New York Movies: Top 10

Published on November 1, 2009 by Admin/Neil · 1 Comment

New York City is the most populous city and is central in the largest metropolitan area in the US. There are nearly 19 million residents that call the New York metro home. This major city has also served as the setting for some of the greatest films ever made. This Top 10 list of New York Movies highlights the rich history of movie making in the “Big Apple”, with focus on more recent films (2000 and later).

In order to be ranked among the best New York movies, the film had to not only be filmed in the city, but the movie had to be centered either on the city, or the city had to serve as a major setting or factor in the film. The number of movies in New York is vast, so there is special emphasis given to movies that incorporate the city more prominently in the plot or story, and films made in New York since 2000 are highlighted. Along with this basic set of qualifications, the best New York films are also ones that are entertaining, memorable, iconic or classic, and have long-lasting appeal.

Top 10 New York Movies of All Time (in random order)

10. Gangs of New York (2002) – This great Leonardo DiCaprio film turns back the clock on gang warfare in the big apple by portraying the inter-ethnic conflicts that emerged during the early stages of immigration in New York.

9. King Kong (2005) – Although much of this remake of the most class of King Kong movies is set on fictional Skull Island, key scenes in the opening of the film, and the climactic conclusion atop the Empire State Building give this credibility as one of the top New York movies.

8. 16 Blocks (2006) – This Bruce Willis, Mos Def action film takes place over a 16 block section of downtown New York. A drunk, washed up cop (Willis) is intentionally placed in a charge of a small time crook (Def) about to be taken out on the down low by dirty cops.

7. World Trade Center (2006) - This Oliver Stone film tells the true story of two New York Port Authority police officers and their experiences immediately after the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers. The film stars Nicolas Cage, Michael Peña, Maria Bello, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Michael Shannon.

6. American Gangster (2007) – This critically acclaimed film is about Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), a real life Harlem gangster from the 1960s who smuggled lots of heroin into the city. Russell Crowe stars as the detective who spends years trying to take down Lucas’ empire.

5. Cloverfield (2008) – Among the more recent New York movies, this unique horror flick is also among the best monster movies. It is the story about five New Yorkers who find themselves fleeing the city in a panic as monsters take over.

4. Pride and Glory (2008) – Edward Norton and Colin Farrell lead a star-studded cast in this story about a family at odds when one of the brothers (Colin) gets into trouble in an escalating situation involving dirty New York cops.

3. The Devil Wears Prada (2006) – Also one of the best fashion movies, this is one of the two fashion-centered New York movies highlighted in this list of movies in New York. Meryl Streep stars as a brash, dictatorial fashion icon in New York. Emily Blunt, Anne Hathaway, and Stanley Tucci co-star.

2. Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009) – Also one of the best book movies, this is the second fashion film in the list of movies in New York. Isla Fisher stars as an uncertain young woman struggling to find herself, and to manage her money, until she helps develop a column for at a newspaper.

1. The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009) – Another of the best TV movies on the New York movies list. This recent film stars Denzel Washington and John Travolta. A recreation of a 1974 film adaption, the remake tells the story of a New York subway train taken hostage by four armed men. Washington serves as the troubled MTA dispatcher caught in the situation.

There are certainly other great New York movies not included in this list and likely more good ones to come. However, this top 10 list of best New York films and additional ones for your consideration gives a good scope of the impact the great city has had on the film industry.

Want to tell us your favorite film not on our list of top movies in New York and why? Just add a comment and share your thoughts!

This feature article about the Best New York movies was written by Neil of Movie Room Reviews

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