The Hollywood Reporter has compiled a guide to 45 notable New York City sites used in movies and TV shows, inviting visitors to explore the city's cinematic history. From Central Park landmarks to iconic bridges and delis, these spots have served as backdrops for classics and modern hits alike. The list highlights one key production per location to showcase New York's enduring role in storytelling.
New York City, with its blend of grit and vibrancy, has long been a staple in film and television, often acting as a character itself. A new guide from The Hollywood Reporter, published on December 26, 2025, spotlights 45 accessible filming locations across the boroughs, focusing on sites that left lasting impressions in popular productions. The compilation avoids exhaustive lists per spot to keep it concise, instead emphasizing memorable scenes and encouraging trips to the Big Apple.
Starting in Manhattan's Upper West Side, the American Museum of Natural History at 200 Central Park West features exterior shots from the 'Night at the Museum' films, where Ben Stiller's character encounters a lively dinosaur skeleton named Rexy. Across the East River, the Brooklyn Bridge, opened in 1883, hosts a pivotal walk by Denzel Washington's music mogul in Spike Lee's 'Highest 2 Lowest,' reuniting the duo since 'Malcolm X.'
Central Park offers multiple gems, including Bethesda Terrace and Fountain at 72nd Street, a photogenic hub near the lake; Bow Bridge at 74th Street, site of a dramatic jump in 'Uptown Girls' (2003) with Brittany Murphy; and rowboats at the boathouse, glimpsed in Disney's 'Enchanted' (2007) during Amy Adams' musical tour with Patrick Dempsey. The Mall promenade leads to Bethesda, where Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes strolled in 'Maid in Manhattan' (2002).
Other highlights span Midtown's Chrysler Building, digitally enhanced in 'Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer' (2007); Queens' Citi Field, altered to mimic the old Shea Stadium for Darren Aronofsky's 'Caught Stealing' with Austin Butler; Greenwich Village's Comedy Cellar, where Will Arnett performed stand-up prep for Bradley Cooper's 'Is This Thing On?' (2025); and Brooklyn's Coney Island Boardwalk, capturing 35mm scenes in Sean Baker's Oscar-winning 'Anora' (2024) starring Mikey Madison.
The guide extends to classics like the Empire State Building in 'King Kong' (1933), Katz's Delicatessen's famous scene in 'When Harry Met Sally' (1989), and the 'Friends' apartment exterior at 90 Bedford Street. It notes practical details, such as only exteriors used in many cases, and tips like avoiding weekend lines at delis. This roundup underscores New York's appeal for film fans, blending history, architecture, and pop culture without overwhelming detail.
