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Will Travel for Lattes

Will Travel for Lattes

Best Movies Set in New York (That Aren’t The Godfather)

I love a good movie, don’t you? One of my favorite things to do if I have some free time is watch a movie, either in the theater or at home, with a big bowl of popcorn. After visiting NYC again last year, I started thinking about all the best movies set in New York and decided to put together a list of my favorites to share with you. While there are dozens of lists out there on this topic, I found that a lot of them simply repeat the same titles again and again. My list does not include The Godfather, which was on pretty much every list I read, because while it is an award winning movie it is not one of my favorites.

The movies I have included here are the best movies set in New York, in my opinion. Hopefully they will entertain you, while also inspiring you to visit New York yourself!

*My list is in alphabetical order, not necessarily in order of how much I like the movie.

Best Movies Set in New York

Movie poster for As Good As It Gets, featuring Jack Nicholson. Best movies set in New York.

As Good As It Gets

1997 Rated PG-13 IMDb rating 7.7 Rotten Tomatoes 85%

A single mother and waitress (Helen Hunt), a misanthropic author (Jack Nicholson), and a gay artist (Greg Kinnear) form an unlikely friendship after the artist is assaulted in a robbery.

This movie is funny, sad, and heartwarming. Both Brandon and I enjoyed this one years ago, and writing about it now makes me want to watch it again.

Movie poster for Brooklyn starring Saoirse Ronan. Best movies set in New York.

Brooklyn

2015 Rated PG-13 IMDb rating 7.5 Rotten Tomatoes 97%

An Irish immigrant lands in 1950s Brooklyn, where she quickly falls into a romance with a local. When her past catches up with her, however, she must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within.

I loved loved loved this movie! Admittedly, I am a sucker for pretty much anything that is a period piece. I also happen to really like Saoirse Ronan. She is an incredible actress, at least in everything I have seen.

Movie poster for Disney's Newsies: The Broadway Musical. Best movies set in New York.

Disney’s Newsies: The Broadway Musical

2017 Rated PG IMDb rating 8.3 Rotten Tomatoes 93%

Newsboys go on strike in 1899 New York in this stage performance of the musical “Newsies”. Filmed live on stage at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, this high energy show stars the original Broadway cast members.

My daughter Finley and I love musicals, and Newsies is no exception. Period piece? Check. Musical? Check. The cast is incredibly talented and put on a fantastic show!

Movie poster for Elf starring Will Ferrell. Best movies set in New York.

Elf

2003 Rated PG IMDb rating 7 Rotten Tomatoes 85%

Raised as an oversized elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs, who doesn’t know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christmas spirit.

This is one of our all-time favorite Christmas movies, and one that we watch every single year without fail! It’s funny, heartwarming, and will definitely put you in the Christmas spirit. Fun for the whole family!

Movie poster for Enchanted. Best movies set in New York.

Enchanted

2007 Rated PG IMDb rating 7.1 Rotten Tomatoes 93%

A young maiden in a land called Andalasia, who is prepared to be wed, is sent away to New York City by an evil Queen, where she falls in love with a lawyer.

This is a fun movie for the whole family! Part animation, part live-action, this romantic comedy is also a musical. My daughters and I enjoyed it!

Movie poster for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, a spin-off of the Harry Potter films.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

2016 Rated PG-13 IMDb rating 7.2 Rotten Tomatoes 74%

The adventures of writer Newt Scamander in New York’s secret community of witches and wizards seventy years before Harry Potter reads his book in school.

We are big time Harry Potter fans over here! In all honesty, Brandon did not care for this movie as much because of the focus on the beasts. The rest of us enjoyed it though! There are two others in this series as of this writing, and we have enjoyed them all. A must see for any Harry Potter fan!

Movie poster for Miracle on 34th Street, the classic Christmas movie from 1947.

Miracle on 34th Street

1947 Not Rated IMDb rating 7.9 Rotten Tomatoes 96%

After a divorced New York mother hires a nice old man to play Santa Claus at Macy’s, she is startled by his claim to be the genuine article. When his sanity is questioned, a lawyer defends him in court by arguing that he’s not mistaken.

