New York Cityâ€™s Central Park

by MovieMaker Staff | Published September 25, 2006

When Harry Met Sally is one of many films that features New York’s Central Park.

Although it might not be as idyllic as the movies would have you believe, Manhattan’s Central Park has always served as the cinematic symbol of an oasis in the middle of a chaotic city. Whether it’s Max Bialystock taking Leo Bloom for an afternoon stroll in the original The Producers or Woody Allen and Diane Keaton people-watching in Annie Hall, Central Park’s greenery has served as the backdrop for some of New York City’s most iconic movie moments. Allen, the quintessential New Yorker, has featured the Park in most of his New-York based films including Crimes and Misdemeanors and, of course, Manhattan.The 843-acre stretch of land (that’s six percent of the city’s total acreage) has also shown up in modern classics such as Arthur, Ghostbusters, Hair and Marathon Man. With a reservoir, hiking trails, bike paths and the luxurious Tavern on the Green restaurant, the Park offers a variety of settings for the New York-based moviemaker (though be careful to adhere to the guidelines set for filming here). Since 1908, more than 200 feature films have shot in Central Park, including:

The 25th Hour
Barefoot in the Park
Top Hat
The Manchurian Candidate (1960 and 2004)
When Harry Met Sally

For guidelines on making movies in New York’s Central Park, visit www.centralparknyc.org/media/file/FilmingGuidelines.pdf.