Runtime: 25 minutes
Where to watch: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime (varies by year)
Ages: 6-12

This 1986 Peanuts special is the gold standard. Charlie Brown has to finish reading War and Peace over winter break (relatable content for any kid avoiding homework), while Peppermint Patty throws a big New Year's Eve party. It's got that classic Peanuts melancholy mixed with genuine warmth, and at 25 minutes, it's the perfect length for younger kids in this age range or as an early-evening watch before the main feature.

What makes it work: No romance, no alcohol references, just kids being kids. The humor holds up, and there's something genuinely sweet about watching Charlie Brown stress about a book report while his friends dance at a party. Plus, it's short enough that you won't lose them before midnight.

Runtime: 50 minutes
Where to watch: Peacock, AMC+ (check annually)
Ages: 6-10

If your family loved Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, this 1976 Rankin/Bass special is the New Year's equivalent. Rudolph has to find Happy, the Baby New Year, who's run away because everyone laughs at his big ears. It's weird, it's got that distinctive stop-motion animation, and it's absolutely charming.

Fair warning: This one skews younger. If your 10-year-old is rolling their eyes at "baby stuff," save this for the 8-year-old crowd. But if they're still into the magic of holiday specials, this delivers.

Runtime: Varies (usually 30-60 minutes)
Where to watch: Netflix
Ages: 6-12

Netflix has been producing these for several years, and they're honestly genius for families with elementary-age kids. They're interactive (think Black Mirror: Bandersnatch but for kids), featuring characters from shows like All That or Boss Baby, with games, jokes, and a countdown to "midnight" that you can trigger whenever you want.

Why this matters: The fake midnight is clutch. Your 8-year-old wants to "stay up until midnight" but realistically will be a disaster by 10pm? Start this at 9:30, let them make choices and play along, hit the countdown at 10, and everyone goes to bed happy. They got their New Year's moment, you got reasonable bedtimes. Everyone wins.

Note: Netflix rotates which characters/themes they use each year, so check what's available in late December 2024/early 2025.

Sometimes the best New Year's Eve movie isn't about New Year's at all. You want something with energy, celebration, family togetherness, and that sense of possibility. Here are the moves that nail that vibe:

Runtime: 108 minutes
Where to watch: Disney+
Ages: 8-12
Rating: PG

This 2006 Ben Stiller comedy is perfect for New Year's Eve. It's got that "anything can happen when the clock strikes" magic, it's genuinely funny for both kids and adults, and it moves fast enough to keep everyone engaged. Larry Daley (Stiller) takes a night security job at the American Museum of Natural History, only to discover that everything comes to life after dark.

Why it works for NYE: The whole movie takes place in one night, there's a sense of wonder and possibility, and it's about new beginnings (Larry's starting over with a new job). Plus, at nearly 2 hours, it can anchor your evening programming. Start it at 8:30, finish around 10:30, do some games or snacks, and you're at midnight.

Content heads-up: Some mild action sequences and a few scary moments (the T-Rex can be intense for sensitive 8-year-olds), but nothing that most kids this age can't handle. No romance subplot that kids will groan through.

Runtime: 102 minutes
Where to watch: Disney+
Ages: 6-12
Rating: PG

Yes, Encanto came out in 2021, and yes, your kids have probably seen it 47 times already. But hear me out: it's actually perfect for New Year's Eve. The whole movie is about breaking generational patterns, finding your place in your family, and celebrating together. The climax literally involves rebuilding and renewal.

Why it works: If you're doing a family-focused New Year's Eve at home, this captures that "we're all in this together" energy. Plus, if your kids are Hamilton fans or just love Lin-Manuel Miranda's music, they'll be singing along. The songs are genuinely great, and "What Else Can I Do?" is basically a New Year's resolution anthem.

Bonus: Most kids this age won't complain about rewatching it, and you can have a whole conversation afterward about what each family member wants to do differently in the new year.

Runtime: 100 minutes
Where to watch: Max, Amazon Prime (rental)
Ages: 7-12
Rating: PG

"Everything is awesome" is pretty much the perfect New Year's Eve energy. This 2014 film is fast-paced, hilarious, visually stunning, and has genuine heart. Emmet, an ordinary construction worker, discovers he might be "The Special" destined to save the Lego universe.

Why it works: It's about believing in yourself and realizing you're capable of more than you thought—classic New Year's vibes. The humor works on multiple levels (kids laugh at the physical comedy, parents catch the pop culture references), and it's the rare kids' movie that adults actually enjoy watching.

Fair warning: It moves FAST. If you have a kid who gets overwhelmed by rapid editing or needs time to process what's happening on screen, this might not be the move. But for most 8-10 year olds, it's perfectly paced.

Runtime: 111 minutes
Where to watch: Disney+
Ages: 8-12
Rating: G

Remy the rat dreams of becoming a chef in Paris. It's about pursuing your passion despite everyone saying you can't, finding your people, and—in a very real way—about new beginnings and reinvention.

Why it works for NYE: The whole movie builds to a moment of transformation and recognition. It's beautiful, it's funny, and it might inspire some kids to think about what they want to create or achieve in the new year. Plus, it's genuinely one of Pixar's best, so if somehow your kids haven't seen it, New Year's Eve is a great excuse.

Content note: Some mild peril and a few intense moments (the old lady with the shotgun, the kitchen chase scenes), but nothing that most 8-10 year olds can't handle. Rated G for a reason.

