Our team compiled the best movies based in New York and here is what they came up with
New York City is home to some of the most iconic movies of all time. From romantic comedies to dark dramas, movies set in New York have captivated audiences for decades. Whether the story takes place in the city itself or the suburbs of Long Island or upstate New York, these films have a special connection to the region.
Here are the 30 best movies based in New York to check out on the streaming service.
1. Manhattan (1979)
Manhattan (1979) is another classic New York movie. This Woody Allen romantic comedy follows a married man who falls in love with his best friend’s mistress. The movie features beautiful shots of the Manhattan skyline, and Allen was praised for his performance. MPAA Rating: PG; Box Office (Adjusted): $83 million; Year of Release: 1979; Starring: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Michael Murphy, Mariel Hemingway.
2. Annie Hall (1977)
Annie Hall (1977) is one of the most iconic New York films of all time. This was a romantic comedy about a neurotic comedian (Woody Allen) and his relationship with an aspiring singer (Diane Keaton). Not only did it win four Academy Awards, it also helped usher in a new wave of independent cinema. MPAA Rating: PG; Box Office (Adjusted): $80 million; Year of Release: 1977; Starring: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Tony Roberts.
3. Taxi Driver (1976)
Taxi Driver (1976) is a dark classic. Directed by Martin Scorsese, this film follows a mentally unstable taxi driver (Robert De Niro) who takes it upon himself to clean up the mean streets of New York City. It was praised for its gritty realism and earned four Oscar nominations. MPAA Rating: R; Box Office (Adjusted): $51 million; Year of Release: 1976; Starring: Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, Cybill Shepherd.
4. The Godfather (1972)
The Godfather (1972) is a crime drama starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino. This movie follows the rise and fall of a powerful crime family in New York City. It was praised for its complex characters and earned three Academy Awards. MPAA Rating: R; Box Office (Adjusted): $351 million; Year of Release: 1972; Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall.
5. The French Connection (1971)
The French Connection (1971) is an Oscar-winning crime thriller. Directed by William Friedkin, this movie follows two New York City detectives (Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider) who attempt to stop a French heroin smuggling operation. It was praised for its gritty realism and earned five Academy Awards. MPAA Rating: R; Box Office (Adjusted): $97 million; Year of Release: 1971; Starring: Gene Hackman, Roy Scheider.
6. Do the Right Thing (1989)
Do the Right Thing (1989) is a classic Spike Lee joint. This film follows a day in the life of a Brooklyn neighborhood, and it was praised for its thoughtful take on race relations. It earned two Oscar nominations and was a critical and commercial success. MPAA Rating: R; Box Office (Adjusted): $46 million; Year of Release: 1989; Starring: Spike Lee, Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis.
7. The Warriors (1979)
The Warriors (1979) is a cult classic. Directed by Walter Hill, this movie follows a street gang who must battle their way back to their turf in New York City. It was praised for its unique style and earned two Golden Globe nominations. MPAA Rating: R; Box Office (Adjusted): $37 million; Year of Release: 1979; Starring: Michael Beck, James Remar, Dorsey Wright.
8. Ghostbusters (1984)
Ghostbusters (1984) is a classic comedy about a group of paranormal investigators. Directed by Ivan Reitman, this movie follows a band of ghost hunters who must save New York City from an ancient evil. It was a huge commercial success and earned two Oscar nominations. MPAA Rating: PG; Box Office (Adjusted): $334 million; Year of Release: 1984; Starring: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver.
9. When Harry Met Sally (1989)
When Harry Met Sally (1989) is a romantic comedy classic. This film follows two friends (Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan) who struggle to make their relationship work. It was praised for its witty dialogue and earned an Oscar nomination. MPAA Rating: R; Box Office (Adjusted): $90 million; Year of Release: 1989; Starring: Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher.
10. Serpico (1973)
Serpico (1973) is a crime drama starring Al Pacino. This movie follows an honest cop (Pacino) who attempts to expose police corruption in New York City. It was praised for its gritty realism and earned three Oscar nominations. MPAA Rating: R; Box Office (Adjusted): $37 million; Year of Release: 1973; Starring: Al Pacino, John Randolph, Tony Roberts.
