The end of the year is always a special time because it's when all the best holidays happen. Not only that, but all the best shows start airing their holiday specials. From old classics to new ones, holiday specials are beloved by fans and offer shows a nice rating boost.
However, holidays aren't always treated equally when it comes to specials. While there are a million and one Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Halloween themed episodes, some other holidays go without recognition. Oddly enough, New Year's Eve/Day is one of those forgotten holidays when it comes to TV specials. There might not be an overabundance of New Year's Eve themed episodes out there, but the ones that do exist are phenomenal.
Full House: "Happy New Year" - 7.1
Full House was a beloved family sitcom of the '90s so it's no surprise that they tried to hit as many holidays as they possibly could during its original run. The series tackled New Year's Eve during its fourth season with the episode: "Happy New Year."
The Tanner household is filled to the brim as they get ready to celebrate the new year while DJ and Kimmy throw a "small party" next door at the Gibble residence. Meanwhile, Joey experiences love at first sight with a woman he was matched with through a video dating company and Michelle attempts to make it to her first midnight countdown.
The X-Files: "Millennium" - 8.0
When one thinks of holiday specials, they most likely aren't thinking about the hit science fiction drama series The X-Files. And yet, The X-Files has one of the most iconic New Year's episodes of all time, with the Millennium series.
In the episode, Mulder, Scully, and the main forensic profiler of Millennium must team up to put an end to the secret organization that is attempting to bring about the end of the world by turning themselves into zombies. While the episode doesn't scream festive, it does end with Mulder and Scully ringing in the new year with a kiss. A kiss which just so happened to be the couple's first kiss of the series.
Modern Family: "New Year's Eve" - 8.1
Modern Family has certainly joined the ranks of family sitcoms that can be enjoyed over and over again. Part of the reason for that is their exceptionally funny holiday specials. During season four, Modern Family tackled New Year's Eve.
In the episode, the adults decide to spend New Year's Eve kidless and travel to a hotel in Palm Springs to ring in the new year. Meanwhile, Alex and Haley have been tasked with babysitting everyone back at home. Chaos ensues on both fronts as Jay's adult children ditch him for their own holiday plans and Luke manages to invite two girls over on Alex and Haley's watch.
The Office: "Ultimatum" - 8.3
The Office has had some pretty iconic holiday-themed episodes over the years but one of their most popular was their New Year's Eve themed episode from the show's seventh season.
In the episode titled, "Ultimatum," Michael gears up for what could be an extremely happy day or an extremely sad day depending on if Holly, his office crush, ends up getting proposed to be her long-term boyfriend. Elsewhere, Pam organizes a resolution board to help her co-workers stay on top of their resolutions this year. With their resolutions out in the open, everyone attempts to help each other reach their goals which proves to be chaotic.
My So-Called Life: "Resolutions" - 8.4
My So-Called Life is one of those iconic shows that is a part of the canceled after one season club. Despite only having one season, the teen drama series did air a New Years' themed episode titled "Resolutions" towards the end of its iconic first season.
In the episode, the ensemble cast reveals their New Year's resolutions to each other in the hopes of actually achieving them this year. While most of the cast is off having fun, attempting not to break their resolutions on the first day of the new year, Rickie is on an even bigger journey as he grapples with the fact that he is now homeless.
The OC: "The Countdown" - 8.5
The OC is another hit teen drama series that managed to include a New Year's Eve themed episode during its first season on the air. The episode, entitled "The Countdown" was the fourteenth episode of the first season and really helped kicked things into gear for the series.
On the eve of 2004, Kristen's sister comes back into town after being MIA for two years, bringing with her a slate of drama. Meanwhile, Marissa pulls away from her boyfriend Ryan after she admitted she loved him the night before New Year's Eve and he didn't say it back to her.
Friends: "The One With The Routine" - 8.6
With ten seasons of iconic content, Friends not only had one but two New Year's Eve themed episodes that are extremely iconic according to IMDb. The first of these episodes is "The One with the Routine" which aired during the show's sixth season.
In this episode, Joey, Monica, and Ross attend "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve's" television special after being invited by Joey's girlfriend. Determined to get on TV, Monica and Ross perform a dance routine they created as kids in the hopes of being selected to be on the "dance platform." Meanwhile, Rachel and Phoebe recruit Chandler to help them find Monica's Christmas gifts to them so they can get her an equally as amazing gift.
The Big Bang Theory: "The Justice League Recombination" - 8.7
The Big Bang Theory is another iconic sitcom that ran for several years. During its fourth season, the series tackled New Year's Eve with the episode "The Justice League Recombination."
In the episode, the gang realizes that Penny and her ex Zack are back together. They're not thrilled about this until they realize that Zack would make the perfect Superman for their Justice League group costume they plan on wearing to Stuart's New Year's Eve party. The new addition causes a shakeup in the costumes but the biggest problem is that Penny doesn't want to participate.
That '70s Show: "That '70s Finale" - 8.9
That '70s Show ended its iconic eight-season long run in 2006 with an episode titled "That '70s Finale." In the episode, the gang has gathered together to celebrate the last day of the 1970s before ringing in a new decade.
As the cast reminisces about the past, they also make plans for the future. Ashton Kutcher reprised his role as Kelso for the finale despite leaving the show a season prior. The iconic episode ends with an empty Forman's basement as everyone counts down to the new year/decade upstairs.
Friends: "The One With All The Resolutions" - 9.1
As one of the most iconic sitcoms of the 1990s and 2000s, it's fitting that Friends managed to include two New Year's Eve themed episodes during it's run. "The One With All The Resolutions" aired during the show's fifth season and set the bar high for holiday specials to come.
In the episode, the gang assembles to celebrate New Year's Eve together. The party kicks off with everyone making their resolutions for the new year. Meanwhile, Joey tries to get Chandler to kiss Monica at midnight so that he doesn't have to keep their relationship a secret from the rest of the gang anymore.