Films About Life in New York
New York City, often referred to as “The Big Apple,” is a vibrant tapestry of diverse cultures, dreams, and lifestyles. Films set against the backdrop of this bustling metropolis capture the essence of urban life, exploring themes of ambition, love, struggle, and the pursuit of happiness. From romantic comedies to gritty dramas, these films highlight the unique experiences of those who inhabit this iconic city, making it a beloved setting for filmmakers and audiences alike.
“Breakfast at Tiffany's”, 1961
Director: Blake Edwards
This classic romantic comedy follows the eccentric Holly Golightly, played by Audrey Hepburn, as she navigates love and loneliness in Manhattan's glamorous Upper East Side. The film beautifully captures the charm and allure of New York's social scene.
Starring: Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Patricia Neal, Buddy Ebsen, Martin Balsam, José Luis de Vilallonga, John McGiver, Dorothy Whitney, Stanley Adams, Elvia Allman, Alan Reed, Beverly Powers, Claude Stroud, Orangey, Mickey Rooney, Don Anderson, Al Avalon, Janet Banzet, Henry Barnard, Henry Beckman, Arthur Berkeley, Nicky Blair, Mel Blanc, Willie Bloom, Bill Bradley, Thayer Burton, Florine Carlan, Sue Casey, Roydon Clark, Marian Collier, Christine Corbin, Dick Crockett, Tom Curtis, Tommy Farrell, James Field, George Fields, Joseph Glick, Joe Gray, Joseph J. Greene, Sam Harris, Pete Kellett, Barbara Kelley, Kip King, Frank Kreig, Gil Lamb, Hanna Landy, James Lanphier, Mary LeBow, Paul Lees, Leatrice Leigh;
Production year: 1961;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
Age: 12+;
Duration: 115 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “Breakfast at Tiffany's” on the website imdb.com
“Her”, 2013
Director: Spike Jonze
Set in a near-future version of Los Angeles, this film by Spike Jonze portrays a man who develops a relationship with an advanced operating system. While not set in New York, it reflects the isolation and longing often felt in urban life, resonating with the New York experience.
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Chris Pratt, Olivia Wilde, Matt Letscher, Kristen Wiig, Portia Doubleday, Laura Kai Chen, Brian Cox, Lynn A. Freedman, Lisa Renee Pitts, Gabe Gomez, Artt Butler, May Lindstrom, Bill Hader, Brian Johnson, David Azar, Guy Lewis, Melanie Seacat, Pramode Kumar, Evelyn Edwards, Steve Zissis, Dane White, Nicole Grother, James Ozasky, Samantha Sarakanti, Luka Jones, Gracie Prewitt, Claudia Choi, Stéphanie Sokolinski, Wendy Leon, Lil Buck, Robert Benard, Lisa Cohen, Grant Samson, Marc Abbink, Leonard Baligaya, Joan M. Blair, Freedom Bridgewater, Kathleen Carr, Seth Carr, Hallie Marie Chaney, Glenda Chism, Lee Christian, Andy Dale, Sandra Daubert, Nico David;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: melodrama, science fiction, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 126 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
“In the Heights”, 2021
Director: Jon M. Chu
Based on Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical, this vibrant film celebrates the Latino community in Washington Heights. It explores themes of heritage, dreams, and the close-knit bonds of family and friends in a neighborhood full of life and struggles.
Starring: Anthony Ramos, Melissa Barrera, Leslie Grace, Corey Hawkins, Olga Merediz, Jimmy Smits, Gregory Diaz IV, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Stephanie Beatriz, Dascha Polanco, Noah Catala, Mateo Gómez, Marc Anthony, Patrick Page, Olivia Perez, Analia Gomez, Dean Scott Vazquez, Mason Vazquez, Delia Ramos, James Leyva, Chris Jackson, Susan Pourfar, María Hinojosa, Ryan Woodle, Doreen Montalvo, Ilia Jessica Castro, Yesy Garcia, Jonathan Arana, Jennifer Hernandez, Amp Ngernrungruangroj, Bairam Rizai, Lavinia Jones Wright, Alexandra Campos, Rhapsody James, Ariana S. Gomez, Ariana Greenblatt, Hugh M Jones III, Melissa Strain, Fana Minea Tesfagiorgis, Daniel Alatorre, Ethan Barker, Shawn Black, Lucas Cardona, Emiliano Cuesta, Andre Da Silva, Gina DePool, Courtney Gonzalez, Anthony Gusevich, Juliet Hartley;
Production year: 2021;
Genre: musical, melodrama, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 143 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “In the Heights” on the website imdb.com
“The Great Gatsby”, 2013
Director: Baz Luhrmann
Adapted from F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, this visually stunning film captures the opulence and moral decay of the Roaring Twenties in New York City. The story follows Jay Gatsby's pursuit of love and the American Dream amidst the excesses of the era.
