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Movies Filmed in Chinatown and Little Italy, NYC

Chinatown and Little Italy are two unique and historical neighborhoods in New York City so it is no surprise to see either as popular filming locations. It is always a lot of fun to visit some of the iconic locations you see in your favorite films so from classic mobster flicks to superhero blockbusters, here is a list of movies filmed in Chinatown and Little Italy. Learn more and book our Little Italy Food Tour today!

The Godfather Trilogy
“Leave the gun, take the cannoli.” The Godfather Trilogy is an absolute American crime classic and it left a huge impact on pop culture. The trilogy has several scenes in Little Italy and what is now Chinatown. Some places of note include the interior of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral (263 Mulberry St), 128 Mott Street (now the New York Mart) and 135-137 Mott Street. Of the three movies, Godfather 2 is filmed the most in Little Italy.

Mean Streets
Little Italy also serves as the backdrop in the movie Mean Streets, directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Harvey Keitel and Robert De Niro. In particular, the St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral’s walled graveyard is the location of the one of the scenes in the movie.

Big Daddy
Big Daddy is an Adam Sandler comedy where he adopts a son (for selfish reasons) and all sorts of hijinks ensue. Puglia (189 Hester St), a quirky restaurant in Little Italy, was a Big Daddy film location in New York City that you can visit.

Donnie Brasco
Donnie Brasco is another American crime film that takes place in New York City and filmed in Little Italy. What is now known as the Mulberry Street Bar (176 Mulberry St) sets the mood in the film in one of the more climatic scenes. Other locations of note from the movie nearby include Kenmare Street (between Mulberry Street and Mott Street) and Katz’s Delicatessen (205 E Houston St).

PS I Love You
PS I Love You is a romantic drama and it centers around a couple living in the Lower East Side. Their apartment is on Broome Street and Orchard Street and there are a few shots of Chinatown including Rutgers Street and East Broadway.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2
Peter Parker aka Spider-Man lives in Manhattan and The Amazing Spider-Man 2 was filmed all over New York City, including Doyers St and our favorite dim sum restaurant, the Nom Wah Tea Parlor (13 Doyers St).

Doyers Street Heart of Chinatown

In addition, there are countless TV shows like Law & Order, Blue Bloods and most recently Gotham filmed in Chinatown and Little Italy.