23 Movies Filmed in NEW YORK (Amazing, Dramatic & Exciting)
New York City serves as an important center for the entertainment sector.
Because of this, it has hosted various filming locations, and its landmarks and neighborhoods have served as backgrounds for several movies.
New York has a unique energy and spirit that has given itself to an astounding diversity of genres, making it a favorite setting for filmmakers.
These genres vary from romantic comedies to gritty criminal dramas.
New York provides endless options for filmmakers seeking a distinctive and authentic metropolis.
There is unquestionably something compelling about viewing a movie with New York as the setting since it never fails to awe viewers.
And by the way, you may also want to check out the best Movie Theaters in New York.
Movies Filmed in Albany, New York
1. The Time Machine (2002)
The 2002 science fiction film “The Time Machine” transports viewers on a thrilling trip through time.
This spectacular landmark, built in the late 19th century, perfectly captured the time-traveling moments in the film.
The journey of a time traveler through multiple ages is at the heart of the plot.
Capitol Building, which boasts stunning architecture and a grand staircase that made the ideal setting for the dramatic conclusion, was the location of another scene.
These historic features were meticulously maintained while the futuristic setting was required.
The Ten Broeck Mansion, a famous 18th-century residence that served as the filming location for the time traveler’s 1899 laboratory, was one of several Albany locales in addition to the Capitol Building that served as backdrops for multiple scenes in the movie.
Movie Rating (IMDb): 5.9/10
Filming Location: The New York State Capitol building and Ten Eyck Plaza Building, Albany.
2. Ironweed (1987)
Francis Phelan, a former baseball player who has fallen on hard times and is currently homeless in Albany, New York, is the subject of the drama movie “Ironweed.”
Albany, which was the location used for filming, is significant to the plot and setting of the movie.
One of the filming locations for the picture was the Ten Broeck Mansion, a magnificent 18th-century home in the Arbour Hill section of Albany.
Francis Phelan’s heartwarming reunion with his estranged wife was one of several key scenes in the movie.
St. Agnes Cemetery served as another backdrop for filming, and it was the ideal setting for the spooky, unsettling atmosphere of the movie.
The vast grounds and gloomy ambiance of the cemetery added even more depth and substance to the film’s themes of salvation and death.
Ironweed tells a moving story while showcasing the elegance and complexity of Albany’s structures and architecture.
The film’s utilization of the city’s landmarks and cultural assets gives the already riveting plot an extra degree of authenticity and depth, making it a must-see for anybody interested in the history and culture of Albany, New York.
Movie Rating (IMDb): 6.7/10
Filming Location: Jay Street at Lark Street, Albany Rural Cemetery, and Miss Albany Diner on North Broadway, Albany.
3. A Ghost Story (2017)
The 1981 supernatural horror film “Ghost Story” was adapted from the Peter Straub novel.
New York City Hall building served as the backdrop.
Its stunning grandeur and commanding stature of City Hall provided the ideal backdrop for the spooky and unpleasant atmosphere of the movie.
The enormous and austere interiors of the structure, particularly its magnificent staircases and elaborate passageways, make the film’s eerie and scary atmosphere.
Its story is given a sense of weight and history by using City Hall as a filming site, highlighting the far-reaching effects of the men’s deeds.
Ghost Story tells a terrifying story while showcasing Albany’s rich cultural legacy.
Its utilization of the city’s landmarks and cultural riches gives the already fascinating tale an extra dimension of credibility and depth, making it an absolute must for lovers of horror films and Albany’s history alike.
Movie Rating (IMDb): 6.3/10
Filming Location: Former Union Station, Albany.
4. Salt (2010)
Albany is the backdrop for several iconic scenes from the action thriller Salt, starring Angelina Jolie.
The film’s high-stakes plot is further grounded in realism by using the city’s landmark New York State Capitol building as the backdrop for several stressful sequences.
Jolie portrays Evelyn Salt, a CIA agent suspected of being a Russian sleeper agent, in the movie Salt.
Salt must manoeuver a web of intrigue and deception to clear her name and defend her loved ones, which forces her to face her troubled past.
The movie is already thrilling, but filming in Albany heightens the stress.
In addition to the Capitol building, Salt also had scenes shot at the Glass Tower and the Alfred E. Smith State Office Building in Albany.
These settings give the movie a sense of reality and authenticity that draws spectators into the strong-stakes world of spies and secret agents depicted in Salt.
Albany’s utilization as a filming site for Salt lends more mystery and dimension to an already compelling movie.
