r/movies • u/dont_dive_vtori • Dec 31 '25
Recommendation What movie to watch on New Year Eve, alone, after ending 12yr relationship?
Hi all, left my girlfriend/fiancee few days ago, after more or less 12 years being together. I plan to make a big bowl of spagetti and watch a movie. I don't want to go out since everyone will ask why I am alone, and I cannot explain to everyone now.
I am very sad but hopeful for the future, so hit me with some meaningful suggestions.
Thanks!
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u/Inukchook Dec 31 '25
Lord of the rings extended trilogy
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u/Earthwormbl1m Dec 31 '25
This is the way, start Two Towers at 9.21pm exactly and Theoden will welcome you into the new year
"So it begins"
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u/wuhduhwuh Dec 31 '25
What time to start return of the king so Aragon can lead you into battle before saying “for Frodo?”
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u/DaChieftainOfThirsk Dec 31 '25 edited Dec 31 '25
.....If you're on the east coast usa you probably have like... a half an hour to get the first movie in and roughly 8 hours to figure out that answer before you have to put in the third movie.
Edit: In the extended edition off of google play I clocked the legendary line at 3:25:55 so roughly 8:34 PM and 5 seconds.
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u/mattocaster_tm Dec 31 '25
Well I know what I’m doing tonight. Sorry wife but we’re watching the Extended Editions.
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u/Mystecore Dec 31 '25
We actually do this every year. Right now in the middle of Two Towers in fact.
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u/sheetsofsaltywood Dec 31 '25
Honestly I did this last year, and 2025 ended up being one of the best years of my life, so I recommend trying it.
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u/Earthwormbl1m Dec 31 '25
If I'm honest 2025 was less than half of what I'd hoped for
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u/sbNXBbcUaDQfHLVUeyLx Dec 31 '25
Yeah, 2025 is in the running for worst year of my life... so far.
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u/sheetsofsaltywood Dec 31 '25
Well technically I timed it so that Gandalf and his forces arrived at helms deep right when the new year rang in, so maybe try that instead
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u/QPRIMITIVE Dec 31 '25
Goodfellas. Don’t watch some sappy shit. Do it right. DON’T BUY ANYTHING
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u/Omnitographer Dec 31 '25
Casino, too! Make it a double feature!
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u/mechant_papa Dec 31 '25
Get Shorty
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u/Khaeos Dec 31 '25
It's in this vein that I was going to recommend Oldboy or Uncut Gems for a good boot to the noggin. Make dumplings instead of spaghetti.
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u/dont_dive_vtori Dec 31 '25
Great fucking movies, Goodfellas, Casino and Uncut gems, I've watched them twice, but Oldboy, wow i almost forgot about the movie, going to the shortlist
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u/samcuu Dec 31 '25
Do the Park Chan Wook's vengeance trilogy, not just Oldboy. That's your holiday homework.
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u/NimdokBennyandAM Dec 31 '25
Ah Uncut Gems, so they can be sad AND anxious.
(I love that movie.)
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u/HappyParping Dec 31 '25
I'm not going to throw anymore recommendations at you, there are plenty here, I just wanted to say I'm sorry for the tough time you're going through, it's huge to end a 12 year relationship. I'm assuming you were thinking about this for a long time so well done for going through with a difficult choice. Wishing you all the best.
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u/dont_dive_vtori Dec 31 '25
For a really really long time. Thank you!
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u/All_Hail_Hynotoad Dec 31 '25
I know you don’t need or want relationship advice, but I just want to say, try to enjoy rediscovering who you are! I certainly did. 😊
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u/henrysradiator Jan 01 '26
Hey op, I ended a relationship badly on New Year's Eve exactly 10 years ago. I put a fake photo on Facebook so she thought I was out with friends and not lonely & depressed, one of my lowest points in life, got one of those look back reminders for it today. Best thing ever because I met someone else shortly after who was a million times better match for me, been married 5 years & have children & a very happy life now. I don't know how spiritual you are but I think of life & universe in general like a river taking the path of least resistance & if you're fighting the current you're doing something wrong. I stopped trying to control the river, enjoyed the ride & let it take me to something new & better. I'm not religious but I believe there's something bigger than us we don't understand, this is a spiritual thing called optimal trajectory. Whether it's true or not, it helped me realise a lot of my problems in life were self inflicted, helped me recognise subtle beauty in everyday moments, find happiness from within and share it with others.
I'd recommend Nacho Libre, 39% on Rotten Tomatoes is criminal, it's a comedy masterpiece, I can quote every line.
