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Sync up your New Year's Countdown with these iconic movie moments

Maybe another Thanos snap will prevent 2023 part two.

If you're tired of the usual New Year's Eve broadcasts and want to say sayonara to 2023 with some geeky goodness, we''ve got a handful of suggestions that will be perfect for you. We've rounded up a few iconic nerdy movie moments to give you the exact times you'll need to start these movies to sync up with midnight on New Year’s Eve. Let's kick off 2024 epically, shall we?

Marty McFly returns to 1985

On November 12, 1955 at precisely 10:04pm, lightning struck the Hill Valley Clock Tower. If you'd like to ring in the new year with the iconic ending to one of the greatest films ever made, queue up your copy of Back to the Future and hit play at 10:19:07 PM. At the moment the ball drops, the Delorean will hit 88 miles-per-hour sending Marty McFly back to 1985, and you into 2024.

My chest is bursting with excitement

We'll leave the image out.

The crew of the Nostromo learned the hard way what happens when you break quarantine. Cue up Ridley Scott's classic Alien at 11:03:38 to usher in 2024 with one of the best space horror films ever made. As the clocks strike 12, Nostromo crew member Kane will meet his untimely demise as the first Xenomorph erupts from his chest.

The Death Star is no more

The greatest weapon of the Galactic Empire, destroyed by a farm boy from Tatooine. Load up Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope at 10:02:43 PM for the ultimate New Years Eve fireworks display. At exactly midnight, Luke Skywalker makes the one-in-a-million shot, destroying the Death Star for good. Or at least until they build another one.

Protect us from 2023, Gandalf

Like the Balrog of Morgoth himself, 2023 has been a fiery beast bent on destruction. Toss in your copy of Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and kiss this year goodbye. If you start the film at 9:51:30 PM, the clock will strike midnight just as Gandalf exclaims 'You shall not pass!' to the Balrog on the bridge of Khazad-dum, deep in the Mines of Moria. See ya never, 2023.

Welcome to the party, pal

Regardless of where you fall on the 'Die Hard is a Christmas movie' debate, we can all agree that Hans Gruber is one of the greatest villains ever put to film. That's why it's so satisfying to watch him meet his gruesome fate at the movie's climax. If you start Die Hard at exactly 9:56:47 PM, you'll ring in 2024 just as Hans Gruber begins the long fall from the top of Nakatomi Plaza.

BONUS ROUND: if you start the movie at 9:56:27 PM, just like the Times Square ball drop, you'll sync up with the moment he hits the ground.

The snap(s) heard 'round the world

This one's a two-fer. If you're a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe who wants to sync your New Year's festivities up with either Thanos' snap from Avengers: Infinity War to blink half the world out of existence or Tony Stark's snap from Avengers: Endgame to put an end to Thanos once and for all, here are the times you need to know:

For Thanos' snap in Avengers: Infinity War, start the movie at 9:48:52 PM

For Tony Stark’s snap in Avengers: Endgame, start the movie at 9:29:30 PM

BONUS ROUND: if you really want to ring in an epic New Year, start Avengers: Endgame at 9:41:34 PM. Captain America will yell "AVENGERS ASSEMBLE!" just as the clocks strike 12. Keep in mind, because of the dramatic pause between the words avenger and assemble, this is timed for Cap to say assemble at midnight.


As the year wind downs, it's time to look back and all you've read and watched. Popverse has picked the best movies, best comics, and best TV shows of the year.

But who really cares about what we think? This year, we had you vote for your best movies, best comics, and best TV shows of the year too. Check the lists and mix and see if you agree with our (and your) top choices of the year!

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About the Author

Chris D’Lando

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