The best movies and shows set in New York City, ranked

315 titles set in New York City from the recognizable third of the CouchRot catalog, ranked by quality and fame. Every page carries scare, gore, violence and emotional-weight tags, plus where to stream in the US.

1. 1The Godfather Part II (1974)Graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally devastating · measured · RA crime family's epic saga unfolds with melancholy, as a son expands the empire his father built.Paramount+ · MGM+
2. 2GoodFellas (1990)Mildly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally devastating · RA Brooklyn kid's rise through the Mafia is a relentless, gritty, and darkly satirical crime epic.82
3. 3Whiplash (2014)No gore · emotionally devastating · relentless · RA young drummer's pursuit of perfection under a ruthless instructor becomes a relentless, gritty battle for his soul.89
4. 4The Avengers (2012)No gore · strong violence · relentless · PG-13Earth's mightiest heroes assemble for an epic, relentless, and witty battle to save humanity.Disney+ · Hulu
5. 5Léon: The Professional (1994)Mildly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally devastating · RA hardened hitman becomes the reluctant protector of a young girl seeking vengeance in a brutal world.YouTube (free) · Tubi
6. 6Friends (1994) · seriesNo gore · measured · TV-14Six New Yorkers navigate young adulthood, finding heartwarming companionship and witty comfort in their shared struggles.Max80
7. 7Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)No gore · emotionally devastating · measured · RA man erases memories of a lost love, only to find his heart still clinging to their surreal romance.
8. 8Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)Mildly scary · strong violence · emotionally heavy · relentless · PGA relentless, whimsical adventure across the multiverse pits Spider-People against each other with witty, wholesome humor.Disney+ · Max
9. 9The Usual Suspects (1995)Light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · measured · RA low-level con man's intricate tale of a mythic crime lord unravels with gritty, suspenseful precision.Prime Video · Max · Hoopla
10. 10Once Upon a Time in America (1984)Mildly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally devastating · RA sprawling crime saga unfolds with melancholic grit as a gangster confronts his past in a slowly burning epic.
11. 11Taxi Driver (1976)Mildly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally devastating · RA disturbed cabbie navigates a bleak city, his measured descent into violence feeling intensely intimate.Tubi
12. 12Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)Mildly scary · strong violence · emotionally heavy · relentless · PG-13A relentless, epic adventure unfolds as Peter Parker faces impossible choices with witty humor and a bittersweet heart.Disney+ · Starz
13. 13Soul (2020)No gore · emotionally heavy · measured · PGA jazz musician's soul journeys through a whimsical, intimate world to find his way back to life.Disney+
14. 14Marvel's Daredevil (2015) · seriesMildly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally heavy · TV-MAA blind lawyer fights crime with heightened senses, navigating a gritty, suspenseful, and darkly-comic Hell's Kitchen.Disney+ · Hulu
15. 15Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013) · seriesNo gore · brisk · TV-14Whimsical detectives solve crimes with wholesome humor and earnest charm in a brisk New York precinct.Netflix · Peacock
16. 16Black Swan (2010)Properly scary · light gore · emotionally devastating · measured · RA ballerina's pursuit of perfection unravels her mind in a bleak and darkly comic descent.
17. 17The Punisher: One Last Kill (2026)Mildly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally heavy · RA relentless, gritty crime drama sees Frank Castle pulled back into the pulpy world of violent justice.Disney+
18. 18The Apartment (1960)No gore · emotionally heavy · measuredA lonely clerk navigates corporate climbing and romantic melancholy through a darkly comedic New York.Kanopy · YouTube (free) · Tubi
19. 19North by Northwest (1959)Mildly scary · brisk · GA Madison Avenue ad man is mistaken for a spy, launching a brisk, pulpy cross-country chase.Plex · Tubi
20. 20The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)No gore · emotionally heavy · measured · PG-13A man ages in reverse through a whimsical, melancholic life, finding bittersweet romance along the way.Kanopy · Hoopla
21. 21Seinfeld (1989) · seriesNo gore · measured · TV-PGFour friends navigate 90s New York City, finding witty and absurd humor in the satirical everyday.Netflix
22. 22Succession (2018) · seriesNo gore · emotionally devastating · measured · TV-MAA powerful family's darkly-comic squabbles over a media empire reveal a bleak, gritty world.Max88
23. 23You (2018) · seriesProperly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · TV-MAA charming stalker's dark obsessions unfold with brisk, darkly-comic suspense and pulpy grit.Netflix
24. 24Little Women (2019)No gore · emotionally heavy · measured · PGFour earnest sisters navigate love and loss while coming of age in Civil War-era America.Hulu
25. 25The Fifth Element (1997)Mildly scary · light gore · strong violence · relentless · PG-13A whimsical taxi driver races to save humanity with a mysterious woman, amidst relentless, pulpy, high-octane action.Netflix · AMC+
26. 26Spider-Man (2002)Mildly scary · strong violence · brisk · PG-13A nerdy high schooler gains amazing powers, becoming a wholesome hero in an epic, heartwarming adventure.Disney+ · Hulu
27. 27Raging Bull (1980)Graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally devastating · measured · RA boxer's inner demons and explosive rage destroy his life as he fights his way to the top.Prime Video · Kanopy · Hoopla
28. 28John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)Graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally heavy · relentless · RA relentless assassin battles powerful global enemies, turning old friends into foes in his epic fight for freedom.