The film establishes a sense of reality by employing the city’s famous landmarks as a backdrop, viewers in its intricate and exciting plot.
Movie Rating (IMDb): 6.4/10
Filming Location: Water Street, Albany.
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Movies Filmed in Brooklyn, New York
1. Do the Right Thing (1989)
“Do the Right Thing” is a famous movie filmed in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant.
On a steamy summer day in the multiracial and cosmopolitan Brooklyn neighborhood, the film addresses themes of racial conflict and police violence.
Characters range from pizza shop owners to locals and have distinct viewpoints and experiences that add to the overall narrative of the community’s challenges.
Its charismatic cinematography is one of its most prominent features.
The visual panorama created by the film’s mix of color and design brilliantly depicts the vitality.
This film is still a potent and significant work of American cinema because its themes and relevancy have not changed over time.
“Do the Right Thing” is a work of art.
It is still a must-see movie for anybody interested in Brooklyn’s history, cultural relevance, and influence on American society.
Movie Rating (IMDb): 8/10
Filming Location: Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.
2. Brooklyn (2015)
Brooklyn is a romantic movie story of a young Irish immigrant named Eilis Lacey.
She moves to Brooklyn and falls in love with an Italian-American man.
The film, directed by John Crowley and starring Saoirse Ronan and Emory Cohen, was primarily filmed on location in Brooklyn, capturing the beauty and diversity of the borough.
This film shows the beauty of Brooklyn.
Places captured in the movie include Brooklyn Bridge, Coney Island, and the famous brownstone-lined streets of the borough’s neighborhoods.
The film also highlights the immigrant experience in Brooklyn, with Eilis navigating her new life in a strange land, finding work, making new friends, and eventually falling in love.
Both critics and viewers alike gave “Brooklyn” high marks for its exquisite storytelling, faultless acting, and breathtaking images.
The film’s themes of love, sorrow, and identity make it a timeless masterpiece that perfectly portrays the spirit of Brooklyn.
Whether you are a native New Yorker or a lover of excellent storytelling, “Brooklyn” is a crucial movie that perfectly depicts the allure of this beloved metropolis.
Movie Rating (IMDb): 7.5/10
Filming Location: Coney Island, Gravesend, Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn.
3. Good Time (2017)
The Safdie brothers’ grim criminal film “Good Time” was released in 2017 and stars Robert Pattinson.
Brooklyn serves as the setting for the movie.
It highlights the borough’s urban environment and varied neighborhoods.
In the movie, Robert Pattinson plays Connie Nikas.
A bank robber makes it through Brooklyn’s seedy underbelly to release his brother from prison.
As Connie works against the time to protect his brother from harm, the movie’s dramatic, fast-paced plot puts viewers on the edge of their seats.
The Safdie twins capture the gritty essence of Brooklyn using handheld cameras and natural lighting.
Oneohtrix Point Never spellbinding original score for the movie further contributes to its moody atmosphere.
The plot, thrilling acting, and gorgeous cinematography received high praise.
With its depiction of Brooklyn’s seedy side and the characters’ desperation, “Good Time” presents a fresh and fascinating viewpoint on the borough, bringing out its complexity and inconsistencies.
Anyone seeking an intense, immersive cinematic experience that reflects the spirit and heart of Brooklyn must see the movie.
Movie Rating (IMDb): 7.3/10
Filming Location: 7th Avenue Subway Station and 80th Street Station, Brooklyn.
4. Moonstruck (1987)
Moonstruck is a Romantic comedy.
The Brooklyn Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, served as the setting for the film, which included several well-known Brooklyn locations.
It contributed significantly to its success and has helped it stand the test of time.
The way Brooklyn has shown in Moonstruck is one of its distinctive features.
Moonstruck represents Brooklyn as a pleasant, energetic neighborhood with people and a deep cultural heritage.
Brooklyn’s portrayal in the film altered the public view of the borough and aided in its rise in popularity.
Cranberry Street served as the backdrop for the iconic scene of the film.
Brooklyn served as the backdrop for several notable passages in Moonstruck.
It features Loretta Castorini as Cher strolling through the busy streets of Brooklyn Heights.
Overall, Brooklyn’s representation in Moonstruck is a tribute to the borough’s distinct charm and personality.
The film made Brooklyn more well-known as a destination for culture.
Movie Rating (IMDb): 7.1/10
Filming Location: Brooklyn Heights, Carroll Gardens, and the Grand Prospect Hall, Brooklyn.
5. The Departed (2006)
The Departed is a highly regarded crime thriller movie.
