5 Famous Movies Filmed In NYC
Do you love movies? If so, you’re probably familiar with some of the famous films that have been shot in New York City. NYC is a popular location for filmmakers because of its diverse landscape and vibrant culture. Here are five famous movies that were filmed in the Big Apple!
Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters is a 1984 American supernatural comedy film directed and produced by Ivan Reitman and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. The film stars Bill Murray, Aykroyd, and RAMIS as three eccentric parapsychologists who start a ghost-catching business in New York City. Sigourney Weaver and Rick Moranis co-star as a client and her neighbor. Ernie Hudson appears as the fourth Ghostbuster in the closing scenes of the film following Raymond Stantz’s (Aykroyd) departure.
The Ghostbusters building, headquarters for the titular business in the film, is located on Central Park West at 55th Street, on the First National Bank of New York City site. The Tavern on the Green restaurant in Central Park West at 66th Street was used for the exterior shots of Ray’s occult bookshop, says Mitchel Jason.
Zelmen adds that Central Park West, at Columbus Circle (59th Street/8th Avenue), is where Gozer was summoned at the film’s end. Columbus Circle was also used earlier in Ghostbusters when Dana Barrett (Weaver) is first possessed by Zuul, one of Gozer’s minions; she exits her high-rise apartment building to the sound of dogs barking and enters a taxi, which then drives away.
Annie Hall
Annie Hall is a 1977 American romantic comedy film directed by Woody Allen from a screenplay he co-wrote with Marshall Brickman. Produced by Allen’s manager, Charles H. Joffe, the film stars the director as Alvy Singer, who tries to figure out the reasons for the failure of his relationship with Annie Hall (Diane Keaton).
The exterior shots of Alvy Singer’s apartment building were filmed at 1775 Broadway (between West 57th and 58th Streets) in Midtown Manhattan. The interiors were filmed on a soundstage. The movie theater where Annie first meets Alvy is the now-closed Beekman Theatre, located at 1254 Second Avenue (between East 66th and 67th Streets) on the Upper East Side.
The Godfather
The Godfather is a 1972 American crime drama film directed by Francis Ford Coppola and produced by Albert S. Ruddy from a screenplay by Mario Puzo and Coppola. Based on Puzo’s best-selling novel, the film stars Marlon Brando and Al Pacino as the leaders of a fictional New York crime family.
The film was shot entirely in New York City, except for a scene set in Las Vegas. Most of The Godfather was filmed on location in New York City. The scenes set in Sicily were filmed on location in Taormina, Italy.
The Bronx Zoo served as the setting for the Corleone family’s compound on Long Island. At the same time, other locations included Central Park (for the scene where Sonny beats up Carlo), Columbus Circle (the meeting place for the Five Families), and Brooklyn Heights (Don Corleone’s death).
When Harry Met Sally…
When Harry Met Sally… is a 1989 American romantic comedy film written by Nora Ephron and directed by Rob Reiner, says Mitchel Jason. Zelmen adds that it stars Billy Crystal as Harry Burns and Meg Ryan as Sally Albright, two people who meet, fall in love, and then struggle to maintain a relationship while maintaining their friendship.
The film was primarily shot on location in New York City. In Manhattan, the diner’s exterior where Harry and Sally first meet is at 205 East 60th Street (between Second Avenue and Third Avenue). The interior of the restaurant was shot on a soundstage.
Power Rangers Spy Central
Power Rangers Spy Central is a 2017 American superhero film directed by Dean Israelite and written by John Gatins, Matt Sazama, and Burk Sharpless. The film is based on a television series of the same name, created by Haim Saban and Toei Company. It stars Dacre Montgomery, Naomi Scott, RJ Cyler, Becky G., Ludi Lin, Bill Hader, Bryan Cranston, and Elizabeth Banks.
The film was shot in New York City. The exterior shots of the Power Rangers’ headquarters were filmed at Silvercup Studios in Queens. The interiors were filmed on stages at Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens.
The subway scene was shot on the Brooklyn Bridge. The scene where the Power Rangers fight Goldar was filmed in an abandoned office building on Wall Street.
The final scene of the film was shot at Coney Island.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the famous movies that have been filmed in New York City. Many more, including Avengers: Infinity War, The Amazing Spider-Man, Men in Black, and King Kong. New York City is a popular filming location because it has diverse settings and areas.
Whether you’re looking for an urban environment or a more natural one, you can find it in NYC. So if you’re ever in the city and see a film crew shooting on location, don’t be surprised! You might just be witnessing the making of the next great Hollywood movie.