This is another favorite of ours that we watch every Christmas! There is a newer version, but we prefer the original in either black and white or color. This is a sweet movie for the whole family to enjoy during the holidays!

Movie poster for School of Rock starring Jack Black.

School of Rock

2003 PG-13 IMDb rating 7.2 Rotten Tomatoes 92%

After being kicked out of his rock band, Dewey Finn becomes a substitute teacher of an uptight elementary private school, only to try and turn his class into a rock band.

This is a fun movie for the whole family! Keep in mind it is rated PG-13 for rude humor and drug references, so use your own judgement when deciding what age range it is appropriate for. We generally enjoy Jack Black comedies for what they are, and they are not to be taken too seriously.

Movie poster for tick, tick...BOOM! A Netflix film directed by Lin-Manual Miranda.

tick, tick…Boom!

2021 PG-13 IMDb rating 7.5 Rotten Tomatoes 87%

On the cusp of his 30th birthday, a promising young theater composer navigates love, friendship and the pressures of life as an artist in New York City.

Another musical on my list of the best movies set in New York, and this one is directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda who I’m a fan of. This movie was interesting (it’s based on a true story), and super sad at times. It highlights very well the struggle that it is to be a starving artist in a place like New York City.

Movie poster for the class film West Side Story from 1961 starring Natalie Wood.

West Side Story

1961 Approved IMDb rating 7.6 Rotten Tomatoes 93%

Two youngsters from rival New York City gangs fall in love, but tensions between their respective friends build toward tragedy.

I honestly had a hard time choosing between this version and the newer one (see below). They both have their merits and their faults. I guess you are just going to have to watch them both and see if you can decide which one is better!

Movie posted from the latest film adaptation of West Side Story.

West Side Story

2021 PG-13 IMDb rating 7.2 Rotten Tomatoes 91%

An adaptation of the 1957 musical, West Side Story explores forbidden love and the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds.


Did I miss any of the best movies set in New York? Do you agree (or disagree) with my list? Let me know in the comments!

Looking for more New York travel inspiration? Check out my travel guide and holiday guide!

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Hi, I’m Tracy Green

Hi, I’m Tracy Green

I am a coffee, food and travel blogger currently based in Dallas, Texas. Come explore the world with me!