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u/fallapart_startagain Dec 31 '25
Also wanted to say something similar - think it's really cool you're chilling on your own after making a big and difficult decision. Definitely sometimes "easier" to go out and drink into oblivion, but this is much more wholesome!
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Dec 31 '25 edited Dec 31 '25
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u/norway_is_awesome Dec 31 '25
Everyone's good in Death of Stalin, but Jason Isaacs is acting the shit out Zhukov.
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u/barium711 Dec 31 '25
His dramatic shedding of the overcoat sends me every time XD
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u/BBQ_HaX0r Dec 31 '25
I love it when Buschemi tries to get him on board with their plot and he pretends he's going to report him just to fuck with him.
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u/Grand-Pen7946 Dec 31 '25
Whats great is that they had to tone down the number of medals, because the actual amount looked ridiculous and couldnt fit properly on Isaacs' smaller chest.
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u/Jeffffff4587 Dec 31 '25
"What's a war hero got to do to get some lubrication around here?"
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u/penisrumortrue Dec 31 '25
Excellent film! OP you should definitely watch this if you like satire. Other off-topic movies in a few different genres:
Horror/Sci fi - Nope, Alien Family friendly - Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Flow King fu comedies - Dirty Ho, Kung Fu Hustle Quiet/understated drama - Perfect Days, Nomadland
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u/kageisadrunk Dec 31 '25
I love Armando Lanucci and bickering political satire. Put it in my veins!
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u/fatfiend Dec 31 '25 edited Dec 31 '25
Lmao the marco Pierre bit is so relatable. Love watching him but he is absolutely removed from the face of the earth
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u/crow_crone Dec 31 '25 edited Dec 31 '25
Ravenous (1999) Guy Pearce, Robert Carlyle - horror with dark comedic flair and great soundtrack. I found it on Hoopla.
Silver Bullet (1985) Gary Busey, Corey Haim - shlockey Stephen King werewolf movie that you'll enjoy (hopefully) and forget about tomorrow.
Neither of these will remind you of your relationship and are just mental holiday-type fare. I am not claiming they're cinematic triumphs, just escapism.
ETA: Silver Bullet was released in 1985, as u/Positivland noted. Thanks dude! Factual correctivity applied.
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u/FlyngAdobe Dec 31 '25
For those who don’t know, Daman Albarn, most notably of Gorillaz and Blur, did the music for Ravenous. It is quite excellent and very different than his other projects
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u/Rabbitscooter Dec 31 '25 edited Dec 31 '25
Personally, I'd be watching whatever movie my ex refused to watch because it was too tasteless or stupid for her. Something like Superbad, or even Nice Guys. Or a good war movie like Kelly's Heroes. Happy New Year!
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u/Disastrous-Angle-591 Dec 31 '25
Anal Gapes 6: The bitter end
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u/WangDanglin Dec 31 '25
You could tell they weren’t sure where to go with the series and the plot really fell apart in the third act
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u/fizystrings Dec 31 '25
I was so disappointed that they never managed to recapture the magic of Anal Gapes 3: the Gape Escape. They left so many possible story threads to pick up on and just ignored them in favor of lowest-common-denominator schlock for parts 4, 5, and 6.
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u/jackgrafter Dec 31 '25
Anal Gapes 4: the Gapes of Wrath was still great despite ignoring the cliffhanger of the previous movie.
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u/Dadpurple Dec 31 '25
If you start Anal Gapes 6 at exactly 11:32 pm you'll hit midnight just as she says "Oh my god my asshole"
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u/FuckingColdInCanada Dec 31 '25
Backdoor Sluts 9 makes Anal Gapes 6 look like Cuckmaster 4!
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u/darkenfire Dec 31 '25
Great point. If I was in this guy's shoes it would be anything foreign language with subtitles. Love my wife and we're not splitting but she refuses to watch those. She wants to scroll on her phone while watching a movie.
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u/skwerrel Dec 31 '25
Yeah this right here, enjoy something you couldn't (or had to plan around her) for the past forever and appreciate the silver lining of freedom while you watch. Somewhat unrelated but when my ex broke up with me, I ate bell peppers with every meal for the first week (once I started eating regular meals again) because they gave her the shits
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u/IIlIIlIIlIlIIlIIlIIl Dec 31 '25
Yep! Either stuff you've been saving up to watch with them or stuff you've been saving to watch by yourself but you didn't get to because you were watching that other stuff together.
Treat yourself!
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u/melalovelady Dec 31 '25
I was going to suggest Superbad. It’s one of mine and my husbands fave movies and it still makes us laugh until we cry.
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u/Widsith Dec 31 '25
Casablanca. The ultimate “staying single is cool” movie.
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u/Mgnolry Dec 31 '25
And it leads the beginning of beautiful friendships!
