevin’s jugaadu skills as inspiration to learn to change a tire in 2023.
Watch it on Disney+ Hotstar.
For the dedicated all-nighter
Just because you’re staying home for the New Year doesn’t mean you can’t live it up until the crack of dawn like your hard-partying counterparts. With these extra-long watches, the fun never ends — that is, until you pass out on the couch. Load up on snacks, settle down with a blanket, and get ready for a movie marathon that embraces the spirit of rest, relaxation, and binge-watching for the new year.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy
These films from the turn of the century still hold up to repeat viewing — though they require some serious stamina. Still, they’re lighthearted and filled with the fantastical, yet have enough gravitas to make them feel substantial and worthwhile. Purists will agree that the series must be watched one after the other to be fully appreciated as a New Year’s movie.
While all three mammoth films are a visual and emotional tour de force, if you’re narrowing it down to just one, our top pick is The Return of the King. Replete with heart-stopping battle sequences, triumphs over evil, and sweet unlikely friendships, it’ll renew your faith in humanity going into 2023.
Watch it on Prime Video.
Lagaan
When else will you find the time to revisit one of the finest films modern Bollywood has ever produced? Clocking in at nearly four hours, Lagaan is nevertheless a gripping watch from start to finish. It’s the ultimate underdog story, combining the suspense of a sports thriller with the indignities suffered by a village under British colonial rule. Aamir Khan and his motley cricket team keep us rooting for them until the end. Ghanan-ghanan your way into 2023 and feel ready to take on the most intimidating challenges.
Drink whenever a cricket rule is violated.
Watch it on Netflix.
The Godfather: Part II
The second instalment in Francis Ford Coppola’s mafia trilogy is widely considered to be even better than the legendary first film. The guard is changing in the Corleone family, and a son must step into the shoes of the Godfather.
Honour, romance, murder, betrayal — it’s all packed into a three-hour-plus cinema extravaganza. For crime fans, there are few better uses of your time on New Year’s Eve. It’ll remind you that, like Michael Corleone, your legacy will likely be very different from what you imagine, so there’s no point in trying to control it.
Watch it on Netflix.
For the hopeless nostalgics
Why should the New Year be all about looking to the future? The end of the year can be the perfect time to reflect on the past and indulge in a bit of a backward glance. Instead of worrying about the year you have coming up, these movies will remind you of all the special years you’ve had.
Titanic
Segueing from our selection of long movies, Titanic holds its own in terms of runtime. But where it stands out is in evoking both the mid-’90s and the 1910s with equal precision. With this double whammy, you can long for a bygone era and your idyllic youth in one fell swoop with this New Year’s movie.
The story of a couple doomed as much for the gulf between their social classes as their place on the Titanic is familiar to us all. Give in to the good old days with a rewatch.
Drink every time Jack says ‘Rose’, and vice versa.
Watch it on Disney+ Hotstar.
Sholay
Another long watch perfectly designed for New Year’s Eve viewing with the Veeru to your Jai. When the two petty criminals are tasked with stopping a marauding gang of dacoits, they step up to the task.
Take forward the timeless lessons of friendship, loyalty, and courage. Plus, you can practise your Gabbar impression (who are we kidding, we all have a version of it).
Drink every time Basanti flicks her whip at Dhanno.
Watch it on Prime Video.
Ocean’s Eleven
More than twenty years ago, Danny Ocean brought together a team of thieves to pull off a massive casino heist in Las Vegas. The rest — including two sequels and an all-women reboot — is history.
With a star-studded cast comprising Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and many more, a super-fun heist caper, and the glittering backdrop of Las Vegas, it’s no wonder this became an instant classic. Rewatch it and plan your 2023 with the same dedication and precision Danny employs to steal a bunch of money.
Watch it on Prime Video.
