The Best Movies Made About New York Ranked

Not many cities have built a legacy as strong as New York. Since the 1970’s, New York has often been depicted in great movies. Whether it’s troubled taxi drivers, gangsters or star-crossed lovers, the genre has created many strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films made about a city which deserves to be celebrated.

1. Taxi Driver

New York is a beautiful city that my brother always loved dearly. I remember my brother was once a fan of a beautiful city in which taxi drivers experienced disaster. Fond of Times Square, he grew up to care deeply about a great city holding beauty which was rare. He would always love planning a trip to visit a great city that he grew up to worship. My brother often believed that movies were an art that couldn’t capture the beauty of a city that held a precious place in his heart. Few films I’ve ever seen have managed to capture the struggles faced by taxi drivers in New York as powerfully as “Taxi Driver”. Ever since its release in 1976, Martin Scorsese’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about New York. With the most thought-provoking film of his career, Scorsese used innovative cinematic techniques to capture the life of a lonely taxi driver facing despair. Scorsese has always had an aptitude for making movies about lonely characters, and “Taxi Driver” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Scorsese effectively used voice-over narration to capture the life of a lonely taxi driver facing mental health deterioration.  For instance, the scene in which Travis Bickle talks to himself in front of a mirror preparing for an assassination causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary role by Robert De Niro, who portrayed a lonely taxi driver facing sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “Taxi Driver” my favourite film about New York of all-time is its bold appeal. Unlike most movies made during the 1970’s which tend to be outdated, it has aged beautifully. Nearly 50 years following the release of a classic film about lonely taxi drivers in 1970’s New York City whose lives deteriorate, it’s a bold reminder about a genre that has always made movies which audiences appreciate.

2. The Wolf of Wall Street

Wall Street stockbrokers are figures that fascinate my father. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a father that admired stockbrokers causing damage. He admired the way great stockbrokers got away with crimes without any price to pay. As someone treasuring a father fascinated with stockbrokers on Wall Street, I adored “The Wolf of Wall Street”. Released in 2013, Martin Scorsese’s movie depicted the lives of drug-addicted stockbrokers on Wall Street. Scorsese effectively used voice-over narration to capture the life of a Wall Street stockbroker with severe drug addiction. For instance, the scene in which Jordan Belfort faces the high of quaaludes for the first time wrecking his car causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Leonardo DiCaprio, who embodies a stockbroker that abused grim drugs years ago. Ultimately, what makes “The Wolf of Wall Street” a great movie about New York is its message. The film delivers a bold message about dangers of Wall Street crime which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Jordan Belfort’s desire to become a stockbroker on Wall Street, it’s a bold reminder of a genre making great movies audiences consider a treat.

3. The Godfather

Gangsters have always fascinated my grandfather. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a grandfather that loved gangsters causing damage. An offer that he simply couldn’t refuse, he adored gangsters that shaped his worldviews. As someone treasuring a grandfather admiring gangsters, I adored “The Godfather”. Released in 1972, Francis Ford Coppola’s movie depicted the lives of gangsters in New York City. Coppola did an extraordinary job of adapting a classic book about gangsters. Coppola used real-life locations across New York to capture hardships gangsters go through. For instance, the scene in which Michael Corleone commits his first murder in local restaurants becoming a member of the mafia is one of the best moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Marlon Brando, who embodied a gangster created years ago. Ultimately, what makes “The Godfather” a crime classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about fatherhood which would resonate with everyone. A grand adaptation of a commemorated book about gangs given offers they can’t refuse, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a celebrated genre that has made unforgettable movies that have earned rave reviews.

4. The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby is a great book that my teacher would always appreciate. I remember a school teacher that grew up to treasure a book about millionaires facing disaster. He would always speak fondly about a book that captured New York City in the 1920’s. Drawn towards the green light, he adored a book capturing the class barriers that millionaires fight. In 2013, Baz Luhrmann honoured the great book about millionaires in his movie “The Great Gatsby”. Luhrmann has always thrived at making lavish movies about New York’s beauty, and “The Great Gatsby” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Gatsby is first introduced to Nick Carraway at a party causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Leonardo DiCaprio, who created an iconic millionaire character. Ultimately, what makes “The Great Gatsby” a great movie is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the famous book to appreciate it. The film delivers a meaningful message about social class that would resonate with everyone. A beautiful adaptation of a celebrated book about a wealthy millionaire that’s mysterious, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has produced unforgettable movies which audiences consider precious.

