With the adage “out with the old, in with the new” as heard so frequently around the last week of the year, sometimes it’s good to ignore this piece of advice and revisit old classics. This is a list of our personal top 3 favorite picks for an amusing watch to not panic as we head into 2025. Remember to grab a couple snacks and a towel, and get ready to return to some classic quality cinema. In no particular order, of course. 

Sunset Boulevard (1950)

Take a blast to the past with the iconic Billy Wilder film Sunset Boulevard, which features the talented cast of William Holden & Gloria Swanson. It is a comedic film noir that focuses on its protagonist, Joe Gillis, a struggling screenwriter who finds himself entangled in the delusions of a former silent film star named Norma Desmond. This is an unforgettable piece of cinema that’ll entertain you and leave you with a deep appreciation for classic American films. Using black-and-white cinematography, Wilder achieves the fantastical aesthetic of the noir genre. The movie’s witty dialogue will keep you both laughing and on the edge of your seat. However, what makes it a perfect choice for a New Year film is the script’s involvement with the holiday, featuring an iconic scene of Norma Desmond’s New Year’s Eve Party. 

The Great Gatsby (2013)

A perfect movie that encapsulates the glitz and glamour of the holiday, Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby highlights decadence & celebration through screen like no other. This film has legendary performances from Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Macguire, and Carey Mulligan. As well as picturesque set designs, elaborate costuming, and skillful cinematography. Based on the classic F. Scott Fitzgerald novel, the story focuses on the friendship between Nick Caraway, and the perplexing millionaire known as Jay Gatsby. Taking place during the Roaring Twenties in New York, it’s a movie that relishes the iconic parties of the time, giving you the perfect atmosphere for your New Year’s Eve. 

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005)

A fantastic adaptation of a classic book series, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, features a stacked cast and all the charms of the original paper version of the story. This film begins with an unsuspecting New Year’s Eve party, which soon devolves into a wild and zany space adventure. With phenomenal acting from Martin Freeman, Zooey Deschanel, Mos Def, Bill Nighy, and even Alan Rickman, this movie will leave you with a good chuckle and even a bit of philosophical contemplation about the meaning of life, the universe, and everything as our band of wacky heroes go to discover this very idea. If you’ve never read the original book series or if you’re an avid fan, you’ll be able to enjoy the movie equally as well. This piece of cinema is an absolute must to add to your New Year’s movie watch list. It’ll leave you saying “so long, and thanks for all the fish” to 2024.