As a lifelong New Yorker who has lived through more romantic comedies than I care to admit, I can confidently say that this list is spot-on! From the struggle of finding love amidst skyscrapers and subway delays to the unspoken rules of dating in the city, these movies capture the essence of romance in NYC perfectly.
New York City often captivates as a city brimming with romantic charm. While it may not be Paris or Rome, it certainly has its own unique allure when it comes to American cities, serving as the backdrop for countless iconic romantic comedies that showcase the art of love. From Harry and Sally to Nick and Nora, these on-screen couples have found their romantic destinies in this bustling metropolis, making us swoon with every heartfelt moment.
When Harry Met Sally…
In simpler terms, “When Harry Met Sally…” is widely recognized as a timeless classic, and it’s likely the film that comes to mind when you read this story’s title. The characters Harry (played by Billy Crystal) and Sally (portrayed by Meg Ryan) take their time to fall in love, but eventually do so amidst the bustling cityscape of New York. The city, particularly the iconic scene at Katz’s Deli, plays a significant role throughout the movie.
Friends With Benefits
One contemporary interpretation of the romantic comedy genre set in New York City is the film “Friends With Benefits,” starring Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake. Similar to many residents of New York, they initially develop a friendship as they both climb the ladder of success in the bustling city. This friendship eventually evolves into something more intimate, known as the “benefits” phase. However, after a heartfelt public display of affection at Grand Central Station, they ultimately decide to fully commit to each other.
Annie Hall
It’s hard to imagine a movie list without including “Annie Hall,” a classic Woody Allen romantic comedy from the ’70s, often considered one of the best “New York movies” ever made. While Woody Allen’s reputation has taken a hit over time, there’s no denying that “Annie Hall” is a masterpiece worth appreciating.
Splash
In a seemingly overlooked romantic comedy set in New York City, directed by Ron Howard, the film Splash stands out. Here, Tom Hanks, playing one of his initial romantic roles, partners with Daryl Hannah in an unusual love story about a man and a mermaid. Interestingly, the mermaid character chooses the name Madison, after Manhattan’s famous avenue.
Hitch
Among the films on this list, Hitch, surprisingly, might best depict dating in a city such as New York. It’s primarily a jumbled tale where few characters seem to grasp the “signs” and many pass up numerous opportunities. Naturally, it concludes like most romantic comedies with all the suitable partners falling for one another.
Coming To America
Despite not always being labeled as a romantic comedy, it’s clear that “Coming to America” fits the bill perfectly. After all, when a future king sets out to find his queen, where else would he go but Queens? It’s quite unusual for a New York-based movie, especially a rom-com, to unfold outside of Manhattan, which makes “Coming to America” even more enjoyable due to its unique setting.
Maid In Manhattan
Indeed, the class distinctions in New York are quite evident and often blurred in films, mirroring real-life situations. A prime example is the movie “Maid in Manhattan,” starring Jennifer Lopez. In this film, Lopez portrays a hardworking maid who possesses an intelligence beyond her social standing. On the other hand, Ralph Fiennes plays a well-to-do politician who finds himself unexpectedly smitten with her. This captivating tale of love transcending class barriers is a testament to the power of unity and acceptance in the Big Apple.
How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days
A marketing professional portrayed by Matthew McConaughey and a fashion columnist embodied by Kate Hudson find themselves in a predicament where their careers necessitate them to fall in and out of love swiftly. Indeed, this scenario seems fitting for the bustling cityscape of New York – career-driven individuals! However, as they traverse the city together, love ultimately triumphs, as expected. In the film, there’s a scene where they take a moment to watch another iconic NYC romantic comedy, “Sleepless in Seattle.
Sleepless In Seattle
It may say “Seattle” in the name, but come on, Sleepless In Seattle is really about falling in love in New York. They even recreate the scene in An Affair To Remember when they agree to meet atop the Empire State Building! It’s one of the two classic Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan rom-coms set in New York and has to be on this list, despite its name.