5. Birdman

Broadway actors have figures that fascinate my mother today. I remember a mother that was fascinated with lives of actors in theatre. She would often marvel at the way theatre actors created a memorable stage play. As someone treasuring a mother that adored Broadway performers with a plan, I admired “Birdman”. Released in 2015, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s movie captured the lives of Broadway performers in New York City. Inarritu effectively used unreliable narration to capture a mentally disturbed theatre actor with multiple personality disorder.  For instance, the scene in which Riggan faces a breakdown arguing with his alter-ego in his apartment causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Michael Keaton, who embodied an actor facing self-destruction. Ultimately, what makes “Birdman” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about mental health which would resonate with everyone. A breathtaking portrait of frightening mental health struggles experienced by actors seeking success on stage, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that hasn’t lost its abilities to engage by making memorable movies with a message.

6. Past Lives

Childhood crushes are lovers that rarely last forever. At an early age, I fell in love with a girl in school seeking marriage. However, immigration brought our bonds to a closure. As someone treasuring memories of childhood crushes I left behind in past lives, I adored “Past Lives”. Released in 2023, Celine Song’s movie captured childhood lovers in New York. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Past Lives” stand out is its depiction of immigration. Song uses captivating locations in New York to capture a pair of childhood lovers reuniting. Assisted by Greta Lee who is extraordinary in the lead role, Song created a powerful portrait of immigration. A powerful portrait of immigration causing relationships of childhood lovers to crumble, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre making movies audiences consider special.

7. Gangs of New York

Martin Scorsese is a legendary filmmaker that has often made great movies about New York City. Scorsese has often used New York as a backdrop for his gangster movies. In 2002, Scorsese used New York as an engaging backdrop for his movie “Gangs of New York”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Gangs of New York” stand out is its depiction of gangs in American history. Scorsese uses captivating montages capturing hardships that commemorated gangs in a frightening city are experiencing. Assisted by Daniel Day-Lewis who is extraordinary in the lead role, Scorsese captured commemorated gangsters in New York City. As strong as Amsterdam’s desire for vengeance, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies about a larger-than-life city with a presence.

8. The Devil Wears Prada

Bosses are powerful figures shaping employees’ futures. I remember working for a cruel manager that would often treat employees in a poor manner. As someone reminiscing memories of a devilish manager with nostalgia, I loved “The Devil Wears Prada”. Released in 2006, David Frankel’s movie captured a devilish manager running a fashion company. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Devil Wears Prada” stand out is its depiction of fashion. Frankel captures leaders guiding a fashion organization through costumes. Anchored by an amazing performance by Anne Hathaway, Frankel created a fantastic portrait of fashion leadership. A dazzling depiction of devilish managers in fashion-design, it’s a bold reminder of a genre that hasn’t lost abilities to shine by producing great movies audiences consider to be divine.

9. Anora

Prostitution has always been a common profession in New York. The city has built an image for being a location where hookers often engage in sexual acts causing damage. The dilemma faced by prostitutes in New York that struggle to gain recognition is beautifully explored in the movie “Anora”. Released in 2024, Sean Baker’s Oscar-winning movie depicted the life of a prostitute in New York City. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Anora” stand out is its depiction of prostitution. Baker uses captivating montages capturing hardships that a prostitute in New York is facing. Assisted by Mikey Madison who is amazing in the lead role, Baker created a portrait of prostitution that’s compelling. As precious as dresses worn by Anora, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre making great movies about a beautiful city in America.

10. American Psycho

Few movies ever made about killers in New York facing sorrow are as beloved as “American Psycho”. Released in 2000, Mary Harron’s movie captured psychotic killers in New York City. Harron used captivating narration to capture a killer in New York facing tension. Assisted by Christian Bale who is extraordinary in the lead role, Harron created a captivating thriller. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s negative depiction of New York as a city where serial killers are common has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. As memorable as murders committed by Patrick Bateman, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made great movies about a city that has become a tourist destination which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong filmmaking passion.