5 Netflix movies to watch instead of the Ball Drop this New Year's Eve

The last thing you want to do is watch the Ball Drop on New Year’s Eve. You’ve watched it every year, and it’s really just the same thing over and over again. Why not put on some of the best Netflix movies of 2024 instead?

Now, the exact movie you watch will depend on who you’re seeing 2025 in with. Is this a family affair, or do you get a quiet night in to say hello to the New Year in silence? There’s nothing wrong with either—I’ve done both!—and they both have their benefits.

So, whether you need something for the whole family, or you want something meaningful and poignant for 2025, here are five Netflix movies you need to watch instead of the Ball Drop this New Year’s Eve. Just a note, they are all Netflix Original Movies. There are no outside-production movies on this list, so you will definitely find them on Netflix around the world.

Joy

I want to start with something recent and poignant. With everything that is going on in the world, it’s important to remember the beauty of innovation and medical discoveries. Joy brings us the story of the first test tube baby. This was a huge moment in history, allowing parents who couldn’t otherwise have children naturally to start growing their family.

Of course, those behind the discovery faced difficulties. There were people completely against the idea of IVF (there still are!), and there was the question of whether this deserved funding or not. Joy brings us a dramatized retelling of the story, and if you’re on your own and want something meaningful this New Year’s Eve, pop the movie on. You won’t regret it.

Atlas

Would you like an action movie that you can watch with the older teens in the house? Jennifer Lopez stars in Atlas, and it is one for those who love robots, sci-fi, and drama. Considering the way the world is starting to turn to AI, this is also a poignant movie to see in the New Year.

Atlas follows a brilliant data scientist who distrusts AI. She has seen what it can do and how it can be manipulated, but she may have no choice but to trust in AI if she wants to protect the world. We have a story of what AI can do—both good and bad—and how it’s okay to change your mind on something when you have all the information.

Damsel

For those with younger children who also want action, Damsel is the flick to switch on for the Ball Drop. This is a PG-13 movie, but it’s full of fantastical elements that will be great for many 10-13-year-olds. Millie Bobby Brown plays our heroine—and no, the trailer doesn’t actually give it all away!

This is for the fantasy, drama, and fairytale fans out there. It follows a young girl who is married into the royal family of a country. It looks like it’s the perfect dream for the girl until she learns what it really means. When she’s suddenly thrown into a cave with a dragon, she needs to find out a way to survive while also figuring out the secrets of this royal family.

Time Cut

Are you more in the mood for a bit of slasher horror this New Year’s Eve? While there are plenty of great horrors out there, Time Cut is a lot of fun for most of the family. It works for the teens and tweens in the house, and I’d even say that some younger kids could handle this. My eight-year-old definitely could!

Time Cut follows the story of a teenager who finds herself 20 years in the past. It’s the time period when her sister was murdered, and now she needs to decide whether to stop the murder or just find a way to go back to her own time period. It’s a fun look at the butterfly effect, psychological damage, and friendship.

The Merry Gentlemen

Okay, how about something for the rom-com fans out there? What if you’re still in a Christmasy mode? The good news is Netflix brought a fun and light-hearted Christmas movie for Hallmark fans. The Merry Gentlemen stars Britt Robinson as Ashley, a woman determined to save her parents’ nightclub.

What’s the best way to save a club? How about through an all-male Christmas-themed event. That’s sure to get the women into the building. Of course, she meets Chad Michael Murray’s Luke, who happens to be a dancer with all the right moves for her heart.

There really is something for everyone on Netflix instead of the Ball Drop this New Year’s Eve.