Movies to Start the New Year: 2026

-

 Wondering what to watch after the egg nog and mistletoe? I've curated a list of movies that are perfect for January that bring in some new year energy. January can be dark and cold, but it's also a time of renewal. If you have some movies that are good for some "new year" vibes, tell me about them in the comments! 

Here's my list, in no particular order: 

1. Castaway (2001) - Tom Hanks gets stranded on an island around Christmas time and has to learn how to survive all alone. A perfect story for the post-Christmas daze leading into the new year. It's also a meditation of sorts about how to rebuild your life after loss, and rediscovering who you are. And, Wilson. I love Wilson. 

2. Yes Man (2009) - This often overlooked Jim Carrey flick is an annual tradition in our household. We watch it every New Year's Day. This corny comedy follows "Carl" (Jim Carrey) on a journey of self-discovery when he joins a self-help style cult where you have to say "yes" to everything, no matter how crazy. The premise is flawed, but the movie is fun and funny. Zooey Deschanel is funny and delightful as a quirky musician who meets Carl. It has a theme of rejuvenating your life if you're stuck in a rut, which is perfect for the new year. A perfect comfort movie. 

3. Morning Glory (2010) - Rachel McAdams, Diane Keaton, and Harrison Ford star in this rom-com about a young television producer (Rachel McAdams) taking on a new job at a failing morning show, and her efforts to turn it around. Harrison Ford really shines as a jaded news reporter who is coerced into joining the morning show. The new job plot of the movie is relevant to setting goals for a new year, and starting a new chapter of your life.

4. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) - Ben Stiller plays a magazine photo manager who is about to embark on an exciting adventure. As a director, you can see a bit of Stiller’s “Severence” style coming through in this movie. A wonderful movie about getting out into the world and being bold. Great for a new year. 

5. The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) - This quirky Wes Anderson comedy about a grand hotel has a cozy, comforting January vibe. The signature Wes Anderson style, the color palette, the symmetrical production design, the costumes, and the idiosyncratic writing style make for a January masterpiece. 

6.. Triangle of Sadness (2022) - This movie is a wild ride, and you won't be bored.. "A celebrity model couple are invited on a luxury cruise for the uber-rich, helmed by an unhinged, alcoholic captain. What first appears Instagrammable ends catastrophically, leaving the survivors stranded on a desert island in a struggle of hierarchy."

7. Groundhog Day (1993) - Yeah, so Groundhog Day isn’t until February 2, but it’s close enough to late January for me to recommend for January. A story of renewal, and getting your priorities in life straight. Perfect for the new year. And a groundhog driving a truck. 

Again, let me know in the comments what you think of these picks, and what you would recommend for January. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Best Movies of the DECADE - 2010s

-
2020 is here, and it's not just a new year, but a new decade. The 2010's are now officially in the history books, so it's that wonderful time to look back and gather our thoughts about what movies were truly the best of the decade. In a pop culture era dominated by Disney (including, and especially, Marvel), there were also some other wonderful smaller movies that were a cut above. I have difficulty narrowing this list down to any organized even number like "10" or even "20" so I just followed my heart about it. There were too many good ones to neglect. The chasm between smaller art films and giant tentpole blockbusters grew due to the evolving digital access to movies and the ever-evolving politics of Hollywood production. Without further ado, The Buzz: movie reviews proudly presents: Best Movies of the Decade: 2010s (in chronological order) The Social Network   - 2010 Starting the decade off strong, The Social Network was released early in the d...
Read more

Best movies of the 00's

-
Image
With the CGI effects coming into full bloom in the decade from 00 to 09, Hollywood churned out some incredible effects-driven movies. I believe this lead to a renaissance, of sorts, of comic book movies. I happen to love comic book movies, and it was a great decade for them. It seems like Hollywood finally realized that people across a wide spectrum of demographics love seeing the hero win. (aka - will fork out lots of cash and buy lots of tickets!) Aside from comic book movies, there were an array of interesting movies that had their own kind of indie vibe. the 00's were mostly defined, in my opinion, by the likes of Wes Anderson and films like Lost In Translation . It was also the decade that we saw the likes of Russell Crowe, Johnny Depp, and Will Ferrell become huge stars. I also really loved seeing Bill Murray enter a new phase of stardom with pretty much an entire decade of wonderful indie films, filled with fantastic Murray performances. 25. Elf (2003) This was the decade w...
Read more

Movies for October 2024 that are NOT Halloween movies

-
Image
October is spooky season, and the Halloween and horror movie genres hog the spotlight. However, if Halloween movies are not quite your thing, or if you're bored with the same old selections, then you'll enjoy my curated list of movies for October. These movies capture the spirit /vibe / feelings / mood of the season without being too on-the-nose. You can also comment some of your favorite "non-Halloween" movies for October in the comments. This is not an exhaustive list. Now, in no particular order, my movies for October 2024 that are not Halloween movies:  10. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)  The Royal Tenenbaums comes loaded with a heavy dose of early 2000's nostalgia, a magical cast, and a quirky Wes Anderson autumn style that's perfectly fitting for a cozy October movie night.  9. The Batman (2022)  This 2022 version of The dark knight was a popular blockbuster, and even spawned a television series spinoff starring Colin Farrell in his memorable role as The...
Read more