willtravelforlattes

willtravelforlattes
Top 3 tips for riding the tram ⬇️1. Fare is Top 3 tips for riding the tram ⬇️1. Fare is $2.75 each way. If you have a 7-Day or 30-Day Unlimited MetroCard be aware that if you swipe your card and then decide you want to go grab a photo (or whatever), you will not be able to use the same card again “for awhile”. How long is “for awhile” you might ask? I don’t know 😂 This scenario happened to us, and when I asked an NYC cop standing nearby what that meant the answer I was given was a sarcastic one at best. We ended up buying single ride cards for the return trip rather than wait for an undetermined amount of time.2. During the week the best time to ride is between 10:00am-3:00pm if you want to avoid rush hour and a crowded cabin. If that is not possible don’t worry too much, we were smashed in on the way to Roosevelt Island and couldn’t see anything. But only a handful of people were there for the ride back.3. For the best view of the tram passing overhead disembark and walk down below the lines. You can watch the trams coming in and leaving from there.📍2nd Avenue, between 59th Street and 60th Street (Manhattan side)What do you think? Would you ride this aerial tram? I’m not afraid of heights, but I can see that being an issue for someone who is.Follow @willtravelforlattes for destination recommendations from wherever we roam!#rooseveltislandtram #nycforever #nycviews #nycexplorers #travelblogs #thingstodoinnyc #thingstodoinnycwithkids #bucketlistnyc #bucketlisttravel #travelersforlife
You may call it coffee…I call it my emotional su You may call it coffee…I call it my emotional support beverage.My mom sends me the best coffee quotes 😆@remi.nyc was our first coffee shop stop on this trip. We tried and loved the Toasted Marshmallow Mocha!📍906 2nd Avenue, New York, NYFollow @willtravelforlattes for local coffee shop recommendations from wherever we roam!#willtravelforlattes #nyccoffee #coffeeshopsoftheworld #discovernyc #nyccity #localcoffeeshop #travelingblogger #coffeearoundtheworld #coffeeblogger #girlaroundtheworld
Let me set the scene…We got up at 3:15am to ca Let me set the scene…We got up at 3:15am to catch our flight to NYC. With a few minutes to spare, we grabbed a croissant at the airport before taking off.Our plane lands in Newark at 10:30 and we hop in a taxi to drop our bags at our hotel before going to lunch. This is where we hit a snag. Due to construction delays we end up sitting in traffic for over an hour.We finally reach our hotel, check in and drop our bags. We then head to the subway to buy our Metrocards.I don’t know if it’s the lack or sleep, or the lack of food (and coffee), but I have the hardest time understanding the directions Google is giving me. We spend 15 or 20 minutes trying to figure out which train we want and where it is located.By this time we are both getting hangry and I decide I’ve had enough and head back to the street to walk. Twenty minutes later we arrive at @jojubanhmi and place our order.We eat our sandwiches and agree that they are one of the best things we have ever tasted in our entire lives. Were our opinions potentially affected by how hungry we were? Maybe. But I still say this was one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had!📍555 5th Avenue, New York, NYWe recommend:
- Beef Bulgogi Banh Mi
- Ginger Seitan Bites Banh MiBoth sandwiches were on a toasted baguette with mayonnaise, cucumber, pickled daikon-carrot, and cilantro.What’s the best sandwich you have ever eaten?Follow @willtravelforlattes for foodie recommendations from wherever we roam!#vietnamesesandwich #banhmi #nycrestaurants #nyceatstagram #travelingfoodie #cameraeatsfirst #traveltoeat #foodiefinds #foodietravel #foodieblogger
One of our favorite hotel stays ever was here at @ One of our favorite hotel stays ever was here at @virginhotelsnyc📍1227 Broadway, New York, NY 10001I really don’t have a single negative thing to say, we loved our stay! I definitely want to stay at some of their other locations in the future.Have you ever stayed at a Virgin Hotel?Follow @willtravelforlattes for boutique hotel recommendations from wherever we roam!#nyctrip #newyorktravel #newyorkcityview #newyorkgram #newyorkexplored #travelblogs #travelgirlsgo #besthotelsintheworld #letsexplore #nycexperience
One of the things I love about NYC is the endless One of the things I love about NYC is the endless list of of incredible restaurants and coffee shops to try! We tried all new (to us) places on this trip, with the exception of Fabrique.Places featured in this reel:
@jojubanhmi
@remi.nyc
@levainbakery
@spotdessertbar
@unregularpizza
@fabriquebakery
@urbanbackyardnyc
@faiccosnyc
@funnyfacebakery
