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The Big Apple of My Eye: The Best Romantic Comedies Set in NYC


The Big Apple of My Eye: The Best Romantic Comedies Set in NYC

If you’re writing a romantic comedy, you can also set it in New York City. Get inspired by these fantastic options.

'27 Dresses'

Twentieth Century Fox

Much of Jane’s time in 27 dresses she spends her time rushing around New York City. Whether she’s changing the back of a cab on the way to her next wedding or scouting out vendors for her brides, the city that never sleeps is always in the background in this romantic comedy.

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“Breakfast at Tiffany’s”

Jurow Shepherd

The opening scene of Breakfast at Tiffany’s is one of the most iconic films in film history. The sight of Holly Golightly walking down Fifth Avenue, dressing up in front of Tiffany’s and holding her breakfast, has caused millions to romanticize New York City since 1961.

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“When Harry Met Sally”

“When Harry Met Sally”

Castle Rock Entertainment/Columbia Pictures

Is there an image more fitting for autumn than Harry and Sally strolling through Central Park? The two enemies-turned-friends-turned-lovers have plenty of adorable scenes in the city, but there’s something so pristine about their first stroll as friends.

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‘You have mail’

'You have mail'

Lauren Shuler Donner Productions

Owning a bookstore in New York City is the ultimate romantic comedy profession. Kathleen was right to want to protect her store. There are millions of women who would trade places with her in a heartbeat.

Columbia Pictures

Watching Jenna Rink as a 13-year-old in the body of a 30-year-old trying to navigate New York City feels all too familiar. The only difference is that most of us don’t have the same glamorous job as Jenna.

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‘Manhattan Girl for Life’

'Manhattan Girl for Life'

Columbia Pictures

If you’re going to work as a maid anywhere, Manhattan is the place to be. And it worked out well for Jennifer Lopez. And also for the real woman the story is loosely based on, Anne-Marie Rassmussen, who married a Rockefeller after meeting him while working as a maid.

Touchstone Images

Sure, most The suggestion is set in Alaska, but the scenes that take place in New York City are iconography of a romantic comedy. Sandra Bullock on her knees proposing to Ryan Reynolds? Just thinking about those 10 seconds is enough to convince us that it’s time to watch this movie for the hundredth time.

'Cursed'

Walt Disney Pictures

Watching animated characters master the real world is always fun, no matter what city it happens in, but it is especially entertaining Cursed is set in New York City. The Big Apple is enchanting in its own way, but in a very different kind of fairy tale.

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“Friends with Benefits”

Screen jewels

Friends with Benefits alternates between New York City and Los Angeles, but is mostly set in New York and is full of scenes featuring iconic landmarks. A flash mob in the middle of Grand Central Station? It’s both an homage to the city it’s set in and a clear indication of when this film was released.

'Hitchhiking'

Columbia Pictures

New York City was the perfect place for Trailer hitch Dating is difficult anywhere, but hiring a dating coach to help you is a very New York idea. And regardless of that, Will Smith should have starred in at least a dozen more romantic comedies.

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“Sleepless in Seattle”

“Sleepless in Seattle”

TriStar Pictures

Although Sleepless in Seattle is a fantastic romantic comedy set in Seattle, with key moments also taking place in New York City. But other than that, we need more good romantic comedies set in Seattle. Rainy and dreary weather is the perfect backdrop for two people falling in love in the fall.

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“How do I get rid of him in 10 days?”

“How do I get rid of him in 10 days?”

Paramount Pictures

We would watch How do I get rid of it in 10 days? no matter where it took place, we appreciate that it takes us to places in New York City that we don’t often see in romantic comedies, like Madison Square Garden and Staten Island.

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“Sex and the City”

New Line Cinema

Like the show, Sex and the City has given us breathtaking shots of the streets of New York. Carrie Bradshaw’s wedding scene is one of the best, if most heartbreaking, wedding scenes of all time. The way she runs down the street in her wedding dress is indelibly etched in our brains.

Fox 2000 Pictures

Bride Wars is often forgotten in romantic comedy, but if you’re looking for a movie set in New York City, this one should be at the top of your list. The women spend a lot of time running errands, giving you insight into the city along the way.

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“Confessions of a Shopaholic”

Touchstone Images

If a movie is about a shopping addiction, it should almost always be set in New York City. Where else in the world can you indulge your habits as much as in New York? Great idea and great execution.

'Made of honour'

Columbia Pictures

Hannah’s job at the MET is one of the ultimate romantic comedy jobs, as is the bookstore owner. Honestly, we could watch an entire movie about it alone. And why haven’t more romantic comedies been made where the main characters meet at Ivy League universities?

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“Definitely, maybe”

“Definitely, maybe”

Universal Studios

There could be 1,000 romantic comedies set in New York and we would still try to watch every single one of them. Definitely, maybe doesn’t get the credit it deserves, but for those who are big setting freaks (like us), there are plenty of great insights into the city throughout the film.

'Funny face'

Paramount Pictures

Fans of this film will remember that Funny face is set mostly in Paris, but a lot of it also takes place in New York City. The fact that the film is set in both places makes it all the better. What better combination of cities for a film?

A production by Jack Rollins and Charles H. Joffe

How Funny face, The Urban Neurotic was set in two different cities – New York City and Los Angeles. It starts in New York City and ends in Los Angeles, and that combination is what makes it so successful because it’s still a classic all these years later.

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“Coming to America”

Eddie Murphy Productions

We associate New York City primarily with the view of Manhattan, but there are four other boroughs that deserve some love too. Coming to America is set in Queens and proves that Manhattan is not the only film-worthy location in the city.

Acacia Deadrick is a South Dakota-based writer who has written for websites such as Nicki Swift, The List, and Glam. She loves music and all things pop culture. In her free time, she enjoys watching TV, doing crossword puzzles, and reading.

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