You can keep your “Annie Hall,” your “Sex and the City” flicks and your “Taxi Driver”: The most iconic New York City movie is “Ghostbusters.”
The comedy hit that propelled Bill Murray down his starry path was released 30 years ago, on June 8, 1984. It returns to theaters Aug. 29, restored and remastered, for one night only.
It has some famous scenes that use Manhattan as the backdrop, sure. But it’s also a movie that captures the spirit of the city in all its gritty but lovable ’80s glory. Murray’s wiseass Peter Venkman represents the heart of cynical New York, which bands behind a common cause as the ’busters stand up to save the city.
Here are 10 locations for scenes that will have you echoing Ernie Hudson’s Winston Zeddemore when he yells, “I love this town!” Only you don’t have to be covered in marshmallow goo when you do it.
New York Public Library
The most iconic New York moment in the film — and the one that made a movie star of the library. After opening with a shot of the Fifth Avenue branch’s marble lions, we find a ghost doing ghastly things in the reading room. The scene is so beloved, it inspired an Improv Everywhere sketch (Fun fact: former New York Post copy editor Alex Scordelis plays Egon in that prank).
Columbia University
After their library encounter, Peter, Egon (Harold Ramis) and Ray (Dan Aykroyd) get booted from their program at Columbia University, which was too shortsighted to see the practical — and lucrative — value of paranormal investigations. The movie shows them drinking booze outside Weaver Hall — which is actually Havemeyer Hall, home to science and math classes.
Hook & Ladder 8 (Ghostbusters HQ)
The blossoming ghost-hunting business sets up shop at an old firehouse building in Tribeca. Ray falls in love with it immediately. “You gotta try this pole!” he tells Venkman (and, really, who wouldn’t want to slide down a firehouse pole?).
In real life, the building at 14 N. Moore St. is still a functional firehouse. When Ramis died earlier this year, fans adorned the firehouse with loving tributes, including Twinkies, referencing one of Egon’s more standout scenes in the movie.
The NY Post front page
It’s not a place, really, but a New York institution: The Post has a cameo in a montage of the Ghostbusters’ growing fame. The headline reads: “GHOST COPS BUST CHINATOWN SPOOK.”
The Awl, culture and entertainment website, expanded on the reference last year, creating a front page so good, it’s a shame it isn’t real: “Headless horseman in topless bar.”
55 Central Park West
The creepy building looming over Central Park where Dana (Sigourney Weaver) and Louis Tully (Rick Moranis) live is all Upper West Side Manhattan bougie. It’s also creepy: In the movie, the architect designed it to be an antenna for interdimensional supernatural invaders.
The real building isn’t quite as creepy. At least it’s missing the spooky temple thing at the top.
Tavern on the Green
Chased by a demon (“OK, who brought the dog?”), Tully flees through Central Park and ends up banging on the glass of the famous restaurant, where the stuffy diners are happy to ignore him. The restaurant closed in 2009, but reopened in April. If you’re dining at the newly reopened Tavern, remember: If you see something demonic, say something.
City Hall subway entrance
Once the ghosts escape the containment unit, they start popping up everywhere, including at the old City Hall R/W (RIP W) train. It’s on Broadway, west of City Hall.
City Hall
Once the ectoplasm hits the fan, the Ghostbusters hustle into City Hall to meet with the mayor, to whom they warn of impending doom of Old Testament proportions. Or, as Venkman puts it: “Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together — mass hysteria!”
Columbus Circle
Oh, Ray. You just couldn’t keep the image of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man out of your head, and nearly doomed all of Manhattan. We first see this ’mallow monstrosity stomping his way through Columbus Circle. The old (kind of ugly) Museum of Arts and Design has since been upgraded, but the statue remains.
Lincoln Center
Venkman heads to our culture mecca to talk business — and turn on that Bill Murray charm — with Dana, a cellist. He catches her attention by skipping in front of a fountain (since refurbished).
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For a bonus tour of NYC “Ghostbusters” locations then and now, check out this video: