What is the formula for the ideal New York movie? For starters, the movie has to be shot in New York. It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised to learn that many movies use other cities as stand-ins for NYC. Considering that many of the interior scenes were shot on a soundstage, not every scene needed to be shot in New York. At the very least, there should be some action taken on the busy streets of the Big Apple.
You could spend all day naming iconic movies set in New York. We focused on three films depicting iconic areas in five regions. These locations include a fully functioning firehouse, a treasured hotel, and a popular superhero’s neighborhood home.
3
Ghostbusters
A time capsule of 80s NYC
Who will you call? The phrase we all know and love comes from the theme Ghostbusters. In Ivan Reitman’s iconic sci-fi comedy, a group of paranormal professors – Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) and Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) – take to the streets of New York City to try to catch ghosts. Armed with proton packs and the Ectomobile, the Ghostbusters have become the most popular gang in town, so much so that they recruit Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson) to join their group.
As Ivan Reitman says Vanity Fair“I wanted the movie to be … my New York movie.” Taking advantage of New York City’s facilities, Reitman filmed at several of the Concrete Jungle’s most iconic locations—Columbia University, the New York Public Library Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, Tavern on the Green, and 55 Central Park West.
By far the most memorable place Ghostbusters Hook & Ladder Company 8 is a fire station located at 14 North Moore Street in Tribeca, Manhattan. Fans will quickly recognize the exterior of the firehouse as the Ghostbusters headquarters. Founded in 1903, Hook & Ladder Company 8 nearly closed in 2011, but thanks to a fundraising campaign, the city saved the firehouse. These days, you might see a certain Marshmallow Man It hangs outside the firehouse around Halloween.
- Release date
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June 8, 1984
- Execution time
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107 minutes
- Director
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Ivan Reitman
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Bill Murray
Peter Venkman
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Sigourney Weaver
Dana Barrett
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Harold Ramis
Egon Spengler
2
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Remember the Central Park scenes?
in the year Home Alone movies, Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) and family vacations don’t mix. In this the classic Christmas movie, Eight-year-old Kevin mistakenly stays at his home outside of Chicago while his family flies to Paris. Two years later, Kevin arrives at the airport and plans to spend Christmas with his family in Miami. After a chaotic dash through the airport, Kevin mistakenly boards the wrong plane and arrives in New York.
As Kevin crosses the Queensborough Bridge in one of the city’s iconic yellow cabs, Home alone 2 New York turns into a roller coaster of lights. Kevin wastes no time exploring the city, stopping at Radio City, the Empire Diner, Central Park, and the South Tower observation deck at the World Trade Center. Unfortunately, there is no Duncan Toy Chest in New York, although it was heavily inspired by FAO Schwarz.
Being in New York for the first time, Kevin seeks shelter at the luxurious Plaza Hotel located at 768 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, New York. If you go to the Plaza, you can see the iconic lobby and walk past the legendary Palm Court for afternoon tea. I doubt you’ll run into Donald Trump when you walk up to the front desk. Fans can now purchase a Home Alone Experience at the Plaza and ride in a limo like Kevin. Of course, you will be given your own cheese pizza.
- Release date
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November 19, 1992
- Execution time
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120 minutes
- Director
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Chris Columbus
1
Spider man
A great mix of iconic buildings and humble homes
A live action after decades in development hell Spider man it finally premiered in theaters in 2002. Directed by Sam Raimi, Spider man Tobey Maguire played Peter Parker, a plucky high school student who develops spider-like senses after being bitten by a genetically engineered spider. After developing his abilities, Peter chooses to fight crime as Spider-Man and protect the citizens of New York City from several enemies, including the Green Goblin, Norman Osborn (Willem Dafoe), a scientist and the father of Peter’s best friend Harry (James Franco).
With Spider-Man protecting the Empire City, Raimi made sure to highlight some of the best places NYC has to offer. When Peter moved to Manhattan, he took a photography job at the Daily Bugle, which had offices in the Flatiron Building. During the climactic battle, Spider-Man battles the Green Goblin on the Roosevelt Island Streetcar near the Queensboro Bridge. Other highlights include the New York Public Library in Bryant Park, the Lower Memorial Library, and the Rockefeller Center Roof Gardens.
It wouldn’t happen Spider man movie unless it included Peter’s house in Queens. Peter lived most of his childhood and teenage years with his Aunt May and Uncle Ben at 20 Ingram St. in Forest Hills, Queens. The actual house featured in the movie is located at 8839 69th Road in Forest Hills, Queens. 20 Ingram St. and many fans started writing letters to that address. What was real surname of the family living there? Parker.
- Release date
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May 2, 2002
- Execution time
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121 minutes
- Director
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Sam Raimi
- writers
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David Kopp
- Sequel(s)
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Spiderman 2, Spiderman 3
- Franchise(s)
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Marvel, Spider-Man
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Tobey Maguire
Spider-Man / Peter Parker
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Willem Dafoe
The Green Goblin / Norman Osborn
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Kirsten Dunst
Mary Jane Watson
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James Franco
Harry Osborne
If you’re in NYC, look out for iconic movie settings
All three locations are still in New York. Many fans of these films start searching for selfies everywhere. As mentioned earlier, there are thousands of New York movies, so stay tuned for more of our coverage.