This story takes place in Boston, shot in Brooklyn, New York.
The way that Brooklyn transformed into Boston during the production of The Departed is one of its distinctive features.
They do this by carefully choosing specific Brooklyn areas, the mood, and the architecture of Boston.
For instance, the filmmakers recreated the South Boston neighborhood using Bay Ridge in Brooklyn.
The Steiner Studios in Brooklyn Navy Yard serve for several of the film’s interior sequences.
Brooklyn was chosen as a shooting location so that the filmmakers may benefit from its personality and environment.
The studios provided a selection of soundstages and production facilities, ideal for building intricate sets for the film.
Choosing Brooklyn as the shooting location for The Departed was a smart move that allowed the directors to construct a film that felt genuine to its Boston setting.
The Departed is a classic because of its unique Brooklyn settings and the accessibility of top-notch production facilities.
Movie Rating (IMDb): 8.5/10
Filming Location: Red Hook, DUMBO, and Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.
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Movies Filmed in Queens, New York
1. Men in Black (1997)
Men in Black, a 1997 science fiction action comedy starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, is a well-liked classic.
Much of its shoot is in Queens, New York.
The decision to shoot in Queens was intentional, and it contributed to giving viewers a distinct sense of New York City.
Men in Black used Queens as a filming site, and one of its distinctive features was the way it highlighted the borough’s different neighborhoods.
Numerous well-known Queens landmarks, including the Queensboro Bridge and the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, are depicted in the film.
These places allowed the filmmakers to establish a sense of familiarity.
The producers benefit from Queens’ extensive cultural heritage by choosing the borough as a shooting location.
This incident in the film contributed to the audience’s feelings of familiarity and nostalgia.
The decision to film in Queens for Men in Black was brilliant for the producers to convey a real sense of New York City.
Men in Black became a treasured classic that endures thanks to the usage of specific Queens locations and the borough’s rich cultural history.
Movie Rating (IMDb): 8.5/10
Filming Location: Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, the Unisphere, and the New York State Pavilion, Queens.
2. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
The movie “Spider-Man: Homecoming” offers a new perspective on a comic book character.
It also highlights the Queens neighborhood of New York City.
The movie director, Jon Watts, decided to shoot on-site in Queens.
It gives the movie a realistic feel and reflects the essence of the character’s heritage.
Peter Parker sprints through the streets of Queens while donning headphones to listen to music.
The Queensboro Bridge and the Astoria neighborhood, among other real Queens locales, served as the backdrop for this scene and others throughout the movie.
Peter’s high school, the Midtown School of Science and Technology, served as the Queens High School for the Sciences at York College.
The principal of the school, played by actress Laura Harrier, is named after the institution’s previous headmaster.
Overall, “Spider-Man: Homecoming” offers a distinctive perspective on the character
It also authentically and excitingly portrays the borough of Queens.
Authentic locales and regional flavors add the dimension of delight and help the film feel grounded and relatable.
Movie Rating (IMDb): 7.4/10
Filming Location: Astoria, Long Island City, and Forest Hills, Queens, New York.
3. Coming to America (1988)
Eddie Murphy plays an African prince who visits Queens, New York, in the 1988 comedy “Coming to America” in search of true love.
This film is known for its Queens setting, funny humor, and endearing characters.
The locations are the Queensboro Bridge and the Forest Hills Long Island Rail Road station.
To give the movie a realistic feel and portray the spirit of the borough, the movie’s director, John Landis, chose to film on-site in Queens.
The fictional McDowell fast-food restaurant is the setting for one of the most famous sequences, filmed on Queens Boulevard in Elmhurst.
Fans of the film have since made frequent trips to the establishment.
Coming to America shows off diversity and liveliness.
For those who live in Queens or have pleasant recollections of visiting the borough, actual locales in the movie provide realism and nostalgia.
Movie Rating (IMDb): 7.1/10
Filming Location: Elmhurst and Queens Boulevard, Queens.
4. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
The Royal Tenenbaums is a comedy-drama film.
It depicts a dysfunctional family of former kid prodigies who reunite after a long separation.
The majority of the outside shots took place in the borough of Queens.
A real-life home on Convent Avenue in the Queens neighborhood of Hamilton Heights served as the backdrop for the famed Tenenbaum house.
The movie uses Queens as a shooting location and pays homage to the borough in several subtle ways.
All things considered, “The Royal Tenenbaums” is a superb illustration of how Queens is a stand-in for other areas.
It has received high praise from critics.
