Coney Island has been a popular filming location for many filmmakers (and musicians) over the years, thanks to its unique charm, vibrant atmosphere and hint at the golden age of Americana. They used footage from the area in their movies and music videos, but not only them; fashion and street photographers are also known to make Coney Island the setting of their photoshoots. Brighton Beach, always closely tied to Coney Island, got its own unique characteristics from the Russian-speaking communities that settled there over the years, making it known as ‘Little Odessa’ among other nicknames.
Earlier this year, we discussed the use of local aesthetics in some video games. Now, let’s explore some of the most renowned movies and music videos that have featured this iconic location as a backdrop:
Movies Featuring Coney Island & Brighton Beach 📽️
The Warriors (1979)
Walter Hill was the director of this cult classic film. The main actors in the film include Michael Beck, James Remar, and Deborah Van Valkenburgh. “The Warriors” is a thrilling tale about a New York City street gang that is wrongly accused of murder. They must fight their way from one end of the city to their home turf in Coney Island to evade rival gangs and the police.
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Directed by Darren Aronofsky, depicts the lives of four Coney Island locals spiraling into drug addiction. Sara Goldfarb (Burstyn), obsessed with a TV glamorized life, her son Harry (Leto), lost in drug-induced dreams, Tyrone (Wayans), and Harry’s girlfriend Marion (Connelly) together tell a tale of escalating drug dependence. Aronofsky cleverly juxtaposes Coney Island’s joyous imagery with the characters’ deteriorating hopes, using individualized locations to highlight the characters’ despair. This movie is adapted from a novel by Brooklyn native, Hubert Selby Jr., author of “Last Exit to Brooklyn”.
The Wiz (1978)
A popular American reimagining of “The Wizard of Oz”, tells an under-told New York story. Diana Ross’s character Dorothy, a disheartened Harlem teacher, conceals a hidden Brooklyn secret – her stated address is actually in Brooklyn, not Harlem. City rivalries seem unimportant when Dorothy, Scarecrow (portrayed by Michael Jackson), and Tin Man (Nipsey Russell), end up in Coney Island, not Kansas. Tin Man’s memorable entrance is set under Coney Island’s iconic Cyclone Roller Coaster. This contributes to the profound New York essence of “The Wiz” and cements Coney Island as a celebrated movie setting.
Men in Black 3 (2012)
The third of the sci-fi comedy series featuring Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, and Josh Brolin, revolves around a time-travel plot. The storyline includes an alien criminal trying to change history by killing a young Agent K (Josh Brolin) and Agent J’s (Will Smith) journey back in time to rescue him. This cosmic battle culminates not on an alien planet, but Coney Island, specifically at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park and the Wonder Wheel itself. During the 2011 shoot, groups observed the recreation of the 1969 Coney Island, showcasing the amusement park’s versatility, even as a battlefield for a space-time conflict.
Beaches (1988)
In this classic movie, child performer CC Bloom (Bette Midler) and wealthy Hillary (Barbara Hershey) initially meet as kids in an Atlantic City holiday resort—actually filmed in Coney Island. The film charts their friendship evolution within New York City’s bustle, with romantic rivalries and career fluctuations impacting them. Coney Island’s scenes enhance their lasting bond’s narrative, which withstands various challenges. Lanie Kazan, adds a local Brooklyn flavor by playing Midler’s persistent stage mother. The film not only elicits a emotional response but also curiosity about its diverse Brooklyn filming locations.
He Got Game (1998)
Spike Lee’s sports drama, “He Got Game”, portrays Coney Island as a battleground for a rugged family game of aspirations. Incarcerated Jake Shuttlesworth (Denzel Washington), hopes for a reduced sentence by persuading his star-athlete son Jesus (Ray Allen) to commit to the governor’s favored college. However, their relationship is strained from past tragedies. The film enhances the setting, not just as a locale, but the stage for Jesus’ dreams, passion for basketball, and his complex fate.”
Brighton Beach Memoirs (1986)
“Brighton Beach Memoirs” vividly displays 1930s Brooklyn through the perspective of Eugene, a lively Jewish teenager navigating puberty and his tight-knit family dynamics. Amid sexual fantasies and the harsh realities of the Great Depression, his emotional journey is expertly portrayed in this film directed by Gene Saks and featuring outstanding performances by Blythe Danner, Jonathan Silverman, and Judith Ivey. Set in Brighton Beach and the famous Coney Island Boardwalk, the movie tells Neil Simon’s semi-autobiographical tale. Eugene’s life, filled with alternating highs and lows, is depicted against the vivid backdrop of these settings.
Two Weeks Notice (2002)
Sandwiched in the intersection of love, agitation, and real estate drama, “Two Weeks Notice” takes an exceptional dip into Coney Island’s charismatic presence. The film revolves around Lucy Kelson (Sandra Bullock), a devoted lawyer and activist striving to preserve her historic neighborhood. Lucy serves as legal counsel for George Wade (Hugh Grant), her corporate adversary, aiming to save a community center close to her childhood home. Discovering the job requires more nurturing than litigation, she resigns. However, choosing her successor reveals her hidden love for George, creating personal and professional turmoil. The movie, originally slated for Toronto, stayed authentic to its New York ethos at Sandra Bullock’s insistence. The community center is actuality the historic Childs Restaurant Building, reflecting the city’s charisma on film.
“The Lords of Flatbush” (1974)
This movie effectively depicts the struggles of Brooklyn teens in the vibrant Coney Island context. Set in the rough Lords gang’s Flatbush neighborhood, Chico, Stanley, Butchey, and Wimpy are hot rod-loving, leather-wearing roughnecks settled on violence as dispute resolution. Stanley’s impending forced marriage demonstrates youthful innocence, while Chico finds himself attracted to newcomer Jane, after a fling with Annie. Shot at Abraham Lincoln High School and other Coney Island sites, the film captures their evolving lives. This film captures the charm of Coney Island and the universal themes of love, brotherhood, and coming-of-age issues.
These cinematic representations do more than merely depict Coney Island and Brighton Beach in an array of perspectives, they range from presenting a dynamic amusement park to a landscape of fractured aspirations. Simultaneously, they also exemplify the multi-faceted genres of movies that have their roots in this emblematic corner of New York City. Each film encapsulates unique elements of this area, leaving spectators with a lasting impression of its rich, multifaceted character.
