Action Films Set in New York

Description: Although not strictly an action film, the climax on the Empire State Building with King Kong fighting off biplanes is one of cinema's most iconic action sequences set in New York.

Fact: The film was one of the first to use stop-motion animation for its special effects, and it was remade in 1976 and

Description: This gritty cop drama follows two NYPD detectives on the trail of a massive heroin shipment from France. The film's famous car chase under the elevated train tracks is a masterclass in action filmmaking.

Fact: The car chase was filmed without permits, and the director, William Friedkin, used a real train schedule to capture the scene's authenticity.

Description: A group of armed men hijack a New York City subway train, demanding a ransom. The film's tension builds as the city's transit system becomes a battleground for wits and survival.

Fact: The film was shot on location in the New York City subway system, and the title refers to the train's departure time of 1:23 PM.

Description: While not a traditional action film, Martin Scorsese's masterpiece captures the dark underbelly of New York City through the eyes of a disturbed Vietnam vet turned taxi driver, culminating in a violent climax.

Fact: Robert De Niro improvised the famous "You talkin' to me?" line, and the film was partly inspired by Arthur Bremer's attempted assassination of George Wallace.

Description: A gang from Coney Island must fight their way back home through the dangerous streets of New York after being framed for a murder at a citywide gang meeting.

Fact: The film was inspired by the novel "The Warriors" by Sol Yurick, which itself was inspired by the ancient Greek tale "Anabasis" by Xenophon.

Description: In a dystopian future, Manhattan Island has become a maximum-security prison. Kurt Russell stars as Snake Plissken, tasked with rescuing the President from this urban jungle.

Fact: The film was shot in St. Louis, Missouri, due to New York's high filming costs, but it was set in a future version of New York City.

Description: John McClane returns to New York to stop a terrorist mastermind from detonating bombs across the city. The film features iconic scenes like the taxi chase through Harlem and the water jug puzzle at a park.

Fact: This was the first "Die Hard" movie not to take place during Christmas, and it was also the last film in the series to feature Samuel L. Jackson as Zeus Carver.

Description: Although the film is set in Mexico City, the opening scenes where John Creasy (Denzel Washington) arrives in New York are crucial for setting up his character's backstory.

Fact: The film was adapted from A.J. Quinnell's novel, and it was previously adapted into a film in 1987 starring Scott Glenn.

Description: While much of the film takes place in Gotham, its depiction is heavily inspired by New York City, especially in scenes like the stock exchange heist and the final battle.

Fact: The film used Pittsburgh, New York, and Los Angeles as filming locations to represent Gotham City.

Description: After his family is murdered, Frank Castle becomes the vigilante known as The Punisher, waging a one-man war against the mafia in New York City.

Fact: The film was shot in Tampa, Florida, but set in New York, and it was the first live-action adaptation of the Marvel Comics character.