29. 29Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)Mildly scary · strong violence · brisk · PG-13A high schooler balances everyday life and superheroics with witty charm and brisk, wholesome adventure.Netflix · Disney+
30. 30Marriage Story (2019)No gore · emotionally devastating · measured · RAn intimate, earnest drama explores the melancholy and grueling extremes of a coast-to-coast divorce.Netflix
31. 31Gossip Girl (2007) · seriesNo gore · brisk · TV-14Privileged Manhattan teens navigate love and scandal under the watchful eye of an anonymous, all-knowing blogger.Netflix · Max
32. 32Person of Interest (2011) · seriesMildly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · TV-14A reclusive genius and a presumed-dead operative use surveillance tech to prevent violent crimes in a gritty city.Prime Video · Peacock
33. 33White Collar (2009) · seriesNo gore · brisk · TV-PGA charming con artist and an FBI agent form an unlikely alliance, catching criminals with witty banter and brisk capers.Hulu · The Roku Channel
34. 34Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)Mildly scary · measured · PG-13A whimsical adventure unfolds as magical creatures escape, straining relations between wizarding authorities and the non-magical world.Max · Peacock
35. 35Dexter: Resurrection (2025) · seriesMildly scary · graphic gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · TV-MAA measured, gritty search for a lost son in New York City becomes a darkly comic, suspenseful chase.Paramount+
36. 36Dog Day Afternoon (1975)Mildly scary · strong violence · emotionally devastating · relentless · RA desperate bank robbery becomes a media spectacle as a man's true motives are slowly revealed.Hoopla · YouTube (free)
37. 37Spider-Noir (2026) · seriesMildly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · TV-14An aging 1930s New York private eye grapples with his past as the city's only superhero.Prime Video
38. 38The Devil Wears Prada (2006)No gore · measured · PG-13A young writer navigates the cutthroat world of high fashion with witty humor and a measured, satirical eye.Disney+ · Hulu
39. 39Rosemary's Baby (1968)Properly scary · emotionally devastating · a slow burn · RA young woman's dream of starting a family curdles into a chilling, slow-burn nightmare of urban dread.Paramount+ · Kanopy
40. 40Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)No gore · emotionally heavy · brisk · RA washed-up superhero actor chases artistic validation on Broadway in a darkly comic, surreal, and brisk drama.Max
41. 41Ghostbusters (1984)Mildly scary · brisk · PGDisgraced parapsychologists launch a ghost-busting business, battling a world-ending supernatural threat with witty, broad humor.Netflix
42. 42Now You See Me (2013)No gore · brisk · PG-13Magicians rob banks on stage, dazzling audiences while outwitting detectives in a pulpy, high-octane chase.Prime Video · Starz
43. 43Scent of a Woman (1992)No gore · emotionally heavy · measured · RA lonely, blind colonel and a young man form an unlikely bond during a poignant Thanksgiving weekend.
44. 44American Psycho (2000)Properly scary · extreme gore · brutal violence · emotionally heavy · RA wealthy executive's meticulously crafted facade cracks as his gratuitous fantasies escalate into bleak, satirical horror.Prime Video · Hulu · The Roku Channel
45. 45Spider-Man 2 (2004)Mildly scary · strong violence · emotionally heavy · brisk · PG-13A hero's intimate struggle with identity and love unfolds amidst epic, briskly paced, wholesome adventure.Disney+ · Hulu
46. 46John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019)Graphic gore · brutal violence · relentless · RA relentless, high-octane thriller unfolds as a super-assassin navigates a world of betrayal and dark satire.
