New York is a wonderful City to spend any holiday! And as Hollywood has shown us time and time again, it’s an ideal spot to celebrate Christmas. These are the Top Five Christmas movies set in the ole’ Big Apple!
Also featured are some of the buildings you can see in these New York City Christmas Movies!
Scrooged (1988)
Based on the classic Charles Dickens tale A Christmas Carol, Scrooged is one of my favorite New York City Christmas Movies. It stars Bill Murray as a miserable television executive who has forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. He is in turn visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve in an attempt to show him the error of his ways. Though it is a bit dark for a Christmas movie, it is loads of fun and shows a great view of New York City in the late 80’s. A grim, gritty place at the time, it was a perfect setting for this updated classic.
Elf (2003)
One of the more recent Christmas classics, Elf tells the story of a man searching for answers. Buddy the Elf, like the man who plays him, took the country by storm. After finding out that he is not the Elf he thought he was, Buddy takes a trek from the North Pole all the way to New York City. Along the way he visits Central Park, Rockefeller Center and Gimbels, a now defunct NYC department store!
While Gimbels may not be around anymore, it’s that mix of old and new New York that places Elf among the classic New York City Christmas Movies!
Ghostbusters 2 (1989)
Another favorite of mine, Ghostbusters 2 features even more landmarks than the first and takes place right around the holidays! The boys are back, busting ghosts and saving the city. While technically the climax of the film happens on New Year’s Eve, the holiday spirit is in full force in this New York City Christmas Movie and the soundtrack may be one of the best ever!
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
A movie so nice, they made it twice! The real Santa Claus takes over his own role in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. While people at Macy’s don’t believe his claim that he is the real Kris Kringle, there’s one little girl that believes him wholeheartedly! A warm, wonderful tale that gives you a great look at old New York in Christmas time and put you in the holiday spirit!
Home Alone 2: Lost In New York
Another personal favorite! (Can you guess how old I am?) Kevin McCallister and his family love traveling for the holidays and despite their best efforts to bring the clan to Florida, Kevin winds up in NYC! The city looks even more magical through the eyes of a child. He goes everywhere from the Plaza Hotel to Carnegie Hall to Central Park. And it all ends under the Rockefeller Christmas Tree! New York never looked more enticing!
What’s YOUR favorite New York Christmas movie? Let us know and join us for any of our New York City neighborhood tours to see what you’re missing!