3 movies that make for the perfect cinematic countdown to NYE 

As New Years Eve looms large, so does the eternal question of how to ring it in. 

On the streets of India, midnight madness will surely take hold. Up in our homes, though, the vibe is decidedly different. There are no overpriced club covers to pay, no impossible traffic to negotiate, and no crowded bars to weave through. Instead, what we have for you is a meticulously curated set of cinematic choices. This is a strategic four-part roadmap designed to ferry you smoothly from 2025 into 2026. 

The Dinner Theatre: Wake Up Dead Man (Netflix) 

The plan begins at 10:00 PM alongside dinner. You need something sharp enough to cut through the food coma but fun enough to sustain a festive mood. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is the ideal queue.  

As Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc drawls his way through the latest stylish murder, you will find yourself laughing between bites. It serves as the perfect mental appetizer. The film is witty, engaging, and visually sumptuous. It manages to keep the room alert without demanding exhausting levels of concentration during the meal. 

A Reflective Interlude: Jay Kelly (Netflix) 

By 10:00 PM, you’ll have friends over, conversations will be flowing freely, and talk will inevitably veer to what to put on the telly. 

This is your time to shine, the precise moment you vouch for Jay Kelly.  

The buzz around this George Clooney and Adam Sandler pairing has been immense all month, and it does not disappoint. The film acts as a warm, melancholic hug. It provides a mature look at friendship and aging that feels deeply appropriate for the final stretch of the year. It makes the quiet of the apartment feel profound rather than lonely. 

The Evergreen Bromance: Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (Prime Video) 

As the midnight hour looms large, the room needs a shot of serotonin and adrenaline before the final countdown. It is time to switch gears to the ultimate comfort watch.  

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara has singlehandedly added more to the Spanish GDP than the efforts of entire government bodies, inspiring generations of Indians to live life la vida loca. 

Fire it up then, and allow some Spanish sunshine to fill your life. The familiar banter of Kabir, Arjun, and Imran is balm for the soul, a window into the undying appeal of friendships forged in the fires of life, and a vivid reminder that even if you are sitting still right now, the next year holds the promise of open roads and deep dives. What better way could there be to ring in 2026?