Summary

• NYC's vibrant energy inspires iconic films that capture the city's essence, from gritty dramas to heartwarming comedies.
• Iconic movies like Goodfellas transport viewers into the heart of NYC's organized crime scene, with realistic performances and settings.
• Directors like Scorsese and Ephron showcase NYC's diverse landscapes, making the city a character in timeless stories.

There is just something about the Big Apple that gets creativity flowing for directors far and wide. Whether it is the narrow alleyways or the bustling crowds, the towering skyscrapers or the cultural diversity, New York City has plenty of energy that can be translated to the silver screen. As the second most filmed city in the world, there are over 300,000 movies set in New York City, with production reaching a peak in the year 2019, according to the New York Times.

New York is not just a massive concrete jungle; within its nooks and crannies lie beautiful and gritty backdrops for telling dramatic stories of all genres. The dynamic locations coupled with the city’s endless cast of colorful characters have fueled some of the most memorable movies of all time. Take Goodfellas, for instance. The movie captures the city’s street gang presence from the 1950s to the 1980s in all its glory. Compare that to Home Alone 2, which takes viewers on a visual and emotional rollercoaster across landmarks like Central Park and Rockefeller Center.

With its rapid pace of life and architecture that comprises both elegant and edgy, New York offers endless opportunities to capture human drama and intrigue. It is easy to see why directors just cannot seem to get enough of the city as a character. As fans, we’re more than delighted to experience New York City, come to vibrant, three-dimensional life and tell timeless stories.

20 Big Daddy (1999)

After his girlfriend dumps him for an older man, Sonny Koufax (Adam Sandler), a 32-year-old slacker, pretends to be a suburban dad to impress her by vowing to take care of Julian McGrath, a five-year-old boy left at their apartment door with a note that says he is Sonny’s roommate’s son. After spending time with Julian and having several comic adventures, Sonny forms a bond with him and decides to really be the paternal figure he needs.

Adam Sandler Shines as the Father Figure

Even though the story of Big Daddy is predictable, under Dennis Dugan’s direction, it sweeps the viewers off of their feet by being entertaining and humorous. Adam Sandler taps into his full comedic gifts as the film's lead alongside Dylan and Cole Sprouse’s scene-stealing Kevin. Genuine moments of innocence and sentimentality create a modern classic against the backdrop of Manhattan. Stream on Hulu

19 The Night We Never Met (1993)

An underrated romantic comedy, The Night We Never Met centers around Brian (Kevin Anderson), Sam (Matthew Broderick) and Ellen (Annabella Sciorra) — three individuals living in New York City. They timeshare an apartment in such a way that each of them gets the flat two days a week. Sam and Ellen never cross each other’s paths and leave each other notes instead. But, when Brian and Sam switch their schedules, Ellen confuses Brian to be the guy she is falling in love with.

Understated Indie Drama About Youth

Directed by Warren Leight with an understated finesse, this indie movie features performances from then-unknown Matthew Broderick, Annabella Sciorra and Kevin Anderson. The shots of graffiti-tinged back alleys and subway trains take you back to grindhouse-era New York, and when the bittersweet climax arrives, it leaves you shattered and satisfied at the same time. Overall, The Night We Never Met takes a unique premise about aimless youth and transforms it into a subtle beauty. Stream on Hoopla

18 Metropolitan (1990)

Written and directed by Whit Stillman in his feature directorial debut, Metropolitan follows a group of young and privileged socialites as they plunge headfirst into the debutante ball season during their winter break. As upper class Manhattanites, their coming of age stories have a stark contrast with those of the outsiders. The friends, who meet every night, share their opinions on fate and socialism, conformity, finding purpose, and wanting to break free.