If your kid is on the mature end of 10, or you have an 11-year-old sibling joining, you have a few more options:

Runtime: 116 minutes
Where to watch: Netflix, Peacock (varies)
Ages: 10+
Rating: PG

Time travel, new beginnings, literally watching a countdown clock—this 1985 classic is thematically perfect for New Year's Eve. Marty McFly accidentally travels back to 1955 and has to make sure his parents fall in love or he'll cease to exist.

Why it might work: If your 10-year-old is into Stranger Things or other 80s nostalgia content, they'll probably love this. It's funny, it's exciting, and it holds up remarkably well.

Why it might not: There's some mild language, some dated gender dynamics, and a subplot involving Marty's mom having a crush on him (it's played for comedy and awkwardness, but still). Plus, some of the Biff bullying scenes can be intense. This is really for mature 10s, not all 8-10 year olds. Read more about whether Back to the Future is appropriate for your specific kid.

Runtime: 114 minutes
Where to watch: Netflix
Ages: 9-12
Rating: PG

A quirky family's road trip is interrupted by a robot apocalypse. It's about family connection, accepting each other's differences, and working together—all great New Year's themes.

Why it works: It's recent (2021), so it feels current to kids. The animation style is unique and energetic, the humor is genuinely funny, and it has real emotional depth without being sappy. Plus, there's something fitting about watching a movie about technology and connection on a night when you're probably trying to balance screen time with family time.

Content note: Some intense action sequences and mild language. The robot apocalypse stuff is played for comedy but could be scary for sensitive 8-year-olds. Better for 9-10+.

You might be wondering: what about movies actually called "New Year's Eve" or other adult NYE films?

The 2011 ensemble film New Year's Eve (with basically every celebrity ever) is rated PG-13 and is essentially a bunch of romantic storylines intercut with each other. It's boring for kids, and full of relationship drama they won't care about. Hard pass.

Most other New Year's Eve movies (When Harry Met Sally, The Poseidon Adventure, etc.) are either romantic comedies or disaster films—neither of which work for the 8-10 crowd.

This is why the "captures the spirit without being explicitly about NYE" approach works so much better for this age range.

Honestly? Sometimes the best approach is to skip the full movie and do a mix:

6:00 PM: Early dinner (let them pick the menu)
7:00 PM: Happy New Year, Charlie Brown (25 minutes)
7:30 PM: Board games (Ticket to Ride, Sushi Go, Codenames)
8:30 PM: Main feature (Night at the Museum, Encanto, or The Lego Movie)
10:30 PM: Netflix countdown special with snacks
11:00 PM: Bed (or actual midnight if they're still going)

The point is to create that sense of occasion without requiring them to actually make it to midnight, which—let's be real—is rough for most 8-10 year olds and their parents.

For 8-year-olds: Stick with the Peanuts special, Rudolph's Shiny New Year, Netflix countdown, or Encanto. These have the right energy without anything that might be too intense or over their heads.

For 9-year-olds: All of the above, plus Night at the Museum, The Lego Movie, or Ratatouille. They can handle slightly longer runtimes and more complex plots.

For 10-year-olds: Everything mentioned, including potentially The Mitchells vs. The Machines or Back to the Future if they're mature for their age. But know your kid—some 10-year-olds still want the comfort of younger content, especially on special occasions.

The midnight pressure is real. Kids this age hear about staying up until midnight from older siblings, friends, or media, and they want to do it too. But realistically, most 8-10 year olds get overtired, cranky, and miserable if they actually stay up that late. The Netflix countdown specials solve this beautifully—you can "celebrate midnight" at 9:30 or 10:00, and they feel like they participated without actually destroying the next three days with an overtired kid.

New Year's Eve is weirdly emotional for some kids. There's something about the "ending" of a year that can make kids anxious or sad, even if they can't articulate why. Having a cozy, family-focused evening with a comfort movie can help. If your kid seems off, here's how to talk about time and change with elementary-age kids.

Consider sibling dynamics. If you have multiple kids in different age ranges, the 8-10 sweet spot often means compromise. Maybe the 12-year-old wants something more mature, while the 6-year-old needs something gentler. In that case, consider doing separate countdowns—younger kids do theirs at 9:00 with Happy New Year, Charlie Brown, then go to bed, while older kids get to stay up a bit later with a different movie. Or do a family movie everyone can enjoy (Encanto, Ratatouille) and save the age-specific content for New Year's Day.

It's okay if they fall asleep. Seriously. If your kid conks out at 10:30 during the movie, that's fine. They tried, they felt special, they participated. You don't need to wake them up at midnight unless they specifically asked you to. More on managing expectations around special occasions.

New Year's Eve with 8-10 year olds doesn't have to mean hunting for the one perfect NYE-themed movie that doesn't exist. Focus on films that capture the energy—celebration, family, new beginnings, possibility—and create your own traditions around them.

The Netflix countdown specials are genuinely great for this age range and solve the "but I want to stay up until midnight" problem elegantly. Night at the Museum and Encanto are probably your best bets for full-length features that work for the whole family and feel right for the occasion.

And remember: the goal isn't to perfectly replicate an adult New Year's Eve celebration for your kids. It's to create a sense of occasion, let them feel part of something special, and maybe—just maybe—get everyone to bed before actual midnight so you can collapse on the couch with relief that you made it through another year of parenting.

Next Steps:

Happy New Year! 🎉