As 'Scene' On Screen: 10 Movies and TV Shows That Feature Washington Square Park

10 Movies and TV Shows That Put Washington Square Park on Screen

You may know Washington Square Park as one of New York City’s most beloved public spaces, but did you know you’ve also seen it on the big screen?

From classic rom-coms to paranormal adventures, Washington Square Park has played a starring role in many memorable New York moments.

Here are a few times Washington Square Park appeared on screen.

1. Glee “New York” (Season 2 Finale)

This one’s for the Gleeks!

In the Season 2 finale of Glee, the New Directions head to New York City for Nationals, and Washington Square Park makes an appearance as a part of a celebratory New York City anthem scene.

Filmed on location at several city landmarks including the Washington Square Park Arch, this episode is packed with everything you would expect from a Glee trip to the city: big dreams, big performances, and plenty of iconic New York scenery. And what better place to celebrate the city than Washington Square Park?

2. Big Daddy (1999)

Put on your sunglasses and get ready to blend in.

In Big Daddy, Adam Sandler’s character Sonny takes his adoptive son Julian around New York City, taking him to relax in Washington Square Park. The busy pathways, historic arch, and unmistakable New York character, are on full display in these scenes.

What do we recommend? Grab a local snack, find a bench, and enjoy being invisible in Washington Square Park just like they did.

3. When Harry Met Sally... (1989)

Well, what a nice life they had.

Before dating apps, there was When Harry Met Sally, one of the world's most beloved romantic comedies.

Washington Square Park is a key part to Harry and Sally’s story, an unmistakable backdrop for this classic New York film. It’s where they arrive together in New York, and later on, where a nighttime walk under the Washington Square Arch brings up feelings.

The park has been a meeting place for New Yorkers for generations, so it feels especially fitting that it would have a supporting role in a movie all about finding your way through the city.

4. Ghostbusters II (1989)

Who ya gonna call?

In Ghostbusters II, the paranormal investigators race through iconic NYC landmarks as they work to save the city from chaotic spirits and slime. Washington Square Park makes an appearance with the Arch haunted by an enormous ghost.

If you ever find yourself walking through Washington Square Park and feel like something supernatural is going on... now you know who to call.

5. The Life List (2025)

A bucket list, a little romance, and a familiar park.

Netflix’s The Life List brings Washington Square Park into the story as Alex Rose works her way through a list of life goals left behind by her mother. With the Arch and Greenwich Village in the background, Washington Square Park gets a starring moment in this romantic comedy.

6. Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993)

The chess tables are ready for their close-up.

If you know Washington Square Park, you know the chess tables are a destination all their own. Searching for Bobby Fischer captures a piece of that chess culture, following young chess prodigy Josh Waitzkin as he navigates the competitive world of the game. Washington Square Park provides an especially fitting backdrop for a story rooted in the park’s legendary chess scene.

Have you played chess in Washington Square Park?

7. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Midge Maisel meets Washington Square Park.

Set in 1950s New York, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel takes viewers all over the city, including Washington Square Park. The park appears in Season 1 when Midge wanders into a historical protest, giving viewers a glimpse of the park while capturing the energy and character of Greenwich Village during the era.

8. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (2010)

Magic in Washington Square Park?

Washington Square Park gets another supernatural makeover in The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. The film follows a modern-day sorcerer-in-training as he learns to control his powers while protecting New York City from dark magic. Some of that magic was shot and captured on location at Washington Square Park!

9. Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

If you didn’t know, Washington Square Park was the heart of folk music in the late 50s and early 60s. Anyone who was anyone was playing in the park and around the neighborhood.

In the period film, Inside Llewyn Davis, the titular folk singer is looking for his big break, and there’s no better place to break into the folk scene back in the day than Greenwich Village. While Llewyn Davis is a fictional character, the story and events that occurred during this iconic era of New York City. Among the likes of Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, we think Llewyn Davis fits right in at the park in the 60s.

10. Broad City

They say to make it in the city, you’ve got to take up some odd jobs.

In a Season 5 episode of Broad City, Abbi and Ilana visit Washington Square Park as part of a bucket list, attempting to check off items before Abbi potentially leaves the city. The duo stop to play “Heart and Soul” on a public piano. True to the park experience, you're almost guaranteed to hear some form of music when walking through.

Have You Scene Washington Square Park on Screen?

Between musical numbers, inspirational stories, and ghost-busting adventures, Washington Square Park has been a staple of New York’s cinematic story for decades.

The next time you’re watching a movie set in New York, keep an eye out. You never know when a familiar corner, pathway, or landmark might make an appearance.

Have you spotted Washington Square Park in a movie or TV show? Let us know which one is your favorite!