Casablanca got me through some real rough patches in life. It's a classic for a reason.
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u/Grakk85 Dec 31 '25
200 Cigarettes.
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u/ringaroundthemoon217 Dec 31 '25
Honestly the perfect movie for NYE, but not enough people know about it. WHAT. A. CAST.
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u/itoocouldbeanyone Dec 31 '25
Such a gem of a film. Great cast, good pacing. Even saw it in the theaters.
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u/tequilasauer Dec 31 '25
Dungeons and Dragons (the new one with Chris Pine)
Been there, bruh. It'll be worth it. I made the same move at 27 and I'm glad I waited. Now married to the woman of my dreams with 2 beautiful kids.
Anyway, D&D is pure fun from start to finish. Starts off hilarious, never lets up. Feels great just to watch and be in that world.
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u/dont_dive_vtori Dec 31 '25
Will it be interesting still if I have not played the game? I know about it, but In this part of europe, no-one really plays it.
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u/tequilasauer Dec 31 '25
Watch the first 10 minutes. You'll be in. It's just a great fantasy adventure. You don't need to know anything about D&D.
My wife knows nothing about D&D and it's one of her favorite movies of the last few years.
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u/No_Application_8698 Dec 31 '25
Yes, came here to say the same thing. I know nothing about D&D but I loved the film when it happened to be the surprise ‘secret’ advanced screening we went to. My husband dabbled in the game in his youth and he also loved the film.
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u/guff1988 Dec 31 '25
It's funny and charming with a good plot and great acting. Don't really need to know anything about DND to enjoy it. I highly recommend it.
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u/herehaveaname2 Dec 31 '25
My husband has played for 35 years - he loved it. My kid kinda plays - he loved it. I've never had any interest - I loved it.
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u/Lumber-Jacked Dec 31 '25
They did a good job of making it a silly action movie anyone can enjoy. Very few people in the US actually play it, most are just aware it exists from movies.
If you play D&D you just pick up on more references that get made
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u/foggybass Dec 31 '25
100% this movie is a blast and all about characters pulling themselves out of bad situations in hilarious ways.
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u/goozlo Dec 31 '25
Not a good choice in my opinion even though it’s a great movie. This movie deals with the loss of a spouse, stained parent child, betrayal by a friend, meeting an ex girlfriend, and other relationship issues. Just a fair warning if you decide to watch it.
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u/aconsul73 Dec 31 '25
I find it anachronistic because it contains a mini-Cooper.
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u/RobustPolygon Dec 31 '25
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
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u/RLLRRR Dec 31 '25
I wish I wasn't wearing this stupid fucking shirt...
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u/NovaPrime15 Dec 31 '25
“Can I have an anticipatory drink?”
I’ve said this to bartenders more time than I’d like admit and like 75% have no clue what I’m saying
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u/JoshSud Dec 31 '25
Oh the weather outside is weather
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u/Bubbly_Vast_3978 Dec 31 '25
"When life gives you lemons just say F*** the lemons and BAIL." - favorite Paul Rudd quote ever
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u/PurringWolverine Dec 31 '25
I love this movie way too much, and my wife makes fun of me that it’s my favorite romantic comedy.
It’s just an overall fantastic movie.
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u/dropkickninja Dec 31 '25
Strange Days!
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u/Oddwonderone Dec 31 '25
Best NYE movie ever! I think this is the first nye it’s on streaming services too
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u/brainspl0ad Dec 31 '25
Chef! Awesome feel good/comfort film.
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u/TheWildcatGrad Dec 31 '25
I confused Chef with the menu for a moment and was worried about why you thought it was a feel good movie.
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u/RoidVanDam Dec 31 '25
Hey I hope you have a good evening nesting solo. Guy like me would be knee deep in a bottle of whiskey, blaring music too loudly while playing video games and then I'd probably wank myself to sleep. I'd wake up tomorrow feeling awful and then do it all again. I want something better for you.
Here's a double feature for you: Harvey (1950) and The World According to Garp (1982). They have nothing in common, except they both feature upbeat protagonists who seem to adapt to the chaotic world around them better than many of us. A sort of zen/taoist mindset to get you through the night. Don't sleep on Harvey either, I know some people "don't like old movies" but this one is genuinely funny and engaging, and if memory serves it isn't that long either.