Offers a Glimpse Into NYC’s High Society

From the snow-dusted Park Avenue to the downtown club scene, Stillman’s portrayal of elite late 80s New York culture is truly mesmerizing. The dialogue is sharp, and the humor is wry, which aligns perfectly with the movie’s social commentary about soul-searching within privileged youth. The ensemble of rising stars includes Carolyn Farina, Chris Eigeman, and Taylor Nichols, who bring to life the witty debates around inherited wealth in a unique way. Overall, Metropolitan is an ironic comedy drama, one that would go on to earn a Best Original Screenplay nomination at the Academy Awards. Stream on Max

17 The Prince of Tides (1991)

Directed by Barbra Streisand and also starring Streisand opposite Nick Nolte, The Prince of Tides is a moving romance adapted from Pat Conroy's 1986 novel of the same name. Tom Wingo (Nolte), a troubled football coach from South Carolina, arrives in New York to seek help for his sister from Susan (Streisand), a psychiatrist. Despite being determined to hate the city, Tom has a change of heart after forging an unlikely connection with Susan.

Epic Love Story in the City That Never Sleeps

Streisand’s second directorial attempt is just as masterful, cathartic and gripping as her debut. Its fusion of psychological themes with an understated romance is timeless. Nolte and Streisand have a beautiful chemistry and the visceral emotionality of their characters is worth praising. As for the New York scenes, it is Nolte who is seen strolling past the Corner Bookstore on 93rd and Madison and losing himself in bustling Grand Central Station. The movie, in Roger Ebert's words, is “an assured and very serious love story that allows neither humor nor romance to get in the way of its deeper and darker subject.” Stream on Paramount+

16 Vanya on 42nd Street (1994)

A truly original concept penned by Andre Gregory and directed by famed filmmaker Louis Malle, Vanya on 42nd Street is an imaginative recreation of Anton Chekhov’s iconic tragicomedy. In it, we follow a group of down-on-their-luck actors as they gather in a crumbling New York theater on West 42nd Street to perform an improvised version of Uncle Vanya. With no intention of actually staging it, the actors are seen in street clothes, with Malle capturing them in their truest form.

Captures Authentic Stage Spirit

Vanya on 42nd Street offers a fresh take on Chekhov's play, one we did not know would become an essential title in the history of filmmaking. Producer/director Malle adapts for the grimy early 90s New York's Times Square scenario and uses the environs to his benefit, lending the production authenticity, subtlety, and gravitas. Strong performances from Wallace Shawn as Vanya and Julianne Moore as Yelena add humor, grace, fulfillment, and an overall sense of melancholy to the movie. Stream on Tubi

15 Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

Following the outstanding box office success of the 1990 film, director Chris Columbus returned with the second film in the Home Alone franchise, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. This time around, Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) is not left alone at home during Christmas. Instead, an unwitting mixup sends him on a flight to New York City while his family spends the holiday in Miami. As Kevin navigates the bustling city streets and befriends an old lady, he comes face to face with two of his old enemies, played by a returning Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern, who have just escaped prison.

Christmas Classic Arrives at the Big Apple

Yet another Christmas classic, this energetic film dials the fun up by several notches. The sequel is not only bigger and louder, but it also captures the dizzying scale of New York City when it's time for celebrations. Columbus establishes a bunch of cool shots of Central Park and Rockefeller Center and The Plaza Hotel and even the World Trade Center, as Macaulay Culkin proves himself to be just as cheeky and resourceful. Stream on Disney+

14 Kids (1995)

A twisted coming-of-age drama described by the New York Times as “Lord of the Flies with skateboards, nitrous oxide and hip-hop", Kids documents the lives of a group of skateboarding, rapping, and partying teenagers in mid-90s Manhattan. Among them is the main character Telly (Leo Fitzpatrick), who is on a quest to have sex with as many girls as possible without telling them he’s HIV positive. Meanwhile, each of his friends navigate the highs and lows of adolescence.

Forgotten Coming-of-Age Classic

Kids is directed by Larry Clark, who cast relatively unknown teenagers handpicked carefully from the streets of New York to make sure his characters were painfully authentic. And even though certain scenes and themes divided viewers, the movie captivated critics with its aggressive and unpredictable cinematography. The hip-hop and rock-driven soundtrack became synonymous with the rebellious energy that drove its characters and the urban landscape became referential to a forgotten time. Kids is currently unavailable on streaming.