11. Raging Bull (1980)
Raging Bull (1980) is a black-and-white classic. Directed by Martin Scorsese, this movie follows a boxer (Robert De Niro) as he rises to fame and struggles with his inner demons. It was praised for its intense performances and earned two Academy Awards. MPAA Rating: R; Box Office (Adjusted): $65 million; Year of Release: 1980; Starring: Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Cathy Moriarty.
12. The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) is a classic heist thriller. Directed by Joseph Sargent, this movie follows a group of criminals who hijack a New York City subway train. It was praised for its thrilling action sequences and earned two Golden Globe nominations. MPAA Rating: R; Box Office (Adjusted): $58 million; Year of Release: 1974; Starring: Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw, Martin Balsam.
13. The Apartment (1960)
The Apartment (1960) is a romantic comedy classic. Directed by Billy Wilder, this movie follows an ambitious office worker (Jack Lemmon) who allows his superiors to use his apartment for their extramarital affairs. It was a critical and commercial success and earned five Academy Awards. MPAA Rating: NR; Box Office (Adjusted): $72 million; Year of Release: 1960; Starring: Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, Fred MacMurray.
14. Saturday Night Fever (1977)
Saturday Night Fever (1977) is a classic musical drama. This movie follows a young man (John Travolta) who dreams of escaping his mundane life through the world of disco. It was a huge commercial success and earned an Oscar nomination. MPAA Rating: R; Box Office (Adjusted): $258 million; Year of Release: 1977; Starring: John Travolta, Karen Lynn Gorney, Barry Miller.
15. Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Dog Day Afternoon (1975) is a crime drama starring Al Pacino. This movie follows a desperate bank robber (Pacino) who attempts to rob a bank in Brooklyn. It was praised for its intense performances and earned three Academy Awards. MPAA Rating: R; Box Office (Adjusted): $97 million; Year of Release: 1975; Starring: Al Pacino, John Cazale, Charles Durning.
16. Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993)
Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993) is a classic Woody Allen comedy. This film follows a couple who attempt to solve a mysterious death in their apartment building. It was praised for its witty dialogue and earned an Oscar nomination. MPAA Rating: PG; Box Office (Adjusted): $41 million; Year of Release: 1993; Starring: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Anjelica Huston.
17. Moonstruck (1987)
Moonstruck (1987) is a romantic comedy starring Cher. This movie follows a woman (Cher) who falls in love with her fiance’s brother. It was praised for its charming performances and earned three Academy Awards. MPAA Rating: PG; Box Office (Adjusted): $71 million; Year of Release: 1987; Starring: Cher, Nicolas Cage, Olympia Dukakis.
18. Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) is a drama starring Dustin Hoffman. This movie follows a man (Hoffman) who must learn to care for his son after his wife leaves him. It was praised for its emotional performances and earned five Academy Awards. MPAA Rating: PG; Box Office (Adjusted): $148 million; Year of Release: 1979; Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Jane Alexander.
19. The King of Comedy (1982)
The King of Comedy (1982) is a black comedy starring Robert De Niro. This movie follows a desperate comedian (De Niro) who goes to extreme lengths to get his big break. It was praised for its dark humor and earned two Oscar nominations. MPAA Rating: PG; Box Office (Adjusted): $38 million; Year of Release: 1982; Starring: Robert De Niro, Jerry Lewis, Sandra Bernhard.
20. A Bronx Tale (1993)
A Bronx Tale (1993) is a coming-of-age drama. Directed by Robert De Niro, this movie follows a young man (Lillo Brancato) who is torn between the temptations of organized crime and the values of his hardworking father. It was praised for its powerful storytelling and earned an Oscar nomination. MPAA Rating: R; Box Office (Adjusted): $36 million; Year of Release: 1993; Starring: Robert De Niro, Chazz Palminteri, Lillo Brancato.
21. West Side Story (1961)
West Side Story (1961) is a classic musical. Directed by Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise, this movie follows two rival gangs in New York City. It was praised for its powerful performances and earned ten Academy Awards. MPAA Rating: NR; Box Office (Adjusted): $178 million; Year of Release: 1961; Starring: Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, George Chakiris.