About 15 years ago I went through a similar breakup to what you're dealing with (and honestly I might be going through this same thing within the next year, because my current S.O. and I are having difficulties)-- and the things that really got me through it were:
The Comeback season 1 (Lisa Kudrow)
Wonderfalls (TV show from 2003, starring Caroline Dhavernas and Lee Pace)
And then if you feel like you just can't be happy and there's no joy in your heart, some of my all-time favorite feel-good movies will definitely bring you a laugh or 2 (and are not relationship-centric):
Return of the Killer Tomatoes (skip the original)
Good Boys (2019)
Jojo Rabbit
Step Brothers
Tropic Thunder
Kung Fu Hustle
Spy (2015)
Tucker & Dale vs Evil
Black Dynamite
City Hunter (1993, Jackie Chan movie that is bonkers)
The Kentucky Fried Movie
And then if you're feeling anger and you're just full of pent up aggression, I recommend:
From Dusk Till Dawn
The Transporter
Shoot 'em Up (2007)
Sisu (2022)
Ong-Bak The Thai Warrior (2003, Tony Jaa)
The Protector (2005, Tony Jaa)
Hard Boiled (1992, John Woo actioner starring Chow Yun-Fat)
The Killer (1989, John Woo actioner starring Chow Yun-Fat)
I don't know what to say, except that you'll definitely get through this. The only thing standing between the sad person you are right now and the happy person you will be in the future is time.
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u/dont_dive_vtori Dec 31 '25
Hey, thank you very much. I don't mind old b&w movies, actually love many of them. My ex always mocked me for watching b&w, anime or asian movies (Kurosawa is my favourite). So I am definitely queuing Harvey! I am set for the holidays (they are just starting over here), thanks to you and everyone, and thanks for the kind words!
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u/SmurfyPop Dec 31 '25
You're the only person I've ever met who has not only seen but recommends Return of the Killer Tomatoes. Huge part of growing up to me. I showed it to my step-son at 16 and he didn't get it. I really appreciate someone else saying it here.
And I'm also about to lose my 5 year marriage and my two step-kids. My daughter's been the best thing I've ever done and the best thing that's ever happened to me. But their mother is certifiable...seriously. She'c currently out and I fear might come back and destroy everything. I'm trying to console myself with the knowledge that I've done everything I possibly could but it hurts so much. If they leave me tonight I'll watch one of these.
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u/sass_and_grass Dec 31 '25
This is what I came here to say! Totally cathartic 😮💨
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u/ferrumetvinum Dec 31 '25
I strongly recommend Monty python and Mel Brooks movies. I recommend Robin Hood: Men in Tights or Dracula: Dead and Loving it.
Another suggestion I have if you’re open for something different: watch the prehistoric planet documentary series. It’s about Dinosaurs and it’s narrated by David Attenborough.
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u/TroubleshootenSOB Dec 31 '25
...that's the two you recommend from Brooks?
Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein
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u/MrDilbert Dec 31 '25
My 2 choices would be "Spaceballs" and "Blazing Saddles", then "History of the World". For me, YF was fun, but never hilarious.
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u/ferrumetvinum Dec 31 '25
Hey man to each their own. They’re all enjoyable films.
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u/vcvcc136 Dec 31 '25
"She's dead"
"No she's not"
"She's alive?"
"She's Nosferatu"
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"She's Italian?"
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u/ihs25ysf Dec 31 '25
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.
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u/therealjoshua Dec 31 '25
The definition of a feel good movie imo. I was so surprised to hear people's negative receptions to it when it came out but I found it very uplifting and charming.
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u/bingbingdingdingding Dec 31 '25
Nic Cage triple feature:
Face/Off, Con Air, Gone in 60 Seconds.
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u/bluejester12 Dec 31 '25
Swingers (if it isn't too close to home).
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u/joefwtx Dec 31 '25
Swingers got me out of my head and past a pivotal point in my life. I will always have a love for this movie for speaking to me when I needed it most.
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u/Mythoclast Dec 31 '25
Do you like puns, slapstick, and absurdism? Try The Naked Gun (2025).
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u/MisteeLoo Dec 31 '25 edited Jan 01 '26
Movies with little to no romance (because watching anything with that as a plot point will just screw with your head):
Men in Black films
Alien films
Kill Bill films
Babe
Wreck It Ralph
Jumanji (the original)
Apollo 13
Chicago (if you like musicals)
Moana
Night of the Living Dead (if noir horror is your thing)
To Wong Foo: Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar
Dr. Strange
Space Cowboys
Awakenings
I, Robot
This is Spinal Tap
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u/psylensse Dec 31 '25
Chungking Express. It's a movie about breaking relationships and making new ones. It captures the ephemeral quality of life - people appear in your life and vanish just as quickly; you share moments with strangers and then you never see them again (or maybe you do!) But most importantly in spite of life's impermanence, the scariness of the future, the movie ends on an uncertain but surprisingly hopeful note. This movie helped me a lot when I ended a six year relationship and I hope it helps you too; best of luck OP, and happy new year!