47. 47Hawkeye (2021) · seriesNo gore · brisk · TV-14A wry archer and his aspiring protégé battle a shadowy past to save Christmas with brisk, wholesome wit.Disney+
48. 48Castle (2009) · seriesNo gore · measured · TV-14A charming crime novelist brings his whimsical humor to solving murders with a measured, witty detective.Prime Video · Hulu · The Roku Channel
49. 49Carlito's Way (1993)Light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · measured · RAn ex-con's measured return to the gritty New York underworld becomes a melancholy, suspenseful, and pulpy struggle.Prime Video · Starz
50. 50American Gangster (2007)Light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · measured · RA ruthless kingpin builds an empire on heroin, while a determined detective hunts him through a gritty, atmospheric city.AMC+ · MGM+ · Starz
51. 51Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012) · seriesNo gore · brisk · TV-Y7Four ninja turtles emerge from the sewers, battling new enemies with brisk, broad, and wholesome humor.Netflix · Paramount+
52. 52When They See Us (2019) · seriesMildly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally devastating · TV-MAFive Harlem teens endure a bleak, suspenseful nightmare after a wrongful accusation, their earnest fight for justice measured.Netflix
53. 53Annie Hall (1977)No gore · measured · PGA neurotic comedian and a free-spirited singer navigate the witty, melancholic, and absurd landscape of modern romance.Hoopla · The Roku Channel · Fandango at Home (free)
54. 54The Nanny (1993) · seriesNo gore · measured · TV-PGA sweet, sassy nanny brings wholesome, broad humor and feel-good whimsy to a sophisticated household.Prime Video · Hulu
55. 55I Am Legend (2007)Properly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally devastating · PG-13A solitary scientist navigates a desolate, infected city, desperately seeking human connection amidst constant peril.
56. 56Eyes Wide Shut (1999)Mildly scary · emotionally heavy · measured · RA doctor's marital crisis leads him into a surreal, intimate, and suspenseful night of discovery.Max
57. 57Girl Meets World (2014) · seriesNo gore · measured · TV-GRiley and Maya navigate middle school with heartwarming, wholesome humor and earnest, whimsical adventures.Disney+
58. 58The Devil's Advocate (1997)Mildly scary · light gore · emotionally heavy · measured · RAn ambitious lawyer's new job in New York quickly becomes a darkly-comic, suspenseful descent into something evil.
59. 59The Terminal (2004)No gore · emotionally heavy · measured · PG-13A stranded traveler finds whimsical ways to make an airport home, navigating new friendships and quiet melancholy.Paramount+ · Kanopy · Hoopla
60. 60Men in Black (1997)Mildly scary · brisk · PG-13A secret agency polices alien activity on Earth, balancing witty banter with campy sci-fi action.AMC+ · Tubi
61. 61Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026)Mildly scary · strong violence · emotionally heavy · relentless · PG-13Peter Parker faces relentless, high-octane action and an invisible threat while grappling with a world that forgot him.
62. 62Everybody Hates Chris (2005) · seriesNo gore · measured · TV-PGA teenager navigates 1980s Brooklyn with wholesome humor and earnest wit, finding his place in a new world.Prime Video · Hulu · Paramount+
63. 63The King of Comedy (1982)No gore · emotionally heavy · measured · PGAn aspiring comic's relentless stalking of his idol becomes a darkly comic and cerebral satire of fame.Plex
64. 64POSE (2018) · seriesNo gore · emotionally devastating · measured · TV-MANew York City's 1980s ball culture pulses with intimate, gritty drama and uplifting, measured dance.Hulu
65. 65Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)No gore · measured · NRA whimsical New York socialite with a mysterious past finds unexpected romance in her apartment building.MGM+
66. 66The Night Of (2016) · seriesMildly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally devastating · TV-MAA young man's night of passion becomes a bleak, suspenseful descent into a gritty murder mystery.Max
67. 67A Quiet Place Part II (2021)Properly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · PG-13The fight for survival against sound-hunting creatures becomes a gritty, relentless gauntlet in the outside world.Netflix · Paramount+
68. 68Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)Mildly scary · light gore · strong violence · brisk · PG-13A sickly man transforms into a super-soldier, battling a ruthless foe for world domination in an uplifting, brisk adventure.Disney+
69. 69The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017) · seriesNo gore · brisk · TV-MAA 1950s Manhattan housewife discovers a sharp comedic talent, navigating a whimsical world with brisk, witty charm.Prime Video
70. 70Rise of the Guardians (2012)Mildly scary · brisk · PGImmortal guardians unite in a brisk, wholesome, and epic adventure to protect the world's children.YouTube (free)
71. 71Sleepers (1996)Mildly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally devastating · RFour friends carry a dark secret from a youth prison, seeking pulpy, bleak revenge years later.Tubi
72. 72Dexter: New Blood (2021) · seriesMildly scary · graphic gore · strong violence · emotionally devastating · TV-MAA decade later, a familiar darkness resurfaces in a snowy town, bringing gritty, darkly comic suspense.Paramount+ · Prime Video · The Roku Channel
73. 73The Godfather Part III (1990)Graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally devastating · measured · RAn aging don seeks redemption and legitimacy amidst a world of crime, with melancholy and suspense building to a tragic end.MGM+
74. 74Donnie Brasco (1997)Light gore · strong violence · emotionally devastating · measured · RAn FBI agent's undercover life with the mob slowly erodes his identity, leading to a melancholy, gritty immersion.Netflix
75. 75Limitless (2011)Mildly scary · brisk · PG-13A mysterious drug unlocks a writer's full potential, thrusting him into a brisk, high-octane thriller.
