New Year’s Eve Movie/TV Moments: Exact Start Times So That Iconic Scenes Hit At Midnight

Tobias Fanta Sports Betting Expert

2 minute read

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Ever wish you could make your New Year’s Eve celebrations even more cinematic? Well, here’s a clever little trick: by starting a movie or TV episode at just the right time, you can have an iconic scene unfold exactly at midnight. It’s simple math - figure out the timestamp of the scene you want, count backward from 12:00 AM, and boom! You’ve got yourself a perfectly timed pop culture moment to ring in the new year. It’s like planning your own personal fireworks show, but with movie magic instead of pyrotechnics.

Some scenes are obvious contenders for this kind of timing. Think of Elphaba belting “Defying Gravity” in Wicked - what better way to lift your spirits as the clock strikes twelve? Or Jay Gatsby’s toast in The Great Gatsby, which would make anyone feel like they’re stepping into a lavish 1920s party at the stroke of midnight. Classic Rocky running up the stairs of the Philadelphia Museum of Art? Perfect motivational boost to kick off the new year. And who could resist Ross and Rachel’s first kiss on Friends, giving you all the romantic energy right as the calendar flips?

Here’s how to plan it: pick your favorite moment from the list below and start the movie or episode at the recommended time. That way, when your clock hits midnight, so will your chosen cinematic magic.

For example, to make Jay Gatsby’s iconic toast hit exactly at midnight, start The Great Gatsby (2013) at 11:29:57 PM - 30 minutes and 3 seconds before midnight. As the clock ticks down, the movie rolls, and when the calendar flips, Gatsby raises his glass right on cue, turning your living room into a glamorous celebration.

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Whether you want to feel the thrill of a final battle, the goosebumps of a show-stopping performance, or the romance of a first kiss, you can choreograph your New Year’s Eve around these unforgettable moments. This year, forget the usual countdown - make your midnight cinematic.

Note: All timestamps refer to the standard versions of the movies/TV series available on streaming, except The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, which refers to the extended version.

Tobias Fanta

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