The movie’s utilization of actual locales in the borough gives the narrative an extra degree of reality and subtly and artfully highlights Queens’ distinctive personality.
Movie Rating (IMDb): 7.6/10
Filming Location: Forest Hills and the West Side Tennis Club, Queens.
5. John Wick (2014)
Keanu Reeves plays a former hitman in the action thriller John Wick who seeks retribution from the Russian mobsters who killed his dog.
The movie has become renowned for its gripping action sequences, chic cinematography, and remarkable world-building.
Queens is where many of the crucial action scenes take place.
One of the most iconic sequences occurs in the Red Circle nightclub.
The sleek and contemporary decor enhances the aesthetic of the movie.
It provides an exciting shootout between John Wick and his adversaries.
In the 5Pointz graffiti building, an action scene happened.
John Wick shows off rich and gritty characters in addition to its spectacular action and superb world-building.
Actual locales in the borough give the narrative an extra degree of authenticity and exemplification.
Movie Rating (IMDb): 7.4/10
Filming Location: Calvary Cemetery and Laurel Hill Boulevard, Queens.
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Movies filmed in the Bronx, New York
1. A Beautiful Mind (2001)
While the majority of A Beautiful Mind is set at the esteemed institutions of Princeton and MIT.
A sizable chunk of the movie takes place in the Bronx.
The film chronicles the battle of great mathematician John Nash with mental illness and his quest for equilibrium and acceptance.
Nash and his wife take their small boy to the Bronx Zoo for a day out, where one of the most unforgettable events in the movie occurs.
Other Bronx locations, in addition to the Bronx Zoo, were also utilized for various scenes throughout the movie.
Emotional struggle contrasted with the lively ambiance of the zoo in this scene, which also highlights the rich cultural offers of the Bronx.
For instance, the facade of Fordham University served as the model for the fictional Princeton University.
The University of Oxford in England served for the inside scenes.
A Beautiful Mind provides an insightful depiction of both genius and mental illness.
It also highlights the splendor and diversity of the Bronx.
Movie Rating (IMDb): 7.4/10
Filming Location: Bronx Zoo and facade of Fordham University, Bronx.
2. Big Daddy (1999)
Adam Sandler and Joey Lauren Adams star in the comedy movie Big Daddy from 1999.
This movie was a financial success, and fans continue to adore it today.
The use of real-life locales, including several scenes shot in the Bronx, is one of the distinctive features.
Pelham Bay Park was the location used in the movie.
Several moments in the film use the breathtaking scenery and recreational activities as its backdrop, including a standout scene where the character Sonny takes his adoptive son to the playground.
City Island, a tiny island off the coast of the Bronx noted for its seafood eateries and charming atmosphere, is another site used in the movie.
In a humorous scene, Sonny and his friends try to impress their dates by taking them to a posh seafood restaurant on City Island.
Big Daddy beautifully captures the charm and beauty of the Bronx.
Movie Rating (IMDb): 6.4/10
Filming Location: Pelham Bay Park and City Island, Bronx.
3. Carlito’s Way (1993)
Al Pacino and Sean Penn are the main characters in the crime movie Carlito’s Way.
It is authenticity and grim reality depicted by certain scenes that take place on location in the Bronx.
The Bronx County Courthouse on the Grand Concourse is one of the most noteworthy sites utilized in the movie.
This legendary courthouse escape scene, in which Carlito and his pals daringly leave the building, was one of several intense moments in this gorgeous structure.
The Woodlawn Cemetery is the setting for a crucial sequence and was one of several Bronx locales used for filming in addition to the courthouse.
Actual locales in the Bronx lend the story an extra depth of authenticity.
The distinctive combination of urban and suburban countryside and rich cultural legacy makes it the ideal location for the themes of loyalty, atonement, and criminality.
Fans of the genre should see it because it uses real-life locations.
Movie Rating (IMDb): 7.9/10
Filming Location: Bronx County Courthouse, Bronx.
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Movies Filmed in Rochester, New York
1. The Empty Man (2020)
The Empty Man is a horror film shot in and around Rochester, New York.
Their production crew used many settings, from the industrial regions to rolling hills, to create an uncomfortable environment for the audience.
The abandoned Rochester tube station is the location of one of the most recognizable moments.
Even locals who lived nearby served as extras for a few moments.
The scenic beauty and urban degradation were the perfect settings for the movie.
Filmmakers looking for a distinctive and captivating setting for their films are increasingly choosing Rochester.
The Empty Man is a terrifying horror film.
This location provides its audience with a captivating and unnerving experience.
