What to Watch for New Year's: A Selection of Films That Haven't Grown Stale

      To spare you the eternal torment of choice and save you from another marathon of “that same movie you’ve seen a hundred times,” I’ve put together a selection of films that work especially well during the New Year holidays. And it doesn’t matter whether you’re sitting at home under a blanket or have escaped the relatives to friends’ place.

      Comedies that don’t annoy

      The perfect option for those who want to laugh but aren’t ready for another movie about saving Christmas with corporate spirit.

      “Krampus” (Krampus, 2015, 16+)

      The whole family gathers for the holidays and — as often happens — they all hate each other. But when their arguing gets a little louder than usual, the Christmas demon Krampus decides, “Fine, sort it out yourselves.” The result is a dark, biting and very funny satirical anti-Christmas story where tree ornaments are far more dangerous than they seem.

      “The Nice Guys” (The Nice Guys, 2016, 18+)

      Not exactly a Christmas movie, but perfect for those who love laughs, absurdity and Ryan Gosling falling from all heights. This detective comedy drenched in a 70s vibe works as the ideal cure for holiday drowsiness.

      “Rare Exports” (Rare Exports, 2010, 16+)

      The Finns, as usual: they took Santa Claus apart, reassembled him, and turned him into an ancient monster. The result is a dark, strange and unexpectedly warm story. Well, almost.

      Dramas and romances

      Holidays are a good occasion to quietly feel wistful about eternal things without raising questions from family.

      “You Wouldn’t Even Dream…” (1981, 12+)

      A very simple and honest film about first love without cynicism or irony. About a feeling that exists in itself — without calculation, ironic distance or psychological games. Perfect for a quiet, slightly nostalgic evening.

      “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” (2017, 18+)

      Yes, this isn’t a “holiday” film in the usual sense. But the bitter humor, Frances McDormand’s incredible performance and the feeling of inner renewal are exactly what you need when the year is ending and life goes on. A film about anger, forgiveness and personal rebirth. A great alternative to banal holiday saccharine.

      “Manchester by the Sea” (Manchester by the Sea, 2016, 18+)

      If you want a truly deep emotional experience, you won’t find better. Winter landscapes, endless inner wounds and, most importantly, the feeling that life doesn’t want to be easy but sometimes still allows you to breathe.

      Thrillers and horror — for those who don’t want the holiday

      Not everyone loves winter for its coziness. Some need stronger emotions than mulled wine.

      “Black Christmas” (Black Christmas, 1974/2006, 18+/16+)

      Yes, it’s a slasher, and yes — it takes place on the eve of the holiday. It’s not a cute little thriller but one of the first films to teach viewers to fear calls from home. The atmosphere is wintry, and the fear is just the kind that beats sleep better than any alarm clock.

      “The Lodge” (The Lodge, 2019, 18+)

      A closed house, waist-high snow, strange kids and a stepmother who is clearly not in the right shape to handle psychological games. A cold, oppressive and very wintry horror that fits perfectly with the mood of “I just want to survive the holidays.”

      A “for the group” movie — so no one falls asleep

      Tested: goes great with pizza, champagne and giggles — “Riders of Justice” (Riders of Justice, 2020, 18+). Mads Mikkelsen plays a grim father who accidentally gathers a group of unlucky mathematicians to take revenge on some thugs. It’s simultaneously a comedy, a drama and a Christmas movie — in the strangest and best sense.

      For a quiet evening alone

      When you want silence, soft light and a film that will wrap you better than a wool blanket — “The French Dispatch” (The French Dispatch, 2021, 18+). Wes Anderson is the perfect choice for those who want beauty without commitments. Visual warmth, humor, retro atmosphere. New Year’s isn’t required here — only the desire to make the world around you a bit more aesthetic.