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, Isla Fisher, Jason Clarke, Elizabeth Debicki, Callan McAuliffe, Jack Thompson, Amitabh Bachchan, Lisa Adam, Frank Aldridge, Steve Bisley, Richard Carter, Adelaide Clemens, Vince Colosimo, Max Cullen, Mal Day, Emmanuel Ekwensi, Eden Falk, Emily Foreman, Tiger Leacey Wyvill, Charlize Skinner, Garrett William Fountain, David Furlong, Daniel Gill, Iota, Price Johnson, Stephen James King, Goran D'Kluet, Kim Knuckey, Barrie Laws, Mark Lemon, John Maumau, Brendan Maclean, Ben McIvor, Hamish Michael, Brian Rooney, Kevin McGlothan, Nick Meenahan, Olga Miller, Heather Mitchell, Gus Murray, Kate Mulvany, Barry Otto, John O'Connell, Corey Blake Owers, Tasman Palazzi, Brenton Prince, Bryan Probets;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 143 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “The Great Gatsby” on the website imdb.com
“Lost in Translation”, 2003
Director: Sofia Coppola
Though primarily set in Tokyo, this film features two American characters who reflect on their lives and connections in a globalized world. Its themes of alienation and existential searching resonate with the New York experience.
Starring: Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Giovanni Ribisi, Anna Faris, Akiko Takeshita, Kazuyoshi Minamimagoe, Kazuko Shibata, Take, Ryuichiro Baba, Akira Yamaguchi, Catherine Lambert, François du Bois, Tim Leffman, Gregory Pekar, Richard Allen, Diamond Yukai, Jun Maki, Nao Asuka, Tetsuro Naka, Kanako Nakazato, Fumihiro Hayashi, Hiroko Kawasaki, Daikon, Asuka Shimuzu, Ikuko Takahashi, Koichi Tanaka, Hugo Codaro, Akiko Monou, Akimitsu Naruyama, Hiroshi Kawashima, Hiromi Toshikawa, Nobuhiko Kitamura, Nao Kitman, Akira, Kunichi Nomura, Yasuhiko Hattori, Shigekazu Aida, Kazuo Yamada, Akira Motomura, Osamu Shigematu, Takashi Fujii, Kei Takyo, Ryo Kondo, Yumi Ikeda, Yumika Saki, Yuji Okabe, Dietrich Bollmann, Georg O.P. Eschert, Mark Willms, Lisle Wilkerson;
Production year: 2003;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 102 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “Lost in Translation” on the website imdb.com
“Manhattan”, 1979
Director: Woody Allen
In this Woody Allen classic, the filmmaker explores love and relationships in the city he adores. Filmed in black and white, it offers a romanticized vision of New York, capturing both its beauty and complexities.
Starring: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Michael Murphy, Mariel Hemingway, Meryl Streep, Anne Byrne Hoffman, Karen Ludwig, Michael O'Donoghue, Victor Truro, Tisa Farrow, Helen Hanft, Bella Abzug, Gary Weis, Kenny Vance, Charles Levin, Karen Allen, David Rasche, Damion Scheller, Wallace Shawn, Mark Linn-Baker, Frances Conroy, Bill Anthony, John Doumanian, Raymond Serra, Tobin Bell, Willow Hale, Llewellyn Lafford, Dave Moskin, Marianne Muellerleile, Kelbe Nugent, Larry Sherman;
Production year: 1979;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 96 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “Manhattan” on the website imdb.com
“Rent”, 2005
Director: Chris Columbus
Based on the hit Broadway musical, “Rent” tells the story of a group of young artists struggling with love, loss, and the impact of the AIDS crisis in the East Village. It’s a moving portrayal of community and resilience in the face of adversity.