22. The Birdcage (1996)
The Birdcage (1996) is a classic comedy starring Robin Williams. This movie follows a gay couple who must pretend to be straight when meeting their son’s fiancee’s conservative parents. It was praised for its charming performances and earned an Oscar nomination. MPAA Rating: PG-13; Box Office (Adjusted): $118 million; Year of Release: 1996; Starring: Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman.
23. The Fisher King (1991)
The Fisher King (1991) is a fantasy drama starring Jeff Bridges. This movie follows a man (Bridges) who attempts to save a homeless man (Robin Williams) from his despair. It was praised for its emotional performances and earned an Oscar nomination. MPAA Rating: R; Box Office (Adjusted): $51 million; Year of Release: 1991; Starring: Jeff Bridges, Robin Williams, Mercedes Ruehl.
24. A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) is a classic drama starring Marlon Brando. This movie follows a woman (Vivien Leigh) who moves in with her sister (Kim Hunter) and her brother-in-law (Brando) in New York City. It was praised for its intense performances and earned four Academy Awards. MPAA Rating: PG; Box Office (Adjusted): $56 million; Year of Release: 1951; Starring: Marlon Brando, Vivien Leigh, Kim Hunter.
25. Goodfellas (1990)
Goodfellas (1990) is a crime drama directed by Martin Scorsese. This movie follows a group of mobsters (Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Ray Liotta) who rise to power in New York City. It was praised for its gritty realism and earned six Oscar nominations. MPAA Rating: R; Box Office (Adjusted): $145 million; Year of Release: 1990; Starring: Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Ray Liotta.
26. Broadway Danny Rose (1984)
Broadway Danny Rose (1984) is a comedy starring Woody Allen. This movie follows a talent agent (Allen) who must help a client (Nick Apollo Forte) win back his love. It was praised for its charming performances and earned an Oscar nomination. MPAA Rating: PG; Box Office (Adjusted): $39 million; Year of Release: 1984; Starring: Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, Nick Apollo Forte.
27. The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
The Devil Wears Prada (2006) is a comedy starring Meryl Streep. This movie follows a young woman (Anne Hathaway) who lands a job as an assistant to an intimidating fashion magazine editor (Streep). It was praised for its witty dialogue and earned two Oscar nominations. MPAA Rating: PG-13; Box Office (Adjusted): $154 million; Year of Release: 2006; Starring: Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci.
28. The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)
The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985) is a romantic comedy starring Mia Farrow. This movie follows a woman (Farrow) who falls in love with a character from the movies. It was praised for its imaginative story and earned an Oscar nomination. MPAA Rating: PG; Box Office (Adjusted): $39 million; Year of Release: 1985; Starring: Mia Farrow, Jeff Daniels, Danny Aiello.
29. Cradle Will Rock (1999)
Cradle Will Rock (1999) is a historical drama directed by Tim Robbins. This movie follows the events leading up to the opening night of a controversial musical in New York City. It was praised for its powerful performances and earned an Oscar nomination. MPAA Rating: R; Box Office (Adjusted): $27 million; Year of Release: 1999; Starring: Hank Azaria, John Cusack, Bill Murray.
30. Rent (2005)
Rent (2005) is a musical drama starring Rosario Dawson. This movie follows a group of struggling artists in New York City as they try to make it in the world. It was praised for its powerful performances and earned an Oscar nomination. MPAA Rating: PG-13; Box Office (Adjusted): $82 million; Year of Release: 2005; Starring: Rosario Dawson, Taye Diggs, Jesse L. Martin.
New York City has been the backdrop for some of the most iconic films of all time. From classic mob dramas to romantic comedies, the Big Apple has seen its fair share of memorable movies. From Woody Allen to Al Pacino, many legendary actors have graced the streets of New York and helped bring these stories to life. Whether it’s the thrilling action of Taxi Driver or the poignant romance of When Harry Met Sally, these films have captivated audiences for decades, and will continue to be cherished for years to come.