Movie Franchises to Binge Before the New Year Countdown
Last updated: February 12, 2026
Many people may have the day off on New Years Eve, not really knowing what to do during the day. If you’re one of those people who would sooner stay home the day of, rather than going out to party all night, this list is perfect for you.
Harry Potter
What better way to anticipate beautiful fireworks than to watch some sparkling magic first. Follow 11-year old Harry Potter throughout his years at the magic wizarding school, Hogwarts, after finding out that magic is real and he himself is a wizard. But as the years go on the evil wizard Lord Voldemort grows stronger and, through some strange connection they have, Harry always finds himself at the forefront of his evil plans.
The Harry Potter movies are as cozy as they are thrilling and cater to both young and old, making them a great franchise to binge with the whole family.
Lord of the Rings
You have to start early to finish this franchise in time, but who really said you couldn’t continue the binging after the firework show? The Hobbits get beyond excited when the wise wizard Gandalf shows up, especially Frodo Baggins. A young Hobbit who dreams of adventure, and he’ll soon find it. When a magic ring passed down by his uncle Bilbo turns out to be a great source of evil, Gandalf tells Frodo it’s up to him to destroy the ring. And so the young Hobbit goes on a quest, with old and new allies alike, to destroy The One Ring.
A classic story told through one of the best movie adaptations of a book ever. This trilogy might be one of the best to end the old year with, and welcome the new.
Back to the Future
If that’s too much fantasy, then an entertaining sci-fi trilogy may be more to your liking.
Marty McFly has quite the odd friend in Dr. Emmett Brown, or Doc, who he often visits to see what new inventions he has come up with. One day it’s an invention so fantastic it is unbelievable. Doc has created a time machine in the form of a DeLorean. After a first chaotic test drive Marty finds himself stuck in the past where he has to find and convince a younger Doc to help him go back to the future.
Back to the Future shows both the perils of time traveling and the big changes that can occur from the smallest of events. Since every movie starts where the previous ends they’re perfect for a binge watch.
Planet of the Apes Trilogy
The 2011 remake movie Rise of the Planet of the Apes is the start of a great new trilogy showing the cause of the human annihilation in the Planet of the Apes franchise. Researcher Will Rodman is trying to create a cure for Alzheimer's, trying the different substances on chimpanzees. After one of the chimps is killed for going on a rampage the trials are ended but Will discovers a baby chimpanzee who’s received the substance genetically through his mother.
Will decides to bring the baby home to study him and little Ceasar as he named him, becomes part of the family. But as Ceasar grows so does his intelligence, and he starts questioning his place in the world of humans. After having been sent to a facility for an incident Ceasar sees the abuse humans cause apes and starts a revolution to free them.
Remakes are usually not seen as very favorable but this recent Planet of the Apes trilogy is fantastic and shows that a great story can be adapted respectfully in a modern setting.
For cozy film recommendations that fit the whole family, click here!
