New York's busy, taxi-filled streets are the setting for so many classic love stories, which is why we're filling up our instant queue with all the best, most romantic movies based in NYC. There's Marilyn Monroe's infamous standing-over-the-sewer scene in The Seven Year Itch, Audrey Hepburn's iconic role in Breakfast at Tiffany's, plus contemporary rom-coms and plenty of cool, quirky indie films. Open Netflix or Amazon Instant, check out our picks, and get ready for a romantic, New York-inspired movie marathon.
It doesn't get much more New York than Woody Allen's rom-com Manhattan (1979). The film tells the story of a TV writer in the midst of a midlife crisis as he finds himself falling for two off-limits women.
Robert Redford and Jane Fonda star in Barefoot in the Park (1967) as a recently married couple going through the ups and downs of newlywed life at their Greenwich Village walk-up.
Nora Ephron's Heartburn (1986) is a romantic comedy with a sad side starring Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson as a married couple whose relationship begins to fall apart.
"Don't you love New York in the Fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies." And thus begins the online dating romance between Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan's characters in The Shop Around the Corner remake, You've Got Mail (1998). A classic romantic comedy, everything about this feel-good flick is New York romance — down to that tearjerker Central Park ending.
With Marilyn Monroe's classic white-dress scene, The Seven Year Itch (1955) is a must-see movie about a man who fantasizes about his beautiful neighbor while his wife is away.
New York, I Love You (2008) tells several stories of big-city love with a star-studded cast that includes Bradley Cooper, Natalie Portman, Justin Bartha, and Shia LaBeouf.
Disapproving families make for a forbidden love in David & Layla (2008) when a popular TV host falls for a beautiful dancer — then finds out she's a Muslim refugee.
Kissing Jessica Stein (2001) centers around a young woman who explores her sexuality after responding to a personal ad from another woman.
Full of the adventures and misadventures of love, Ira & Abby (2006) is an offbeat comedy about a fast-moving romance that gets complicated.
Broken English (2007) is an indie film about a single woman and the quirky Frenchman who helps her turn a corner.
Brad Pitt stars as a wannabe musician in Johnny Suede (1991). After wooing a woman with industry connections, he meets another woman who forces him to rethink his values.
Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) stars Audrey Hepburn in her iconic role as Holly Golightly, a social-climber who falls for an aspiring writer.
In The Good Guy (2009), a successful Wall Street worker trains his co-worker on how to court women, then starts to worry when his student cozies up to his girlfriend.
The Four-Faced Liar (2010) follows four 20-somethings who meet at an Irish tavern, bond over drinks, then put each other through an emotional maze.
In Happy Accidents (2000), a young woman is ready to give up on love when she meets a small-town guy who shifts her perspective. The big twist? He's a time traveler from 2470.
Fans of My Big Fat Greek Wedding will love to see the same onscreen couple in I Hate Valentine's Day (2009). The film focuses on a florist who refuses to go on more than five dates with the same man — until she meets a guy who challenges her philosophy.
A sports radio host struggles to choose between his stable fiancée and a free-spirited woman in Nice Guy Johnny (2010).
Meg Ryan stars as a Manhattan lawyer in Serious Moonlight (2009). When she finds out that her husband planned to flee to Paris with his mistress, she literally duct-tapes him and holds him hostage in their home.
The smart and funny rom-com When Harry Met Sally (1989) explored the complexities of male-female friendships. The story follows Meg Ryan's and Billy Crystal's characters over the course of their 11-year friendship as they go from not liking each other very much to happily ever after.
When Jonathan and Sara cross paths, they instantly click . . . but both are already in relationships. Ten years later, the two must make a choice. Serendipity (2001) is a meet-cute staple of the early '00s.
Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes star in Maid in Manhattan (2002), in which a wealthy politician falls for a hard-working maid. The problem is, he doesn't know her true identity.
When a young girl makes a wish to be 30 ("30, flirty, and thriving"), she gets what she wants — but at a serious price. You'll love the spark between Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo in the delightful and feel-good 13 Going on 30 (2004).
Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman have cute, comedic chemistry in The Switch (2010). Kassie (Jennifer) decides to have kids through an anonymous sperm donor . . . but is it so anonymous?
In Begin Again (2014), a singer-songwriter is discovered by a music producer. The two work together on an album recorded in places all over the Big Apple, and a transformative connection forms.