13 Men in Black (1997)

Men in Black is based on Lowell Cunningham’s comic book series of the same name. The first installment in an award-winning science fiction franchise, it follows James (Will Smith), a New York City cop who is approached by Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) and inducted into a secret organization that monitors and regulates communication with aliens living on Earth. With Agent K by his side, James must take on the most bizarre cases and figure out which extraterrestrial stole an important item from the agency.

Sonnenfeld’s First Sci-Fi Spectacle

Big on relentless action and outrageous comedy, Men in Black established itself as a highly rewatchable sci-fi blockbuster. It was directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, and it starred Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones alongside supporting actors like Linda Fiorentino, Vincent D'Onofrio, and Rip Torn. To depict the Big Apple as a city inhabited by aliens was no joke, but the movie pulled it off seamlessly. It also used the giant structure of the Brooklyn–Battery Tunnel as the outside of MIB headquarters. Rent on Apple TV

12 You've Got Mail (1998)

The city that never sleeps has long been an ideal backdrop for the fuzziest and breeziest romances. You’ve Got Mail is yet another Nora Ephron-directed rom-com from the 1990s that people still love rewatching. It centers around Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan), an independent bookstore owner, and Joe Fox (Tom Hanks), the CEO of a massive bookstore chain. The two become pen pals in an online chatroom and fall for each other. However, what they don’t know is that they are business rivals in real life.

Love in a Digital Age

Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks are luminous yet again in this witty and refreshing romantic comedy that adapts itself according to the digital age. As the movie progresses, Ryan and Hanks’ chemistry grows and fans are made familiar with their parallel lifestyles. One resides in SoHo and the other in suburban Connecticut. Overall feel-good and charming, You’ve Got Mail is an ode to celebrating life’s simple pleasures and honoring unlikely connections as they come. Stream on Netflix

11 Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

The final film by the master of psychological drama before he tragically passed away from a heart attack, Eyes Wide Shut is Stanley Kubrick’s heaviest and most visually stunning movie of all time. It tells the story of Bill Harfrod, a physician in New York City, who hears about his wife’s sexual fantasy and embarks on a night-long dreamlike journey, ending up at an underground club that is obsessed with sex.

Hallucinatory Portrait of New York City

The movie focuses on the bizarre hidden lives of Manhattan’s wealthy elites, and in order to bring this elaborate and authentic nightlife on screen, Kubrick staged an extravagant recreation of the Big Apple from within the United Kingdom. Not only did he recreate the exteriors of Greenwich Village from scratch, but Kubrick went as far as replicating the true distance between landmarks on the streets of Manhattan. This was because he wanted the city to become a character with its own haunting beauty. With Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman delivering their career-best performances, it’s no wonder Eyes Wide Shut is a classic NYC thriller, even if it was incredibly polarizing at the time of its release. Rent on Apple TV

10 Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)

The third film in the Die Hard film series, Die Hard with a Vengeance begins with a man identifying himself as Simon, as he terrorizes New York City by blowing up a department store. He warns the police about more attacks unless they present Detective John McClane (Bruce Willis). When Simon tries to rob billions from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York Building, McClane teams up with an unwilling electrician named Zeus (Samuel L. Jackson) and races against time to bust Simon.

A Winning Third Installment

Nail-biting in its premise and more compelling than the previous films, Die Hard with a Vengeance is loaded with cryptic clues and deadly games playing out across all five boroughs of New York City. Bruce Willis and Jeremy Irons are superb rivals, with Samuel L. Jackson lending phenomenal support. The dynamic score matches the pace of the narrative as the characters traverse iconic landmarks and sunlit avenues. Overall, the movie offers breathless fun and explosive action. Rent on Apple TV

9 Rounders (1998)

Rounders is a clever crime drama starring Matt Damon and Edward Norton in the lead roles. Damon plays the role of NYC law student and gifted poker player Mike McDermott. After he loses an enormous sum of money in a game, Mike quits poker. Several months later, he meets his childhood friend Lester Murphy (Norton), who, fresh out of prison, asks for his help in paying off a debt. Thus begins a high-stakes game of win or lose.