76. 76Network (1976)Light gore · emotionally devastating · measured · RAn aging anchorman's on-air meltdown becomes a ratings sensation, exposing the bleak heart of television.
77. 77Inside Man (2006)Mildly scary · emotionally heavy · measured · RA cerebral game of cat-and-mouse unfolds during a bank heist, with a detective battling internal and external demons.Netflix
78. 78Do the Right Thing (1989)No gore · strong violence · emotionally devastating · measured · RRacial tensions simmer and explode on a hot summer day in Brooklyn, forcing a community to confront its boiling prejudices.YouTube (free)
79. 79Manhattan (1979)No gore · emotionally heavy · measured · RA witty writer navigates messy relationships and finds melancholy romance in the city of dreams.Hoopla · The Roku Channel · YouTube (free)
80. 80The Warriors (1979)Mildly scary · light gore · brutal violence · emotionally heavy · RA Coney Island gang fights for survival on a gritty, relentless journey through a hostile city.
81. 81Past Lives (2023)No gore · emotionally heavy · measured · PG-13Childhood sweethearts reconnect across continents, exploring destiny and the melancholy echoes of what might have been.
82. 82Carol (2015)No gore · emotionally heavy · measured · RA department store clerk in 1950s New York finds intimate, melancholic romance with an older, married woman.Kanopy · Hoopla · Tubi
83. 83Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995)Mildly scary · light gore · brutal violence · relentless · RA relentless game of cat and mouse unfolds across New York City, driven by witty banter and explosive action.
84. 84When Harry Met Sally... (1989)No gore · measured · RA witty and wholesome romance unfolds as two friends navigate the messy line between platonic and passionate love.91
85. 85Upload (2020) · seriesNo gore · measured · TV-MAA party-boy coder finds love and purpose in a whimsical digital afterlife, guided by his earnest customer service rep.Prime Video · Hulu
86. 86Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)No gore · emotionally devastating · measured · PGA father and son navigate the intimate, earnest, and often melancholy landscape of a new family life.
87. 87Sully (2016)Mildly scary · emotionally heavy · measured · PG-13A pilot's heroic water landing becomes a gritty, intimate fight for his reputation and career.
88. 88The Proposal (2009)No gore · measured · PG-13A demanding editor fakes an engagement with her assistant, sparking unexpected romance and witty, broad humor.
89. 89Disclosure Day (2026)Mildly scary · measured · PG-13A whistleblower and a meteorologist uncover chilling alien secrets, running from a powerful corporation to expose the truth.
90. 90As Good as It Gets (1997)No gore · emotionally heavy · measured · PG-13A misanthropic author, a single mother, and a gay artist forge an unlikely, heartwarming friendship.
91. 91The Intern (2015)No gore · measured · PG-13A 70-year-old widower finds whimsical new purpose as an intern at a bustling online fashion startup.
92. 92tick, tick... BOOM! (2021)No gore · emotionally heavy · measured · PG-13A composer on the cusp of 30 navigates love and friendship while chasing a dream against time.Netflix
93. 93Lord of War (2005)Mildly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally heavy · RAn arms dealer navigates deadly war zones, outwitting rivals and dictators with darkly comic grit.Kanopy · Hoopla · The Roku Channel
94. 94FBI (2018) · seriesMildly scary · light gore · strong violence · brisk · TV-14Elite New York FBI agents deploy intellect and grit to tackle major cases, keeping the city safe.Paramount+
95. 95Jessie (2011) · seriesNo gore · measured · TV-GA wholesome Texas teen navigates the whimsical chaos of New York City as a high-profile family's new nanny.Disney+
96. 96Malcolm X (1992)Light gore · strong violence · emotionally devastating · measured · PG-13An earnest, epic drama chronicles a controversial activist's journey from incarceration to a legacy of pride.Starz · YouTube (free)
97. 97Okja (2017)Mildly scary · graphic gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · PG-13A young girl's earnest fight to save her whimsical, massive best friend becomes a suspenseful, dark satire.Netflix
98. 98The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)Mildly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · PG-13A brisk adventure follows a high schooler's quest to understand his past, leading to a powerful corporation.Disney+
99. 99Evil (2019) · seriesProperly scary · light gore · emotionally heavy · measured · TV-MAA skeptical psychologist, a priest, and a tech expert investigate chilling supernatural phenomena with measured dread.Paramount+
100. 100Elementary (2012) · seriesLight gore · measured · TV-14An eccentric detective and his sober companion solve impossible cases in a gritty, suspenseful Manhattan.Prime Video · Hulu · The Roku Channel

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