New York is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and so many films have taken advantage of exactly that. And even when studios can't afford to shoot in the expensive city, they use other NY-looking cities to double as the Big Apple, just as, according to Secret Manchester, The Crown did when they completely transformed Manchester's Northern Quarter.
Whether these films set in New York are actually shot in the city or not, Redditors are amazed by their depictions of NY (whether it's the glistening baubles on the Rockefeller Christmas tree or the thick NY accents). Between several crime movies, a couple of festive films, and a memorable romance movie, regardless of how they were received, these releases massively helped New York's tourist industry.
Uncut Gems (2019)
Uncut Gems will be considered a classic in 20 years, but anybody who believes it accurately captures the spirit of New York will no doubt want to avoid the city at all costs. The 2019 crime thriller is mostly set in the Diamond District, and every character is a seedy jeweler with ties to illegal bookies and other criminals.
New York resident Currentroster claims that "we don’t have Kevin Garnett walking around with a rock or Adam Sandler being thrown in our local water fountain but everything else... yeah." The movie sees Howard Ratner (Sandler) being thrown in the fountain in the district when he can pay his debts, but getting a little wet is far from the worst that happens to him.
Home Alone 2: Lost In New York (1992)
Many think Home Alone 2 is better than the original movie, and part of the reason why it is a colorful New York setting. The 1992 movie isn't just set in New York, but it's set in New York over the holiday season, and few other Christmas movies have captured the city like that.
Platinumkanikus hilariously states that they've "never been there, but I assume it’s exactly like Home Alone 2." It isn't clear whether the Redditor is talking about the beautiful Rockefeller Center Christmas tree or the Central Park ice rink, but either way, the movie's depiction of NY is certainly unique.
Inside Man (2006)
Final_Masterpiece479 reckons the Spike Lee-directed heist movie Inside Man "best captures New York." If there's any director who has tried the most to capture New York's beauty, it's Lee, as almost all of his movies are set in the picturesque city.
And if there's anything Inside Man is known for outside of its unique take on the heist subgenre, it's the New York accents and the way the characters use typical NY vernacular and slang.
Die Hard With A Vengeance (1995)
Just like Home Alone 2, Die Hard with a Vengeance is another sequel that took the franchise to New York. The movie also takes advantage of the city by flipping the series' trademark on its head. The first two movies saw John McClane inside a building and tasked with taking down terrorists with limited resources, but the threequel sees McClane traveling through the Big Apple, solving clues almost like he's the Batman to Simon Gruber's Riddler.
Generalosabenkenobi observes that "they may skirt around how realistically you could get from one location to another, but the locations are all actual locations." As John and Zeus speed around NY, the roads are suspiciously traffic-free.
Elf (2003)
Home Alone 2: Lost In New York isn't the only New York-based Christmas movie, as Frosty_Parsnip_5108 cites Elf as another movie that "best captures" the Big Apple. Elf hits most of the same beats when it comes to New York, but there are a few unique scenes and locations that sets it apart.
First off, Buddy's father works in the Empire State building, and he thinks the buttons in the elevator resemble a Christmas tree when they light up. He also works at a huge Gimbels department store, and the movie makes fun of the hyperbole found around the city, such as cafes that advertise "the world's best coffee." Unfortunately, for as big of a success as it was, fans are still waiting for a sequel.
King Of New York (1990)
1990 was a huge year for classic gangster movies, as it saw the release of both The Godfather Part III and Goodfellas. But because those films became huge events, one cult classic lives in their shadows, King of New York. ShiZnit3 reminds people, "don't forget King of New York and New Jack City."
When it comes to portrayals of the city, the two mentioned by the Redditor are the grittiest and most exhausting. However, they're the most engrossing too and they make for a great double feature.
A Rainy Day In New York (2019)
Mace-window777 thinks A Rainy Day In New York City has one of the best depictions of NY, and how could it not with "New York" literally in the movie's title? However, the Redditor is also very critical of the film, as he recalls the film as "the recent movie that no one likes called A Rainy Day in New York City starring Chalamat."
While the film uses the beauty and appeal of NY in every one of its shots, the movie wasn't all that received. Timothee Chalamet has seemingly become one of the fan's favorite Hollywood actors, but for as good of an actor as he is, A Rainy Day In New York City isn't his best work.
Escape From New York (1981)
Using the Statue of Liberty in disaster movies has become a common trend, whether it's in Ghostbusters 2, Cloverfield, or the iconic The Planet of the Apes. But Escape From New York was the very first to see Lady Liberty's head decapitated and roll through the streets of the Big Apple.
However, while Gryptype_Thynne123 thinks the movie is a great depiction of NY, they explain that the film was "shot mostly in St Louis, oddly enough." There's even a sequel, Escape From L.A., which sees the unlucky Snake in the same situation in the city of angels, and it's just as entertaining, but L.A. isn't quite as much of a character itself as New York is in the 1981 movie.
Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
Though they think their place of residence devalues their opinion, this Redditor thinks The Royal Tenenbaums is the best depiction of New York. The Redditor explains, "take this with a grain of salt because I'm a west coaster, but: Royal Tenenbaums." The movie established celebrated director Wes Anderson's signature cartoonish and symmetrical style, but some think he's fallen too far into the style and that the director is his own worst enemy.
However, while Anderson has become known for cutting between styles, whether that's by using miniatures that intentionally look miniature or stop-motion animation, the 2001 movie never reminds people that they're watching a film. But there are still countless slow-motion shots.
Quick Change (1990)
Though many people might not have heard of the 1990 crime caper, Kubrickian80 defends it and thinks it features a great depiction of New York. Quick Change holds just a 6.8 on IMDb, but the Redditor defends it by calling it "an underrated new York movie for sure."
The movie is based in the Big Apple as it follows three criminals who carry out an elaborate heist, but it's less about the heist itself and more about the hilariously botched getaway. Quick Change was the first and only movie directed by film star Bill Murray, and it isn't a surprise that he never returned to the director's chair. A box office bomb that failed to make back its budget is enough to put anyone off.