7 Iconic Films That Will Make You Want to Move to New York

Do you also hop on the “movies” train to take you all around the globe? I do that a lot, particularly because I can be lazy. Judge me all you want, but my trips are planned by the greatest filmmakers of all time. So, yeah! I think I’m winning here.

The only downside? I don’t have photos for Instagram. Well, that doesn’t bother me, unless I’m on a “trip” to New York City.

The Big Apple isn’t just another city—it’s a whole other vibe. Lights, constant chatter, street musicians, the smell of oven-fresh pizzas, and an abundance of life—I’d move there if I could afford the NYC lifestyle!

Since I can’t, these are my top watches any time I want to take a “bite” of the Big Apple!

7 Movies That Will Make You Want to Move to New York City

1. Elf (2003)

Jon Favreau’s Elf is an endearing Christmas movie. But beyond that, it is one of those narratives that explores New York with childlike innocence. The movie follows Buddy, a human raised by elves at the North Pole, who travels to New York City to track down his birth parents.

The Big Apple’s backdrop provides a dynamic setting for Buddy’s emotional growth, instantly creating a fish-out-of-water dynamic.

The city ultimately becomes a significant character in its own right, constantly realigning us to the overarching theme of rediscovering the infectious magic of innocence through the festivities of Christmas.

The narrative takes us around New York, making pit stops at iconic locations like the Empire State Building, where Buddy’s biological father works, Central Park, and Rockefeller Center. It also introduces us to the people in New York, exploring their day-to-day lives with relentless positivity and honesty as Buddy constantly tries to uplift those around him.

2. Someone Great (2019)

Leaving your home is one of the hardest things you’ll ever have to do. When I left home for another city, much like Jenny in Jennifer Kaytin Robinson’s Someone Great, I had a day out with my friends, going around my city one last time, trying to relive everything that made me who I am.

I guess we all do, and that’s why Someone Great hits harder than most recent stories of friendship. The narrative uses New York City, both literally and symbolically, as the backdrop for a pivotal day of emotional turmoil and friendship.

The narrative unfolds over a single day as three friends wander Manhattan and Brooklyn, visiting iconic landmarks and haunts that highlight the unique texture and vibrant personality of New York.

3. Home Alone 2: Lost In New York (1992)

I’ve watched this movie more times than I can count. Little me was so jealous of Kevin! I remember having a proper meltdown over that dove ornament, the one that Mr. Duncan gave to Kevin at the toy store, when my parents told me they couldn’t find something like that anywhere.

The Plaza Hotel, the busy streets, the giant Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, and especially the pigeons had my heart! If I ever visit New York, I’m definitely going to visit FAO Schwarz (a.k.a the fictional Duncan’s Toy Chest) to treat my inner child!

4. When Harry Met Sally (1989)

The story of two best friends who fall in love, Nora Ephron’s When Harry Met Sally, revives our love for the city as we explore New York with the two leading characters.

From the Met to Katz's, every frame upholds New York City's heritage and eccentricities as the two friends navigate their love lives, finally ending up together.

5. The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

This fashion flick exposes us to the glitz and glamor of the city. We see aesthetic cafes, luxurious office spaces, bustling Times Square, and most importantly, the red-carpet events.

David Frankel’s The Devil Wears Prada reminds us why New York is colloquially referred to as the Big Apple. As Andy learns new ways of life, we, too, are educated about the high-end lifestyle of New York City's elite.

6. Rear Window (1954)

Okay, not exactly around New York City, per se, but Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window takes you into a New Yorker’s mindset. Even though you’re limited to a single location, you get a glimpse of people and their lifestyles in NYC through a window.

Rear Window exposes you to the different kinds of people you could come across in New York. The story unfolds mainly in L.B. Jeffries' fictional Manhattan apartment, where he discovers a potential murder while looking out his window through binoculars, bored during his recovery from a broken leg.

So, while we don't see much of New York in this one, it’s a psychological journey into the society the city breeds.

7. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Although most of the story unfolds in Long Island, Jordan Belfort’s life in the city of New York feels like a dream. If I had to describe New York through his eyes, “spectacular” is probably an understatement.

The narrative takes us to the city's commercial heart, Wall Street, offering a peek into how the wealthy mint money. Sleazy clubs, luxurious yachts, crazy parties, and Belfort’s mansion—that’s the life I’m grinding for (without the jail time, of course)

NYC locations such as the Shalimar Hotel, the Financial District, and the Sixes Restaurant have been on my bucket list ever since I watched The Wolf of Wall Street.

Which movies on the list have you watched?