New York City is one of the most popular locations for romantic comedies due to its aspirational setting, urban oasis atmosphere, iconic spots that provide a good backdrop for romantic moments, and its sheer density, making it an exciting place to meet the love of your life.
Here are some of the best romantic-comedy movies of all time that take place in the Big Apple.
When Harry Met Sally
The 1989 classic When Harry Met Sally follows best friends Harry and Sally, who have known each other for years. However, they fear sex would ruin their twelve-year-long friendship.
Any list of the best romantic-comedy movies of all time should always include this Rob Reiner/Nora Ephron classic, as it set the template for the romantic comedies released since then. New York City is also a key character in the film's plot since the setting helped on the tension between the titular characters in navigating their friendship.
Where You Can Watch: Paramount+, MGM+
You've Got Mail
Nora Ephron's You've Got Mail follows book superstore magnate Joe Fox and independent book shop owner Kathleen Kelly, who fall in love in the anonymity of the Internet, both blissfully unaware that he's trying to put her out of business.
This is one of the first films where the World Wide Web was prominently explored in a romantic-comedy story. This also marked another Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan collaboration that has endured throughout the 90s. New York City was also a prominent part of the film, and was the perfect setting for its big business versus small business storyline.
Where You Can Buy or Rent: Apple TV, Amazon Video, Fandango at Home
13 Going on 30
13 Going on 30 follows unpopular schoolgirl Jenna Rink as she makes an unusual wish on her birthday. Miraculously, her wish comes true, and the 13-year-old Jenna wakes up the next day as a 30-year-old woman.
The film is a perfect blend of romantic-comedy and coming-of-age story that is full of heart and humor. Jennifer Garner gave a charming performance and solidified herself as a reliable movie star amidst her starring role in Alias. To this day, it has endured as one of the most rewatchable romantic comedies.
Where You Can Watch: Hulu
Annie Hall
Woody Allen's Annie Hall follows Alvy Singer, a divorced Jewish comedian, as he reflects on his relationship with ex-lover Annie Hall, an aspiring nightclub singer, which ended abruptly, just like his previous marriages.
The film is considered to be a romantic-comedy masterpiece and turned Allen into a prominent filmmaker. The setting of New York City was a pivotal "character" in the film, just like most of Allen's movies. This is also one of the very rare romantic movies that won Best Picture at the Oscars.
Where You Can Watch: Prime Video
Maid in Manhattan
Maid in Manhattan follows a Senatorial candidate who falls in love with a hotel maid, thinking she is a socialite, when he sees her trying on a wealthy woman's dress.
As the title suggests, the film took place in Manhattan and was the center of its storyline. While it's not considered to be an all-time great in the pantheon of romantic comedies, it is still rewatchable for many fans, and it solidified Jennifer Lopez as one of the queens of romantic comedy.
Where You Can Buy or Rent: Apple TV, Amazon Video, Fandango at Home
Moonstruck
Moonstruck follows Loretta Castorini, a bookkeeper from Brooklyn, New York, who finds herself in a difficult situation when she falls for the brother of the man she has agreed to marry.
Cher notably won an Oscar for her performance in the film, one of the rare wins in the romantic comedy genre. The film has been a classic for decades due to Cher and Nicolas Cage's chemistry and the prominent use of Brooklyn as its main setting.
Where You Can Watch: Prime Video
Sleepless in Seattle
Nora Ephron's Sleepless in Seattle follows a recently widowed man's son who calls a radio talk show in an attempt to find his father a partner.
While the film did not primarily take place in New York City, it still has the iconic scene in the Empire State Building that makes it a deserving entry in the list. It is also one of the collaborations between Hanks and Ryan, and arguably their most iconic work together.
Where You Can Buy or Rent: Apple TV, Amazon Video, Fandango at Home
Friends with Benefits
Friends with Benefits follows a man and woman who decide to take their friendship to the next level without becoming a couple, but soon discover that adding sex only leads to complications.
This is one of the prominent films that explored the idea of "friends with benefits" as part of the main genesis of a romantic story. New York City was also a prominent location, as it added to the atmosphere and tension of what the main characters went through.
Where You Can Watch: Netflix
The Proposal
In The Proposal, when New York editor Margaret faces deportation, she convinces her assistant Andrew to marry her in return for a promotion. However, when she visits his hometown, it changes her in many ways.
While the story primarily took place in Alaska, several key romantic moments were set in New York City, which makes this film qualified enough to be part of the list. The film took advantage of New York City's iconography in exploring the romance of the main characters.
Where You Can Watch: Hulu
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