Which New Year’s movies are watched in different countries?

The holiday holidays are approaching, which means it’s time to relax with aromatic mulled wine and spend a marathon watching New Year’s movies. Every country has its own habits and traditions. We have compiled a list of movies that viewers from different countries watch every year.

Russia – “Irony of Fate or Enjoy Your Bath!”, dir. Eldar Ryazanov (1975)

Despite the regular frequency of release of other new films and Soviet fairy tales, watching Ryazanov’s “Irony of Fate” has long become a good tradition for the New Year. Maybe it’s all about the unique holiday atmosphere?

Single Zhenya traditionally celebrates December 31 with his friends in the bathhouse, and in the morning he wakes up in someone else’s apartment that looks just like his own. As a result, the drunk hero realizes that he is in Leningrad, not Moscow. Nadya, the owner of the house, is not very happy with the uninvited guest as she plans to spend the new year with her fiancé Ippolit. This unexpected encounter on the eve of the holiday will change a lot for all the heroes.

USA – “It’s a Wonderful Life”, dir. Frank Capra (1946)

The first thing that comes to mind is, of course, the comedy “Home Alone” starring Macaulay Culkin, but in fact, Frank Capra’s black and white film “It’s a Wonderful Life” is considered a New Year’s classic among Americans.

Model family man George Bailey considers suicide because of his debts, but his plans are thwarted by a Second Class angel. The latter admits that he will grow wings if he manages to talk him out of death. Now they both need to go back in time to see what their loved ones’ lives would have been like if he hadn’t been there.

United Kingdom – “Love Actually”, dir. Richard Curtis (2003)

In fact, the residents of Foggy Albion, like Americans, watch Frank Capra’s movie It’s a Wonderful Life at Christmas. True, lately the trend has been changing and more and more British people are watching Richard Curtis’ Love Actually on television. This atmospheric film tells 9 stories (the 10th was cut during editing) set on Christmas Eve.

Rock star Billy takes his anger out on his manager, who is actually his best friend. Peter hides his love for his best friend’s wife. Writer Jamie discovers his girlfriend is cheating on him with her brother. Daniel tries to contact his stepson after his wife’s death. Harry, an exemplary family man, is in love with his secretary, Mia. Intimate onstage stand-ins John and Judy unexpectedly fall for each other. The new prime minister gets his secretary Natalie fired and wants to make amends. Sarah and Karl are co-workers who hide their feelings for each other. Loser Colin goes to the USA for his love affairs. All these different characters find what they are looking for and come together at Heathrow Airport.

France – “A Christmas Story”, dir. Arnaud Desplechin (2008)

Old couple Juno and Abel are waiting for Christmas with their children, whom they will see for the first time in six years. Not everything is so simple among their offspring. Eldest daughter Elizabeth arrives with her unsociable child Paul. Henri introduces his mistress to his family. His youngest son Ivan arrives with his devoted wife Sylvia and their two children. They all have to learn the terrible news: Juno has been diagnosed with leukemia, so this holiday may be her last. Despite the celebrations, family members will be able to learn many things about the traumas of the past in order to forgive each other.

Austria – “The Trapp Family”, dir. Wolfgang Liebeneiner (1956)

Many have heard of the American musical “The Sound of Music” starring Julie Andrews. The film adaptation is based on the true story of an Austrian nun who worked as a nanny in the household of Baron von Trapp in the 1930s. The widow at first dislikes the girl who encourages her children’s pranks, but later realizes how effective her methods are. They soon fall in love with each other, but their family’s happiness is disrupted by the Nazi regime. It is believed that the German version of Liebeneiner’s “Trapp Family” is closest to the Austrian one, as it more accurately conveys the relationships of the characters.

Canada – “34. Miracle on the Street”. George Seaton (1947)

Kris Kringle, an old man passing by, accidentally takes on the role of Santa Claus at a department store after his predecessor is found drunk. True, he took his duty seriously and decided to actually work miracles. For example, a man helps little Susan, who grew up without a father, to find family happiness.

Italy – “Christmas Vacation”, dir. Carlo Vanzina (1999)

Two conflicting families become neighbors at a ski resort during Christmas. Even though they can’t stand each other, they constantly have to fight and find themselves in ridiculous situations.

Germany – “Flying Classroom”, dir. Tomi Wiegand (2003)

The film adaptation of Erich Kästner’s book “The Flying Classroom” tells the story of a 12-year-old boy who has already changed 6 boarding schools. He discovers the script of a play he and his new classmates plan to stage for Christmas in an abandoned train carriage, but everything does not go as planned.

Finland – “A Christmas Story”, dir. Juha Vuolioki (2007)

Nicholas, an orphan boy, lives under the care of the villagers and, in gratitude for their care, gives them gifts, including the children, every Christmas. There are indirect references to the fact that the main character in the story is Santa Claus, even though he is not directly given that name.

Spain – “Plácido”, dir. Luis García Berlanga (1961)

A group of wealthy aristocratic women are organizing a charity event called “Feed the Poor at Your Table.” At the center of the plot is a poor motorcyclist Placido, who urgently needs to pay transportation costs because he earns his living.

Japan – “Once Upon a Time in Tokyo”, dir. Satoshi Kon (2003)

While Japanese people prefer to watch Satoshi Kon’s anime “Perfect Sadness” and “Paprika” in the new year, “Once Upon a Time in Tokyo” also holds a special place in their hearts. This is the story of three homeless people who take in an abandoned newborn girl on Christmas Eve. And this action led to a series of strange events.

Australia – “Christmas in the Bush”, dir. Henry Safran (1983)

Family melodrama tells about a poor family living in the remote countryside. The only hope of getting out of this difficult situation is the horse racing champion “Prince”, who was stolen the day before the New Year’s race. Now the boys go looking for horse thieves in the bush. Their path leads to the Blue Mountains, where they have to live the life of Aboriginal people to track down the thieves.