The 10 Most Beautiful Romantic Films Shot in New York
From West Side Story to Hitch, discover 10 classic romantic films set in New York. Visit the iconic filming locations yourself!
New York has been the setting for some of cinema’s greatest love stories. Here are 10 classic films, listed chronologically, along with their filming locations. Follow in the footsteps of these movies with someone special.
1/ West Side Story
West Side Story is a legend of American cinema. Released in 1961, this musical directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins tells the story of two rival gangs on the Upper West Side. On one side, the Jets, made up of European immigrants, and on the other, the Sharks, a Puerto Rican gang. You can guess what happens next: the former leader of the Jets falls in love with the sister of the Sharks’ leader.
Filming location: To see the famous scene of the rival gangs’ confrontation, head to the playground on 109th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues. Here’s a fun fact: the most iconic scene in West Side Story was actually filmed on the East Side, not the West Side!
The rival gangs of the Upper West Side.
2/ Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Released the same year as West Side Story, Breakfast at Tiffany’s stars the elegant Audrey Hepburn. She plays Holly Golightly, a carefree young New Yorker hoping to marry a wealthy man. Will her prince charming ever arrive? You’ll have to watch to find out.
Filming location: The film’s title tells you the iconic location: the famous jewelry store Tiffany’s. The prestigious house still stands at 727 Fifth Avenue, at the corner of 57th Street, in Midtown. Like Audrey Hepburn, you can even have breakfast there. Holly Golightly’s apartment is located at 169 East 71st Street, near Lexington Avenue, in the Upper East Side.
Audrey Hepburn dreams of breakfast at Tiffany’s.
3/ When Harry Met Sally
Released in 1989, this film stars Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan as Harry and Sally. Two spirited characters who love to argue and challenge each other. After college, they both move to New York but go their separate ways. Over the years, they keep running into each other and begin to wonder if there might be more than friendship between them.
Filming location: Even if you haven’t seen the whole film, you’ve probably seen the famous scene where Sally fakes an orgasm in a restaurant. That restaurant is Katz’s Delicatessen, an iconic New York deli located at 205 East Houston Street in the Lower East Side. Today, a small sign in the dining room marks the table used in that scene. I recommend sitting there!
When Harry has lunch with Sally in New York.
4/ Ghost
Released in 1990, Ghost blends fantasy with romance. Sam (Patrick Swayze) and Molly (Demi Moore) are a young New York couple who seem to have it all. But one evening, everything changes: Sam is murdered on the street. He becomes a ghost, able to watch everything that happens on earth. Sam tries to protect his wife through a con artist psychic, played by the eccentric Whoopi Goldberg.
Filming location: Much of the film was shot in SoHo. Sam and Molly’s apartment is at 102 Prince Street. Sam’s murder takes place on Crosby Street. You’ll also see several scenes in Bushwick, a neighborhood in Brooklyn that was far less safe back then.
The famous pottery scene in Ghost.
5/ Sleepless in Seattle
Despite its title, much of Sleepless in Seattle doesn’t take place in Seattle at all—it’s set in New York. Released in 1993, the film tells the story of a Baltimore journalist who falls for an architect she hears on the radio. Sam is raising his son alone and hasn’t recovered from his wife’s death.
Filming location: The Empire State Building plays an important role in the film—it’s where the two main characters arrange to meet on Valentine’s Day. Here’s an interesting detail: the film crew didn’t actually shoot the exterior scenes on the observation deck. Instead, they built a detailed replica of it in a Seattle studio.
Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan at the top of the Empire State Building. An iconic scene!
6/ You’ve Got Mail
You’ve Got Mail is a romantic comedy released in 1998 that reunites Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. Kathleen and Joe meet online and, without ever meeting in person, gradually develop strong feelings for each other. There’s just one problem: in real life, Kathleen owns an independent bookstore struggling to survive against the chain bookstore run by Joe.
Filming location: The Shop Around the Corner, the bookstore run by Meg Ryan, is located on the Upper West Side at 106 West 69th Street, near Columbus Avenue. Don’t look for books there now—the space is actually home to a dry cleaner.
How will Tom Hanks win over Meg Ryan?
7/ Autumn in New York
Released in 2001, Autumn in New York stars Richard Gere and Winona Ryder. Gere plays Will Keane, a restaurant owner who loves money and women. When the charming Charlotte Fielding comes to celebrate her birthday at his restaurant, he has one thing on his mind. But then Charlotte tells him she has an incurable illness and doesn’t have much time left to live.
Filming location: Will Keane’s restaurant was located in SoHo at 458 Washington Street, near Watts Street. Was, because a new building now stands in its place. Like many films shot in New York, Autumn in New York also features scenes on Bow Bridge, the most romantic bridge in Central Park.
Richard Gere and Winona Ryder in the streets of New York.
8/ Serendipity
Released in 2002, Serendipity tells the story of love at first sight. Jonathan and Sara meet on the street in New York and fall instantly in love. There’s just one catch: they’re both already in relationships. After spending a night wandering the streets and avenues of Manhattan, they decide to part ways without exchanging phone numbers. Now it’s up to fate to bring them back together—or not.
Filming location: The film’s title is actually taken from a real New York bar, Serendipity 3, located at 225 East 60th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues. Do what Jonathan and Sara do: order a Frozen Hot Chocolate!
The frozen desserts at Serendipity 3 are unforgettable!
9/ Maid in Manhattan
Released in 2002, Maid in Manhattan stars singer Jennifer Lopez. She plays Marisa Ventura, a housekeeper working at a luxury New York hotel. One day she falls for a guest who mistakes her for a wealthy New Yorker. Will their romance survive when the truth comes out?
Filming location: The hotel in the film is the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, located at 301 Park Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets. The hotel is now closed—its Chinese owner decided to transform it into luxury residences. But the facade remains, and the building is still as impressive as ever. Just steps away, you can stroll through The Mall, the famous promenade in the heart of Central Park.
Jennifer Lopez in the arms of Ralph Fiennes in Maid in Manhattan.
10/ Hitch
After saving the world in Men in Black in 1997 and 2002, Will Smith returns in 2005 to save relationships. He plays Alex Hitchens, a confident dating coach who helps people who struggle with romance. One day, the coach meets the charming Sara Melas, played by Eva Mendes, and falls under her spell. The young woman won’t resist the expert for long.
Filming location: The film’s most famous scene is a jet-ski ride through New York Harbor. Will Smith invites Eva Mendes on what’s supposed to be a romantic trip to Staten Island, but things go hilariously wrong. By the way, you can actually go jet-skiing in New York Harbor. I’ve tried it, and you can read about my experience in this article on jet-skiing in New York.
