Christmas movies set in NYC

December 6, 2009 12:02 PM

Christmas/Holiday/Winter movies set in NYC?

Hello all and Happy Holidays!

This is my first Christmas as a New York resident and I want to get in the spirit by watching Christmas movies set here. I can think of a few off the top of my head, but just for the sake of discussion, please give me your favorites, be they classics, modern classics, weird or obscure.

I'd even like to know those that are just set in winter in the city, but aren't necessarily holiday themed (like Stillman's Metropolitan, which I love).

Thanks!

posted by greta simone to Media & Arts (22 answers total)

Well, what comes immediately to mind is Miracle on 34th Street. There is also Serendipity.
posted by gudrun at 12:14 PM on December 6, 2009

Everyone Says I Love You has some nice bits about winter/Christmas in the city.
posted by Bromius at 12:18 PM on December 6, 2009

Elf!
posted by ch1x0r at 12:27 PM on December 6, 2009

Elf
Home Alone II

And every year I get sucked into watching a made for cable movie on Lifetime with Cynthia Gibbs and David James Elliot called Holiday Affair that takes place in NYC. Crowded toystore, Christmas morning in Central Park etc.
posted by saffry at 12:27 PM on December 6, 2009

I have been waiting to say this on MeFi for months.

Is it Ghostbusters 2?
posted by rokusan at 12:28 PM on December 6, 2009

Trading Places.
posted by Elsa at 12:28 PM on December 6, 2009

A few more.

The Thin Man (1934)
Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus (1974)
Mrs. Santa Claus (1996)
The Family Man (2000)
Noel (2004)
posted by rokusan at 12:28 PM on December 6, 2009

Diehard 3!
posted by firei at 12:46 PM on December 6, 2009

Home Alone II
Sleepless in Seattle has some New York Christmas scenes.
posted by mmmbacon at 12:48 PM on December 6, 2009

Trading Places is set in Philadelphia (where your fancy watch is worth fifty bucks).
posted by The Straightener at 1:05 PM on December 6, 2009

When Harry Met Sally
posted by SuperSquirrel at 1:05 PM on December 6, 2009

Falling in Love has a plot twist that happens in NYC (in particular, Rizzoli's bookstore) at Christmas.
posted by essexjan at 1:09 PM on December 6, 2009

If you want depressy, there's always Eyes Wide Shut.
posted by mochapickle at 1:13 PM on December 6, 2009

My favorite: Bell, Book and Candle.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 1:15 PM on December 6, 2009 [1 favorite]

TWinbrook8, bravo for mentioning Bell, Book and Candle.

Not a Christmas movie but some of the scenes (and plot points) depend very much on NYC in winter: Barefoot in the Park.
posted by gudrun at 1:50 PM on December 6, 2009

My total favorite:

THE APARTMENT (Billy Wilder, dir.)
posted by DMelanogaster at 2:54 PM on December 6, 2009 [2 favorites]

Scrooged
posted by Tooty McTootsalot at 3:04 PM on December 6, 2009 [1 favorite]

"The Royal Tennenbaums" appears to occur during fall/ winter (and makes use of "Christmas Time is Here" on the soundtrack)

"Auntie Mame" and also "Mame"(the musical version).

"Catch Me if You Can" includes both scenes at Christmas and scenes in NYC. Not always at the same time.

"All I Want For Christmas" (Cheesy, kids' movie. Features a very young Thora Birch. And a rather old Lauren Bacall)

There are probably more here.

Or you could just watch this.
posted by thivaia at 4:31 PM on December 6, 2009

You've Got Mail
posted by angiewriter at 5:56 PM on December 6, 2009

I think Eyes Wide Shut is set during Christmas.
posted by Juicy Avenger at 9:35 PM on December 6, 2009

BIG

The Odd Couple
posted by Taurid at 11:49 PM on December 6, 2009

The Hudsucker Proxy.
posted by kirkaracha at 6:44 AM on December 7, 2009