Winter is always a beautiful time of the year in any city. But something about New York in the snow feels particularly festive. There are plenty of movies that really capture the essence of what it's like to be in the Big Apple during those wintery months.
While it could be a bit frosty, there's a magic to New York in winter that isn't replicated anywhere else in the world. Often movies make sure they are set in New York to try and capitalize on some of that natural beauty. Christmas films are especially common in this city, but there's plenty of other films that also make sure to show off the wintery scenes.
Scrooged (1988)
There's been a number of takes on the work of Charles Dickens over the years, but besides Oliver, Scrooge may be the character that has been put to screen the most. The man that hates Christmas has been portrayed in a number of different ways.
From Muppets to a more traditional take, Scrooged actually changed the location completely, settling for a snowy New York for this classic tale. It was a location magical enough to help really capture the spirit of the story.
Miracle On 34th Street (1994)
Miracles are a part of Christmas and nothing feels more festive than this remake of a classic. Many families have made it a tradition to see Richard Attenborough suit up as one of the best portrayals of Santa Claus on screen.
What's more exciting is this film takes place in New York, with the city really feeling like one of the characters. 34th Street is a vital location after all and the wintery scenes help to make this feel like the only location in the world to spend Christmas at.
A New York Christmas Wedding (2020)
A much more recent film that aims to use New York as a jumping-off point for a journey of self-discovery, this film takes its protagonist through her life to show her what she could have if she allowed herself to stop working and enjoy herself.
It's a moving story, only aided by the romanticism of New York. There's a reason so many romantic comedies are set in the Big Apple and an even bigger one as to why this movie was named after the famous city.
Home Alone 2 (1992)
If it wasn't bad enough that a kid was left home alone, then it's perhaps even worse that he was left completely by himself in the middle of New York. But the city sets the stage for a perfect series of traps.
With some citing thanks to its hilarious quotes and dangerous surprises, the movie makes great use of the New York backdrop, which makes the city feel like it's great fun for kids in winter.
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
When Harry Met Sally is actually a great representation of some of the seasons and how they affect New York. From the autumnal leaves across the floor to the Christmassy scenes, each moment sparkles.
The scenes where the pair are buying Christmas trees has a particularly winter glow to it, and the film itself is in many ways a love letter to a city that has seen so much love.
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2018)
The Spider-Man franchise has a magic to it anyway and is a great advocator for New York itself. Sony's animated take on this classic Marvel superhero actually had part of the film set in the winter.
Christmas is mentioned a few times throughout the film, thanks in part to Spidey's own festive album, but the movie itself has plenty of beautifully animated shots that actually has the streets of the fine city covered in snow!
Elf (2003)
Elf is of course considered a holiday classic, but people seem to overlook the fact that besides the fantastic performances and hilarious moments, a huge element of this film that works is the fact it is set in New York.
It's the perfect city to put the naïve elf in, considering it's huge and loud, wonderful and rude. It's a mad collection of all the things that end up making Christmas and this movie manages to capitalize on it, making it part of the narrative.
Serendipity (2001)
It seems almost predictable now that another romantic comedy would be set in New York, but this film really celebrates the location as becoming a key part of this love story. The film itself isn't exactly a holiday classic.
But the movie does make great use of some key areas of New York. The ice skating in particular manages to show off Central Park in all of its glory and showcases why it would be a lot of fun to spend winter there.
A New York Winter's Tale (2014)
Another movie that actually had its title changed in order to demonstrate the importance of New York itself, if there was ever a film that showcased New York in the winter, it would certainly be this one.
A complex love story based on the award-winning novel Winter's Tale, this star-studded cast is only enhanced by the beautiful locations that the film was shot in. Each of them wonderfully dressed in crisp white snow.
The Night Before (2015)
The Night Before demonstrates exactly what it's like to party in New York. It seems like a lot of chaotic fun.
This is slightly different from the beauty of the other films. While they all show why New York is a great city for the winter season, this demonstrates the benefits of Christmas itself in the big apple and what kind of adventure friends can get up to.
