The 20 best films to watch heading into the new year

There's probably no better movie to watch this holiday season than one named after the day you're celebrating. This movie features several singles whose lives become intertwined on New Year's Eve. The production stars several high-profile actors, including Halle Berry, Lea Michelle, and Jon Bon Jovi.

In this classic movie starring Whitney Houston, the four characters spend New Year's Day talking about their lives, particularly their careers and romantic relationships.

Ice Cube stars in the hilarious, family-friendly film Are We There Yet? In it, his character embarks on a road trip with his girlfriend's kids to see her on New Year's Day. However, he runs into several problems along the way, including car troubles and bodily fluids (induced by the movie's young stars, Kevin and Lindsey). 

Disney's High School Musical starts on December 31 and features the movie's two stars, Troy and Gabriella, singing romantically to each other during a night of karaoke. By the movie's end, both characters, played by Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, fall madly in love.

In this movie, the lead character learns that he can time-travel. So, what does he do? He goes back in time to fix a kiss he screwed up on New Year's Eve. Sounds like the perfect use of an extraordinary gift.

It might not be the best story, but everybody loves celebrating the holidays with Charlie Brown and his crew of friends.

In Holidate , the movie's two leads decide to fake a romantic relationship after growing tired of people's questions about their love lives. At the beginning of the film, things between Sloane and Jackson (Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey) start as a scheme to fool others, but by the end, their feelings for each other become real.

In this movie, which takes place on New Year's Eve, the movie's lead character (Renée Zellweger) decides to keep track of the following year by documenting every detail of her life in a blank diary.

Any movie with Eddie Murphy in it is sure to be a good time, and that's undoubtedly true for Trading Places. Plus, it takes place during the holiday season (Thanksgiving to New Year), so it's one you can watch repeatedly.

Although Harry and his crew of wizards and witches don't celebrate New Year's Day in the Harry Potter franchise, they do celebrate Christmas, and with the holidays being so close together, it feels like another perfect movie to watch before closing out the year.

Most New Year's Eve movies are about love, luck, or magic. However, Ocean's Eleven is about none of those. The action movie follows a group set to carry out a holiday heist. There's action, action, and even more action.

In this 1950s film, two cruise-goers fall madly in love and even share the sweetest New Year's Day kiss. The only sketchy thing about their relationship is that both characters are married to other people. Talk about drama!

Phantom Thread isn't all that interesting, if we're being honest. But it does have fancy wardrobes, lavish sets, and a New Year's Eve party that'll make you wish you were partying with royals.

In Snowpiercer, all of the film's characters are forced to live on a decked-out train that is separated by class due to climate change. They celebrate a new year every time the train has traveled the globe. Life like this sounds torturous if you ask us.

In this emotional, romantic comedy, Tom Hanks' character makes us all cry after he envisions a rooftop scene with his late wife. “Here’s to us," he says.

The original Broadway production of Rent features the track "Happy New Year." That's reason enough to give this award-winning production a stream on the exciting holiday.

Who wouldn't want to spend New Year's Day with Carrie Bradshaw and her fabulous crew of friends from Sex and the City? We certainly would.

In Four Rooms, a hotel bellhop is put to the test on his first day, which also happens to be the start of the new year. He travels from room to room, helping needy guests while trying his very best.

A Long Way Down isn't necessarily a happy film. It follows a group of individuals who planned on ending their lives on New Year's Day. However, after meeting each other and developing meaningful bonds, the newfound friends learn they have something bigger worth living for.

If Ocean's Eleven wasn't enough, fans of action movies can get even more in the New Year's Eve film Money Train. But it's nothing sweet. The film is another intense money heist.