13 Going On 30
One way to rephrase the given text in a natural and easy-to-read manner could be: “What makes 13 Going On 30 stand out is its ability to avoid being creepy, even though a thirteen-year-old is inhabiting a thirty-year-old’s body – something that Big occasionally struggles with. Jennifer Garner portrays the older Jenna, and although their romantic connection is somewhat subdued as she navigates her adult life (which seems more like a dream), the film’s romantic essence truly shines at the end when she and Matty (Mark Ruffalo’s character) rekindle their love as children once more.
You’ve Got Mail
Nothing beats the timeless charm of “You’ve Got Mail“. The duo of Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, a match made in cinema heaven, adds to its classic appeal. Moreover, their characters initially being adversaries who eventually fall in love is a tale as old as history itself. To top it off, the twist where Tom Hanks aims to close Meg Ryan’s store only serves to make this story set in New York even more intriguing.
Moonstruck
Moonstruck exudes the essence of New York City, from Brooklyn to the Upper West Side. It showcases working-class New Yorkers entangled in love’s chaos, and it’s both relatable and humorous. Despite the bumps along the way, everything eventually falls into place – quite a journey to reach that point!
Breakfast At Tiffany’s
Is there a more quintessential romantic comedy than “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” or a more memorable character than Audrey Hepburn portraying Holly Golightly? While the film does have some questionable elements, such as Mickey Rooney’s portrayal that may be offensive, it remains one of the most enchanting romantic movies ever made and should be included in any list discussing iconic rom-coms.
Confessions Of A Shopaholic
Watching numerous romantic comedies set in New York City gives you the impression that many characters are writers or magazine employees. It appears as if this is one of the few professions people associate with New York, and this is no different in “Confessions Of A Shopaholic”. In this story, a writer and an editor have an improbable romance, despite their initial misunderstandings. However, neither lets these issues hinder them from pursuing their goals.
Nick And Nora’s Infinite Playlist
If you resided in New York during the 2000s and had a passion for music, there’s a strong chance you visited Arlene’s Grocery at least once – a renowned Lower East Side venue. This is where Nick (Michael Cera) and Norah (Cat Dennings) first crossed paths in the romantic comedy “Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist”, making it one of the most authentically New York-themed rom-coms from that period.
Set It Up
In the setting of “Set It Up”, the atmosphere is distinctly New York, where two overwhelmed assistants devise a plan to matchmake their bosses in an attempt to ease their workload. Initially, this scheme seems successful, but it ends up consuming their spare time as they maintain their bosses’ relationship. Coincidentally, during all this time, the two assistants, portrayed by Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell, develop feelings for each other. A timeless tale indeed.
Big
To start off, let me address an unusual aspect of the movie Big: yes, there’s a bit of strangeness as Josh (Tom Hanks) is actually twelve years old and Susan (Elizabeth Perkins) is significantly older. However, despite this, it remains an extraordinary and hilarious romantic comedy. The most memorable scene from the film unfolds at FAO Schwarz, a renowned toy store in New York City at that time.
Enchanted
In a jiffy, you’ll notice the stark contrast between the magical realm of fairy tales and bustling New York City in the movie Enchanted. Although the city may seem rough around the edges, at its core, it carries the same captivating charm as any enchanting fairy tale land, a fact that the film eventually underscores.
Serendipity
Serendipity revolves around chance encounters and near misses. In John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale’s undervalued romantic comedy, both the city of New York and its iconic spots play significant roles as much as the characters falling in love at these places do.
27 Dresses
27 Dresses, with its theme of “eternally a bridesmaid, never the bride,” is set in New York City, a place where it seems plausible for someone to have been a bridesmaid 27 times – even twice on the same night, as depicted by Katherine Heigl’s character. Despite not being as central a location as some other films on this list, the city still plays an essential role in the story.
