I'm a brit about to embark on a 2nd visit to NYC. As I can't travel here often enough, I have gone square eyed reading reviews/web sites etc. Can anyone suggest some movies that give a really good feel for this wonderful city?

Ghostbusters, the Producers . . .

Anything by Woody Allen.

The quintessential New York movie is probably On the Town, the old Gene Kelly-Frank Sinatra MGM musical. I believe it was the first movie to actually film on location in the city.

I agree with the suggestions so far. For Woody Allen movies- Manhattan, Annie Hall, Everybody Says I Love You, Manhattan Murder Mystery, Hannah & Her Three Sisters.

Howard's right about "On The Town"-first movie shot on location. While I haven't seen it, The Muppets Take Manhattan evidently does a good job of showing the city.

Breakfast at Tiffany's is a classic. When Harry Met Sally has some good shots. Six Degrees of Separation shows a very upscale NY. Slaves of NY (not a great movie) shows the downtown scene of the 80's.

Then there are grittier movies like Taxi Driver & Midnight Cowboy.

"You've Got MAil" is the most current must see for the Upper WEst SIde of Manhattan.

Do the Right Thing

In America

Barefoot in the Park

The Out of Towners (either version)

All of the listed movies are great NY pics (Woody Allen movies in particular --- and I would add Mighty Aphrodite to the list).

A couple other lighthearted NYC movies...

It Could Happen to You (Nicholas Cage/Bridget Fonda) - a celebration of the kindness of random NYers.

Working Girl (Melanie Griffith/Harrison Ford).

The Secret of My Success and For Love or Money (Michael J. Fox films).

Crocodile Dundee was also a great fish out of water story with a NY background (as much as I hate to admit it).

The Warriors

(just kidding)

Just saw a movie on HBO called TWO WEEKS NOTICE - Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant. Shows more of NY than any movie I have seen recently.

A few more.....

"A Perfect Murder" with Michael Douglas and Gwenyth Paltrow

"Saturday Night Fever" - John Travolta

"How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" - Kate Hudson, Matthew McConaugehy (sp)

"Someone Like You" - Ashley Judd, Greg Kinnear

Any episode of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" (LOL)

Anger Management & Unfaithful both are set in NYC

A Bronx Tale. about growing up in a tough neighborhood and the struggle between family and corruption.

My fave NYC-based movie is "Crossing Delancy." It's set in the Lower East Side...which means the movie doesn't try to be "hip" or "artsy." I just love the "Sam the pickle man" character."

WARRIORS???!?? I can't stop laughing whenver this movie comes on. Compared to more recent "gangsta" movies (Boys in the Hood, Colors, Mi Vida Loca, etc.) the dudes in "Warriors" look like a bunch of hairdressers walking thru town!

Sleepless in Seattle , King of New York . New Jack City .Miracle on 34th street .tv show Friends 'Seinfeld.

New York Stories
Bringing out the Dead
Wall Street
Bonfire of the Vanities
Donnie Brasco
Night on Earth

Can you get US television - namely NBC?
Law and Order is based in New York

Moonstruck

Spike Lee sets a lot of his movies in New York. Do the Right Thing.

Martin Scorsese's "After Hours" is probably his least violent movie set in modern-day NY (though now it's almost 20 years old).

The TV show "Third Watch" is also shot in NYC.

We just watched After Hours last night. One of our favorites...

It's set in pre shopping mall Soho, back when there were actually creative people living and working in the area.