The terrifying parts blended perfectly with the gloomy underground environment.
Movie Rating (IMDb): 6.2/10
Filming Location: Abandoned tube station, Rochester.
2. The Purge: Election Year (2016)
Horror movie The Purge: Election Year shooting took place in Rochester, a stunning location.
The story follows a senator running for president.
He becomes the target of a Purge assassination plan in a future America where any crime is legal for 12 hours once a year.
It stands out for its ability to showcase beauty while offering a terrifying horror experience.
Viewers are kept on the edge of their seats by the tension created by the juxtaposition between calm surroundings and the horrible violence of the Purge.
Additionally, the story poses intriguing queries about politics and power.
It depicts the conflict with the dishonest politicians who profit from the annual Purge while he fights for a future America without it.
The movie gains complexity from this political commentary, which makes it more interesting for audiences.
In conclusion, The Purge: Election Year is a distinct and compelling horror movie that depicts Rochester.
Movie Rating (IMDb): 6.0/10
Filming Location: Rochester.
3. The Yards (2000)
Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, and Joaquin Phoenix starred in the 2000 murder thriller The Yards.
The film was shot in New York City, although Yonkers also provided several locations, notably the Yonkers railway station.
Leo (Wahlberg), a young guy who is freed from prison and returns to his Bronx home, is the main character of The Yards.
Working in the Yards tube car repair facility for his uncle Frank (James Caan), he makes to keep morale.
However, he quickly finds himself over his head after getting sucked into his shady business dealings.
Yonkers serves as the ideal setting for the gritty, authentic tone of the film.
The gritty appearance and atmosphere contribute to the film and help to make the location into a character in and of itself.
Yonkers enhances realism and helps to make the plot come to life.
Movie Rating (IMDb): 6.4/10
Filming Location: Yonkers railway station, Yonkers, New York.
4. Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio star in biographical crime drama Catch Me If You Can from 2002.
The Yonkers railway station plays a significant role in the film as the place where Hanratty captures Abagnale when he tries to flee.
Several sequences, notably those at the Yonkers railway station and Getty Square, took place in Yonkers, New York.
The movie depicts the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr. (DiCaprio), a man who pretended to be a Pan Am pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer before he turned 19.
Hanks portrays FBI agent Carl Hanratty, driven to apprehend Abagnale.
The distinctive design and historical significance enhance the visual appeal.
Additionally, a scene where Abagnale is handing out pamphlets for a bogus company he invented is in crowded Getty Square.
The crowded streets and businesses contribute to the overall setting and time of the film.
Catch Me If You Can was a commercial and critical hit that garnered multiple nominations and awards.
Movie Rating (IMDb): 8.1/10
Filming Location: Yonkers railway station and Getty Square, Yonkers, New York.
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Movies Filmed in Buffalo, New York
1. The True Adventures of Wolfboy (2019)
The True Adventures of Wolfboy was filmed in Buffalo, New York.
Its creators also made rich cultural diversity through the Buffalo Bills football team and chicken wings.
It highlights the beauty and distinctiveness of the city.
The movie centers on Paul.
He suffered a unique illness.
It causes hair to grow on every part of his body.
He experiences constant bullying from his peers, so he decides to go on a quest to find his mother.
The Albright-Knox Art Gallery and the Central Terminal are famous Buffalo locales.
Practical effects to realistically depict the condition are a distinctive feature.
The True Adventures of Wolfboy portrays Buffalo culture in its entirety.
This film serves as a reminder of the value of accepting diversity and beauty in the most unexpected locations.
Movie Rating (IMDb): 5.7/10
Filming Locations: Red Top Hots, the South Buffalo Lighthouse, Woodlawn Beach, Niagara Falls.
2. Marshall (2017)
Marshall is a movie based on the early life of the first African American justice of the Supreme Court.
This movie features the landmarks of Buffalo.
The story follows the portrayal of Thurgood Marshall as he defends a black man accused of rape in a case rife with racial overtones.
Due to the rich history and architecture of the city, which closely approximate the era in which the movie was, the filmmakers decided to film in Buffalo.
The robust African American population, significant to the civil rights struggle, is also highlighted in the film.
Overall, Marshall honors parts of Buffalo in the civil rights fight narrative of a significant figure in American history.
This film serves as a reminder of the value of standing up for what is right and the strength of justice.
The filmmakers made a conscious attempt to highlight the culture of the city.
Movie Rating (IMDb): 7.2/10
Filming Locations: Buffalo City Hall, Statler City, Central Terminal.
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