@alimama.nycWhich one would you most like to try?Follow @willtravelforlattes for foodie adventures from wherever we roam!#nyceatstagram #eatingnewyork #newyorkfood #travelingfoodie #foodadventures #sheeats #foodieblogger #foodiefinds #foodietravel #foodieadventures
⚡️It’s Harry Potter Day!⚡️We saw Harry ⚡️It’s Harry Potter Day!⚡️We saw Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the @lyricbroadway in NYC, and loved the whole experience! Well, except for the crazy food prices 😆We were running a bit short on time when we arrived at Russ & Daughters for lunch prior to the show, and one look at the line told me we were going to have to skip it. This was our second attempt to try the famous New York culinary icon, and once again we walked away empty handed.Which brings me back to the outrageous food prices at the Lyric Theatre. Since we had to skip lunch and knew the show is on the longer side (3.5 hours) we grabbed 2 popcorns and 2 apple cider slushies for a grand total of $73.59 🫣 I guess I was expecting something more along the lines of movie theater pricing…overpriced but not shockingly so.When and where was the craziest food pricing you have ever experienced? Did you walk away hungry or pay up and eat?#cursedchildnyc #harrypotterday #broadwaynyc #visitnyc #newyorktravel #lyrictheatre #newyorkgram #manhattannyc #timessquarenyc #shewanders
Tex Mex + BBQ? These are a few of my favorite thin Tex Mex + BBQ? These are a few of my favorite things!@valentinastexmexbbq is family owned and operated in Austin, TX and they are serving up really great food.📍11500 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78748We recommend:
🥪 Pulled Chicken Sandwich
🌮 Smoked Brisket Taco
🌮 Smoked Chicken Fajita Taco
🌽 Smoked Corn
🥑 Chips and Guacamole
🧀 Chips and QuesoHave you ever tried Tex Mex BBQ?Follow @willtravelforlattes for foodie finds from wherever we roam!#travelingfoodie #austinfood #texmexbbq #foodandtravelblog #austineats #texasfood #texasfoodie #texasroadtrip #cameraeatsfirst #foodloversofinstagram
Who else loves a good cookie? 🍪💚I could no Who else loves a good cookie? 🍪💚I could not pass up this cute cactus cookie from @thehayleycakesHayley Cakes & Cookies is a family owned and operated bakery with 3 locations in Austin, TX. They also ship their cookies within the USA.What’s your favorite cookie flavor?Follow @willtravelforlattes for foodie finds from wherever we roam!#visitaustin #512bites #thingstodoinaustin #austineats #eeeeeats #foodiefinds #foodietravel #willtravelforfood #foodandtravelblogger #foodandtravelblog
Before I die I want to…We visited the Before I Before I die I want to…We visited the Before I Die wall in Austin, Texas and added our personal aspirations to those that came before us. The @beforeidieproject was created by artist @candychangland who created the original wall in New Orleans after the death of a loved one. There are now over 5,000 walls around the world!“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” - Oscar WildeMy hope for you is that you live your life on your own terms. Decide what to be and go be it. Don’t just dream about your bucket list, start living it!What would you add to the wall?Follow @willtravelforlattes for destination recommendations from wherever we roam!#beforeidie #bucketlistlife #travelinstagram #travelinspired #familyroadtrip #lovefortravel #familyadventure #familytravelblog #familytravelblogger #wanderlusters
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Top 3 tips for riding the tram ⬇️1. Fare is Top 3 tips for riding the tram ⬇️1. Fare is $2.75 each way. If you have a 7-Day or 30-Day Unlimited MetroCard be aware that if you swipe your card and then decide you want to go grab a photo (or whatever), you will not be able to use the same card again “for awhile”. How long is “for awhile” you might ask? I don’t know 😂 This scenario happened to us, and when I asked an NYC cop standing nearby what that meant the answer I was given was a sarcastic one at best. We ended up buying single ride cards for the return trip rather than wait for an undetermined amount of time.2. During the week the best time to ride is between 10:00am-3:00pm if you want to avoid rush hour and a crowded cabin. If that is not possible don’t worry too much, we were smashed in on the way to Roosevelt Island and couldn’t see anything. But only a handful of people were there for the ride back.3. For the best view of the tram passing overhead disembark and walk down below the lines. You can watch the trams coming in and leaving from there.📍2nd Avenue, between 59th Street and 60th Street (Manhattan side)What do you think? Would you ride this aerial tram? I’m not afraid of heights, but I can see that being an issue for someone who is.Follow @willtravelforlattes for destination recommendations from wherever we roam!#rooseveltislandtram #nycforever #nycviews #nycexplorers #travelblogs #thingstodoinnyc #thingstodoinnycwithkids #bucketlistnyc #bucketlisttravel #travelersforlife