The Proposal
In essence, “The Proposal” strays slightly from convention. The storyline begins and concludes in New York City, yet the majority of its events unfold in locations that are as far removed from the city, both emotionally and physically. Ryan Reynolds’ character finds himself in a romantic entanglement with Sandra Bullock’s, primarily to help her maintain her residency status in the U.S. He takes her to Sitka, Alaska. Interestingly, it appears that New York City might have been the ideal setting for such an outlandish scenario to unfold.
Bride Wars
The core dispute between two friends-turned-adversaries revolves around choosing the same desired wedding location, the iconic Plaza Hotel in New York City. Known as the epitome of a “New York” wedding setting, it’s an unparalleled choice for those tying the knot in the Big Apple.
Made of Honor
In the bustling city of New York, Tom (Patrick Dempsey) and Hannah (Michelle Monaghan) share an enduring friendship, despite Tom’s habit of romancing multiple women. A sudden trip takes Hannah far away, and upon her return, she introduces her fiancé. This revelation prompts Tom to acknowledge his feelings for Hannah. As the movie unfolds, a series of mishaps occur before their love finally connects.
Definitely, Maybe
Indeed, Ryan Reynolds excels in portraying the lead roles in romantic comedies set in New York City, such as the film “Definitely, Maybe”. One common characteristic of these New York City rom-coms is that their protagonists often work in advertising. Perhaps this could serve as a clue to identify what makes a romantic comedy a New York one.
Kate And Leopold
In “Kate and Leopold,” the story spans two centuries in New York City, allowing audiences to enjoy both contemporary and 19th-century versions of this vibrant city. Essentially, we get a double dose of the town that’s famous enough to be named twice!
Two Weeks Notice
Coney Island is a famous district (with a beach) in New York City, where the characters Lucy (Sandra Bullock) and George (Hugh Grant) first meet in the movie “Two Weeks Notice”. Despite following a typical romantic comedy plotline, it remains amusing and endearing, making it worthy of being on this list. In fact, “Two Weeks Notice” is a more enjoyable romantic comedy than you might recall.
It Could Happen To You
1994’s “It Could Happen To You” is undeniably one of the movies that best captures the essence of New York City. The film features Nicolas Cage as a police officer in New York City, and it concludes with an aerial view of Central Park from a hot air balloon. Furthermore, renowned landmarks such as the Plaza Hotel and Yankee Stadium are integral parts of the storyline.
No Reservations
The mid-2000s marked the rise of the “rockstar chef” phenomenon within pop culture, along with the emergence of authoritative chefs who ruled their kitchens with a firm hand becoming commonplace. The series No Reservations showcases this trend extensively and it’s centered around the West Village.
Just My Luck
In another romantic comedy set in New York, we find ourselves with a character working in PR instead of advertising – but let’s not quibble over semantics! This time around, Lindsay Lohan portrays an employee at a PR firm. She’s a woman whose life seems to be one long streak of good fortune until she meets Jake, a man cursed with bad luck. Their paths cross at a party, and they share a kiss. From that moment on, their fortunes seem to have switched places! Laughter abounds as events unfold, culminating in an unexpected encounter at Grand Central Station – where everything finds its balance once more.
Picture Perfect
Jennifer Aniston gained initial popularity through a TV series famously set in New York City, and she has also filmed several romantic comedies there, such as “Picture Perfect” with Jay Mohr. Interestingly enough, she portrayed a tough advertising executive in the bustling city of New York, and you might be surprised to learn that… well, it seems we’ve covered it already!
How To Be Single
The movie “How to Be Single” portrays a lot of complicated love situations and questionable relationships, much like dating in your twenties in New York City. The character Alice, played by Dakota Johnson, struggles with finding love and occasionally misses out on what’s right in front of her – a scenario that is quite relatable to the fast-paced dating scene in New York City.
Something Borrowed
In the movie “Something Borrowed”, New York City isn’t as pivotal as it is in many other films on this list. However, given that it stars Kate Hudson in New York, it’s hard to ignore its inclusion when discussing romantic comedies set in the Big Apple.
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2024-11-27 15:37