Empire State Building, New York City (1940) by Victor PerelliNew-York Historical Society
Perhaps no other building has had more of a cinematic impact than the Empire State Building. It might be a lot to do with timing. After all, it was designed and built in 1930-31, right as the US film industry began to boom.
However, it's not all about luck. This iconic structure captured the world's imagination like few others. And the camera still loves it! Scroll on to learn about the building's best starring roles, and play with a 3D model to appreciate its timeless design.
Empire State Building
'King Kong' - 1933
Where it all started for the Empire State on film. The building was a year or so old and the world was shocked to see incredible (for the time, of course) images of the giant ape scaling its exterior.
By Alfred EisenstaedtLIFE Photo Collection
In one of cinema's most famed moments, Kong clings to the top of the antenna and fights off attacks by plane. One of the first major global images of cinema was born, as was the building's close relationship with the industry.
Empire State Building
'Empire' - 1964
In what was the perhaps the building's most avant-garde moment, it featured in Andy Warhol's 8 hour slow motion movie that centered on an unchanging view of the building over the course of a day.
'Superman II' - 1980
In the climax of this sequel, Superman is forced to catch the falling antenna and protect the civilians below during his epic battle with three warriors from the planet Krypton. A change of gear from Warhol's work outlined above.
With such iconic good looks, it's easy to see why producers and directors have returned to the building time and again.
Empire State Building
'Independence Day' - 1994
Of course, it has not all been good news for the Empire State Building on film. 1994's Independence Day tells the story of a hostile alien invasion. A large alien craft hovers above the building and then....well, you'll have just have to watch it to see what happens.
'Sleepless in Seattle' - 1993
One of the building's other most famous roles was in this 1993 romantic classic. Ton Hanks and Meg Ryan are star-crossed lovers who eventually meet on the observation deck of the building. The movie was inspired by An Affair to Remember (1957) which also featured the building.
The studio was originally refused permission to shoot there as the building did not want to close the observation area to the public. The director Nora Ephron called in a few favours and finally gained six hours of filming time to shoot the film's heartwarming conclusion.
Descension (2017) by Kapoor, AnishPublic Art Fund
Keen to discover more?
You can learn more about some of New York City's most famous landmarks here.
