Ten Best Films Set in New York
The Travel Pages brings you its list of the ten best films set in New York, from the classic King Kong through timeless Woody Allen to the gritty Taxi Driver.
The 10 Best Films Set in New York
New York City has long been a cinematic playground, its skyline, streets, and energy providing the perfect backdrop for unforgettable stories. Whether you’re planning a trip to the Big Apple or reminiscing about your visit, these films capture the essence of NYC—its romance, grit, and endless possibilities. Here are our 10 best films set in New York, each offering a unique perspective on the city.
1. Manhattan (1979) – Directed by Woody Allen
Starring: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Michael Murphy
Woody Allen’s love letter to New York, shot in stunning black-and-white, follows a middle-aged comedy writer (Allen) navigating a messy love life. He dates a teenage girl (Mariel Hemingway) but falls for his best friend’s mistress (Keaton). The film’s iconic scenes—like the bench at sunrise by the Queensboro Bridge—showcase NYC’s romantic melancholy. The screenplay earned an Oscar nomination, and the film remains a timeless ode to the city’s intellectual and artistic charm. Find it here:
2. Taxi Driver (1976) – Directed by Martin Scorsese
Starring: Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, Cybill Shepherd
A gritty, neon-soaked nightmare of 1970s NYC, Taxi Driver follows Travis Bickle (De Niro), an unstable Vietnam vet who drives a cab through the city’s seedy underbelly. His obsession with “cleaning up” the streets leads to violent consequences. The film won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and features one of cinema’s most famous lines: “You talkin’ to me?” A haunting portrait of urban isolation, it captures a New York that’s both dangerous and mesmerizing. Find it here:
3. When Harry Met Sally (1989) – Directed by Rob Reiner
Starring: Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher
This quintessential rom-com explores whether men and women can be just friends, following Harry (Crystal) and Sally (Ryan) over 12 years of chance encounters in NYC. From autumn strolls in Central Park to the famous fake-orgasm scene at Katz’s Deli, the film immortalizes New York as the ultimate romantic backdrop. Nora Ephron’s razor-sharp script earned an Oscar nomination, and the film remains a beloved classic for its wit and heart. Find it here:
4. Do the Right Thing (1989) – Directed by Spike Lee
Starring: Spike Lee, Danny Aiello, John Turturro
Set on a scorching summer day in Brooklyn, Spike Lee’s masterpiece examines racial tensions in a predominantly Black neighborhood. When a conflict erupts between a pizzeria owner (Aiello) and a local resident (Lee), the film builds to a devastating climax. Nominated for two Oscars, including Best Original Screenplay, it’s a powerful, vibrant snapshot of NYC’s cultural melting pot—and the systemic injustices simmering beneath. Find it here:
5. Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) – Directed by Blake Edwards
Starring: Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Patricia Neal
Audrey Hepburn’s Holly Golightly is one of cinema’s most iconic New Yorkers—a glamorous socialite with a hidden vulnerability. The film follows her quirky romance with a struggling writer (Peppard) against a backdrop of Fifth Avenue luxury and Greenwich Village bohemia. Henry Mancini’s “Moon River” won an Oscar, and Hepburn’s little black dress and pearls remain synonymous with NYC sophistication. Find it here:
6. Ghostbusters (1984) – Directed by Ivan Reitman
Starring: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver
This supernatural comedy follows a team of eccentric scientists who start a ghost-catching business in NYC. From the firehouse HQ to the climactic battle atop a high-rise, the film turns the city into a playground for ghouls and laughs. Nominated for two Oscars (including Best Original Song), Ghostbusters blends New York’s gothic architecture with irreverent humor, making it a timeless favorite. Find it here:
7. West Side Story (1961) – Directed by Robert Wise & Jerome Robbins
Starring: Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno, Richard Beymer
A musical retelling of Romeo and Juliet, this film pits rival street gangs—the Jets and the Sharks—against each other in 1950s Manhattan. The dazzling dance sequences, set against tenement backdrops and playgrounds, earned it 10 Oscars, including Best Picture. The recent 2021 Spielberg remake also highlights NYC’s evolving yet enduring spirit. Find it here:
8. Annie Hall (1977) – Directed by Woody Allen
Starring: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Tony Roberts
This Best Picture winner dissects modern love through the neurotic romance of Alvy Singer (Allen) and the free-spirited Annie (Keaton). From intellectual Greenwich Village parties to Coney Island nostalgia, the film is a witty, bittersweet tour of NYC’s dating scene. Allen’s Oscar-winning screenplay remains one of the sharpest comedies ever made. Find it here:
9. The Apartment (1960) – Directed by Billy Wilder
Starring: Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, Fred MacMurray
A darkly comedic drama about a lonely office worker (Lemmon) who lends his apartment to his bosses for affairs—until he falls for one of their mistresses (MacLaine). Set in a corporate, pre-Disney Times Square, the film won five Oscars, including Best Picture, and captures NYC’s loneliness and unexpected connections. Find it here:
10. King Kong (1933) – Directed by Merian C. Cooper & Ernest B. Schoedsack
Starring: Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, Bruce Cabot
The original monster movie sees a giant ape brought from Skull Island to NYC, culminating in his tragic rampage atop the Empire State Building. A pioneer of special effects, the film cemented the skyscraper as a symbol of both human ambition and vulnerability—an essential NYC myth. Find it here:
Final Thoughts
These films showcase New York in all its glory—romantic, dangerous, magical, and real. Whether you’re walking through Central Park or staring up at the Empire State Building, these stories will deepen your appreciation for the city that never sleeps. Enjoy the movies, and let them guide your next NYC adventure!
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