You may call it coffee…I call it my emotional su You may call it coffee…I call it my emotional support beverage.My mom sends me the best coffee quotes 😆@remi.nyc was our first coffee shop stop on this trip. We tried and loved the Toasted Marshmallow Mocha!📍906 2nd Avenue, New York, NYFollow @willtravelforlattes for local coffee shop recommendations from wherever we roam!#willtravelforlattes #nyccoffee #coffeeshopsoftheworld #discovernyc #nyccity #localcoffeeshop #travelingblogger #coffeearoundtheworld #coffeeblogger #girlaroundtheworld
Let me set the scene…We got up at 3:15am to ca Let me set the scene…We got up at 3:15am to catch our flight to NYC. With a few minutes to spare, we grabbed a croissant at the airport before taking off.Our plane lands in Newark at 10:30 and we hop in a taxi to drop our bags at our hotel before going to lunch. This is where we hit a snag. Due to construction delays we end up sitting in traffic for over an hour.We finally reach our hotel, check in and drop our bags. We then head to the subway to buy our Metrocards.I don’t know if it’s the lack or sleep, or the lack of food (and coffee), but I have the hardest time understanding the directions Google is giving me. We spend 15 or 20 minutes trying to figure out which train we want and where it is located.By this time we are both getting hangry and I decide I’ve had enough and head back to the street to walk. Twenty minutes later we arrive at @jojubanhmi and place our order.We eat our sandwiches and agree that they are one of the best things we have ever tasted in our entire lives. Were our opinions potentially affected by how hungry we were? Maybe. But I still say this was one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had!📍555 5th Avenue, New York, NYWe recommend:
- Beef Bulgogi Banh Mi
- Ginger Seitan Bites Banh MiBoth sandwiches were on a toasted baguette with mayonnaise, cucumber, pickled daikon-carrot, and cilantro.What’s the best sandwich you have ever eaten?Follow @willtravelforlattes for foodie recommendations from wherever we roam!#vietnamesesandwich #banhmi #nycrestaurants #nyceatstagram #travelingfoodie #cameraeatsfirst #traveltoeat #foodiefinds #foodietravel #foodieblogger
One of our favorite hotel stays ever was here at @ One of our favorite hotel stays ever was here at @virginhotelsnyc📍1227 Broadway, New York, NY 10001I really don’t have a single negative thing to say, we loved our stay! I definitely want to stay at some of their other locations in the future.Have you ever stayed at a Virgin Hotel?Follow @willtravelforlattes for boutique hotel recommendations from wherever we roam!#nyctrip #newyorktravel #newyorkcityview #newyorkgram #newyorkexplored #travelblogs #travelgirlsgo #besthotelsintheworld #letsexplore #nycexperience
One of the things I love about NYC is the endless One of the things I love about NYC is the endless list of of incredible restaurants and coffee shops to try! We tried all new (to us) places on this trip, with the exception of Fabrique.Places featured in this reel:
@jojubanhmi
@remi.nyc
@levainbakery
@spotdessertbar
@unregularpizza
@fabriquebakery
@urbanbackyardnyc
@faiccosnyc
@funnyfacebakery
@alimama.nycWhich one would you most like to try?Follow @willtravelforlattes for foodie adventures from wherever we roam!#nyceatstagram #eatingnewyork #newyorkfood #travelingfoodie #foodadventures #sheeats #foodieblogger #foodiefinds #foodietravel #foodieadventures
⚡️It’s Harry Potter Day!⚡️We saw Harry ⚡️It’s Harry Potter Day!⚡️We saw Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the @lyricbroadway in NYC, and loved the whole experience! Well, except for the crazy food prices 😆We were running a bit short on time when we arrived at Russ & Daughters for lunch prior to the show, and one look at the line told me we were going to have to skip it. This was our second attempt to try the famous New York culinary icon, and once again we walked away empty handed.Which brings me back to the outrageous food prices at the Lyric Theatre. Since we had to skip lunch and knew the show is on the longer side (3.5 hours) we grabbed 2 popcorns and 2 apple cider slushies for a grand total of $73.59 🫣 I guess I was expecting something more along the lines of movie theater pricing…overpriced but not shockingly so.When and where was the craziest food pricing you have ever experienced? Did you walk away hungry or pay up and eat?#cursedchildnyc #harrypotterday #broadwaynyc #visitnyc #newyorktravel #lyrictheatre #newyorkgram #manhattannyc #timessquarenyc #shewanders
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