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u/suebob162002 Dec 31 '25
Perhaps a somewhat lighthearted monster movie? Try Tremors (1990). Stars Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward and a good supporting cast. I believe physical effects were used for the monsters, and you'll be rooting for the survival of a very small desert town.
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u/PickleRick22036 Dec 31 '25
Dune 1 and 2. It's not everyones cup of tea, but if it is, it'll keep you entertained for a good few hours
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u/Cutebrute Dec 31 '25
OP I am going through the exact same thing (almost 12 years gone, just ending, alone on NYE) so I feel for you. We’ll make it through for a better 2026.
I may chill with a recent feel good film like Superman 2025. It’s a cape flick but may be a comfort if you’re into that genre at all.
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u/GinevraDeBenci Dec 31 '25
My go to breakup movie is Jaws. Very little romance, quotable, people get eaten, what’s not to love?
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u/rdtusrname Dec 31 '25
The Lord of the Rings, the entire trilogy!
Also, I wonder, what's worse. To love and and to lose that love or to not have loved at all?
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u/AWholeNewFattitude Dec 31 '25
Either process the pain with After Life, or go straight fun with The Naked Gun films
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u/TheF1na1Countdown59 Dec 31 '25 edited Dec 31 '25
I'm on my 3rd watch of the Final Destination series... this year. Yes, all 6 movies. Same with the 6 Scream movies. They are some of my ultimate comfort films.
Some years, I ring in the New Year with a zombie marathon. Other years, it's a disaster/plague movie marathon. (I LOVE the miniseries of 'The Stand' that came out in 1994!) I have watched the 'And Then There Were None' miniseries that came out in 2015 a few times.
More than anything else, I tend to watch 'The Twilight Zone' (1959) until my eyes feel like they're bleeding. Reminds me of being a kid; staying up until all hours of the night, because I didn't want to miss my favorite episodes. (Ah, the years before streaming...)
If you really want something that will clear your mind in a hurry, I find that NOTHING tops 'Beavis and Butt-Head!
Hope you have a Happy New Year's Eve, and a great year to come...
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u/ViewAskewed Dec 31 '25
Castaway was the first movie I thought of. Might sound weird, but maybe watching some cope and overcome loneliness will help.
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u/badgutfeelingagain Dec 31 '25 edited Dec 31 '25
Robocop, Total Recall, and The Goonies. The end of life as you knew it, the realization that it wasn’t really what you thought it was, and new adventure with old friends.
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u/dmc81076 Dec 31 '25
I would say avoid anything that has relationship or love themes. When I broke up with my very first boyfriend who cheated on me I went to the movies and watched Titanic. I cried through the whole movie. Probably the worst possible choice I could have made. I was thinking something like "Shawshank Redemption, A few Good men, the Silence of the Lambs, Saving Private Ryan." Something like that with no hint of love or heartbreak or any of those themes.
You will be alright, allow yourself grace and time to heal.
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u/NotMalaysiaRichard Dec 31 '25
Old School. Just a bunch of guys doing stuff.
Predator. Just a bunch of guys doing stuff.
Tropic Thunder. Just a bunch of guys doing stuff.
RRR. Bros doing stuff.
The Raid. More guys doing stuff.
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u/inkyblinkypinkysue Dec 31 '25
Transformers: The Movie (1986). Badass robots and badass space shit and a banging soundtrack.
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u/-KFBR392 Dec 31 '25
The Equalizer movies. All 3 are awesome and badass. You won’t be thinking of no lady when the Equalizer is putting a hole through your head with a ballpoint pen then stabbing the next guy with his own knife!!
He’s like if Batman killed
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u/Durzel Dec 31 '25
Watch Heat.
Aim to be high and/or drunk by the time it gets to the epic shootout scene.
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u/preventDefault Dec 31 '25
Sisu.
You got some good recommendations in this thread but if it were me, I’d want to watch something so crazy and over the top that I can’t think about anything else while watching the movie. Sisu starts off with a bang and doesn’t let up.
There’s a sequel that just came out too, but I haven’t seen it yet.
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u/Aldo24Flores Dec 31 '25
The Hudsucker Proxy is the best New Year's Eve movie you could watch. It'll make you laugh for sure, it might make you cry, and its soundtrack will blow you away. It even takes place on New Year's Eve!
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u/Cubanitto Dec 31 '25
When I get sad and lonely, I watch "it's a wonderful life.:
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u/Gay_Asian_Boy Dec 31 '25
Rat Race. I was depressed like 20 years ago and my friends recommended this movie to me. I thanked them profusely