High-Stakes Poker Thriller

Naturally, Damon and Norton are the highlight of this mischievously fun thriller from director John Dahl. The antagonists are played by John Malkovich and John Turturro, with their rendering of ruthless gamblers adding to the suspense. Critics praise the depiction of late-night games and rain-soaked streets as accurate and atmospheric, adding to the palpable tension found throughout. To add, Phil Gordon, a professional poker player, had this to say about the film on PokerListings: “There have been lots of movies that have included poker, but only Rounders really captures the energy and tension in the game. And that's why it stands as the best poker movie ever made.” Stream on Hoopla

8 Crooklyn (1994)

Based on Spike Lee’s own experiences growing up in the Bedford–Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, and written by Lee with his siblings Joie and Cinqué, Crooklyn revolves around a young girl named Troy. Living with her overbearing mother, naive father, and four rowdy brothers (Clinton, Wendell, Nate, and Joseph), she comes of age in an era of upheaval in the political and cultural domain.

Spike Lee’s Love Letter to Brooklyn

Crooklyn offers a nostalgic look at 1970s Brooklyn by focusing on Troy’s formative childhood. From the close-knit community to the familiar faces, the authentic locations to the charming characters, they all come together to capture the spirit of the sights and sounds of a city that shaped the futures of many. It stars Zelda Harris, Alfre Woodard, and Delroy Lindo in the main roles, with Lee making an appearance as Snuffy, a young man who bullies the local children. Rent on Apple TV

7 Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

One of the most successful romantic comedies of the 1990s, Sleepless in Seattle follows a recently widowed Sam Baldwin (TRom Hanks) finding it impossible for himself to move on from the loss of his wife. His eight-year-old son, Jonah, takes notice, and calls a radio show seeking a new wife for his father. Elsewhere, Annie Reed (Meg Ryan0, a journalist in Baltimore, finds herself moved by Sam’s story. She writes to him, asking him to meet atop the Empire State Building on Valentine's Day, and races to the city herself.

A Timeless 90s Romance

Set against the backdrop of a romantic Seattle and New York City, Sleepless in Seattle is a generation-defining classic. Directed by Nora Ephron with her signature charm and humor, it stars Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. It goes without saying that they have incredible chemistry. Some iconic scenes like Ryan’s trip to the Empire State Building immerse you in 90s New York City energy. While the movie celebrates love, it is also quite uplifting and realistic, making you root for a “happily ever after” that seems plausible. Stream on Max

6 Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)

Adapted from a 1984 Pulitzer Prize–winning play of the same name written by David Mamet, Glengarry Glen Ross is a critically acclaimed drama that many consider to be one of the best films of the 1990s. Set in a struggling Chicago real estate office, it follows the professional lives of four salesmen who face mounting pressure and infighting as management tries to weed out underperformers. They hatch a plan to steal the business, but it lands them in trouble.

Navigates a Toxic Workplace

Directed by James Foley and featuring a star-studded cast made up of Al Pacino, Alec Baldwin, Ed Harris, Alan Arkin, Kevin Spacey and Jack Lemmon, the movie is a tense and thorough drama. It stages a claustrophobic environment to induce palpable aggression, greed and toxicity into the narrative. The monologues are searing and the critique of capitalism’s dark side is riveting and sharp. Shot on location in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, Glengarry Glen Ross has lingered in our memory for decades after its original release. Stream on Netflix

5 Léon: The Professional (1994)

In Léon: The Professional, Natalie Portman stars as 12-year-old Mathilda, a lonely girl living in a dysfunctional household. One day, while returning home, she witnesses corrupt DEA agent Norman Stansfield brutally murdering her family. She seeks help from Léon, a stranger who lives down the hall. Mathilda discovers that Léon is a skilled hitman and insists on becoming her protégé, eventually entering the violent underworld of contract killing and seeking revenge on Stansfield.

Features and Unlikely Dynamic

Shocking, sentimental, and controversial at the time, Luc Besson’s movie oozes with style, elegance, action, drama and tenderness. Léon: The Professional was Portman’s first R-rated movie, and she gave a powerhouse performance opposite Jean Reno’s titular hitman. Their guarded friendship flourished against the backdrop of gritty streets and a realistic portrayal of justice. Certain tense moments like Mathilda begging outside of Léon’s apartment have become ingrained in our collective memories. Stream on Netflix