There are a plethora of ways someone may choose to bring in the New Year – some people go out in celebration of the occasion while others may decide to start their year at home. If you’ll be bringing in the new year inside, grab some snacks and maybe even some friends to check out these fan-favorite films that take place during the holiday!
- Waiting To Exhale. This classic film has produced laughs, tears and iconic memes. Waiting To Exhale is a 1995 film based on a novel by Terry McMillan and it was directed by Forest Whitaker. The film stars Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine and Lela Rochon and tells the story of four young Phoenix women as they navigate love and life. Although Waiting To Exhale is not solely focused on the New Year holiday, the film comes full circle as the women celebrate New Year’s Eve together and prepare for what comes next on their journey.
- Are We There Yet? When it comes to matters of the heart, many are willing to go the extra mile for their person of interest. In the 2005 film, Are We There Yet?, ladies’ man Nick Persons (Ice Cube) attempts to prove he’s a supportive “friend” to divorcee Suzanne King (Nia Long) by transporting her children to Vancouver for New Year’s Eve. While Nick sees this as his grand opportunity to impress Suzanne, he quickly learns that the road trip will be chaotic thanks to her charming children, Lindsey (Aleisha Allen) and Kevin (Philip Bolden).
- Fruitvale Station. For some, watching Fruitvale Station may trigger an emotional response. By no means is the movie packed with holiday cheer, but the film is worth the watch as it touches on critical topics such as the criminalization of Black men. Ryan Coogler’s 2013 film, Fruitvale Station, tells the true story of 22-year-old Oscar Grant and stars Michael B. Jordan and Octavia Spencer. The film takes viewers into the life of Grant as he tries to stay on the legal side of life while supporting his girlfriend and daughter. Through flashbacks, the audience is able to experience Grant’s final moments before losing his life at the hands of police officers early on New Year’s day in 2009.