Starring: Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, Rosario Dawson, Jesse L. Martin, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Idina Menzel, Tracie Thoms, Taye Diggs, Julia Roth, Porscha Radcliffe, Stephen Payne, Darryl Chan, Ken Clark, R.C. Ormond, David Fine, Mackenzie Firgens, Eleanor Columbus, Matthew McCollum, Jason Foster, Brendan Columbus, Austin Shea, Daniel London, Aaron Lohr, Wayne Wilcox, Bianca Sams, Heather Barberie, Liisa Cohen, Sharon Ferrol-Young, Liz Ramos, Kristin Medwick, Katie Weber, Angela McConnell, Jamielyn Duggan, Feleciana Stevenson, Kim Williams, Damia Foti, Laura Padierne, Kevin Hagan, Brian Delate, Aisha De Haas, Michael Rosales, Niyuk Hairell, Larissa Kiernan, Marco De La Cruz, Ericka Harden, Truc Luong, Megan Biolchini, Nick Scoggin, John Champion, Titus West;
Production year: 2005;
Genre: musical, drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 135 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “Rent” on the website imdb.com
“Frances Ha”, 2012
Director: Noah Baumbach
This indie gem follows a young woman navigating her artistic ambitions and friendships in New York City. Its quirky humor and poignant moments offer a relatable glimpse into the life of a struggling artist.
Starring: Greta Gerwig, Mickey Sumner, Michael Esper, Adam Driver, Michael Zegen, Charlotte d'Amboise, Grace Gummer, Daiva Deupree, Isabelle McNally, Vanessa Ray, Justine Lupe, Lindsay Burdge, Patrick Heusinger, Marina Squerciati, Christine Gerwig, Gordon Gerwig, David Salem, Isaac Salem, Anna Salem, Laurie Aloisio-Salem, Daniel Roose, Courtney Coffin-Jensen, Kristine Jensen, Doug Craft, Timothy Mickiewicz, Tre Borden, Connor Mickiewicz, Lauren Parker, Britta Phillips, Juliet Rylance, Josh Hamilton, Dean Wareham, Maya Kazan, Serena Longley, Hannah Dunne, Barbara Ross English, Peter Scanavino, Ryann Shane, Danish Hyder, Teddy Cañez, Gibson Frazier, Cindy Katz, Cohlie Brocato, Finnerty Steeves, Michelle Hurst, Molly Lieber, Eleanor Smith, Alex Moore, Marlieke Burghouts, Jos Daamen;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 86 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Frances Ha” on the website imdb.com
“The Apartment”, 1960
Director: Billy Wilder
A classic romantic comedy-drama about a man who lends his apartment to executives for their extramarital affairs, only to fall for one of the women involved. The film captures the loneliness and moral dilemmas often faced in city life.
Starring: Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, Fred MacMurray, Ray Walston, Jack Kruschen, David Lewis, Hope Holiday, Joan Shawlee, Naomi Stevens, Johnny Seven, Joyce Jameson, Willard Waterman, David White, Edie Adams, Dorothy Abbott, Bill Baldwin, Paul Bradley, Benny Burt, Steve Carruthers, Lynn Cartwright, Dick Cherney, Fortune Cookie, Mason Curry, Franklyn Farnum, Richard George, Herschel Graham, Lars Hensen, Eugene Jackson, Frances Weintraub Lax, David Macklin, William Meader, Ralph Moratz, Monty O'Grady, Joe Palma, Paul Power, Tony Regan, Clark Ross, Edith Simmons, Hal Smith, Norman Stevans, Sid Troy;
Production year: 1960;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
Age: 16+;
Duration: 125 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,3;
More information about the film “The Apartment” on the website imdb.com
These films, among many others, encapsulate the essence of life in New York, showcasing its myriad stories and the dreams that fuel its inhabitants.
The selection of films about life in New York offers a captivating and diverse portrayal of the city's vibrant and multifaceted character. From the hustle and bustle of Wall Street to the colorful neighborhoods of Brooklyn, these films beautifully capture the energy, challenges, and dreams of New Yorkers. The city itself becomes a character in these stories, shaping the lives of the protagonists and serving as a backdrop for their triumphs and tribulations. Whether through iconic landmarks or intimate neighborhood scenes, these films provide a rich tapestry of New York life, showcasing the resilience, ambition, and humanity of its inhabitants. Each film adds a unique brushstroke to the cinematic portrait of this extraordinary city, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in the heartbeat of New York.
