What I wrote thereFold it away
There’s a quiet power to Columbia University, tucked into the northern edge of Manhattan, that makes it an irresistible setting for filmmakers. Whether it’s the steps of Low Library in Ghostbusters or the lecture halls in The Mirror Has Two Faces, Columbia has long doubled as the intellectual heart of countless NYC movies. I’ve wandered its campus many times, and it always feels a little like I’m stepping into a scene.
The first time I visited, I sat on the library steps and looked out over College Walk, imagining Peter Parker hurrying to class in Spider-Man or Julia Roberts navigating campus life in Mona Lisa Smile. The leafy courtyards, stately architecture, and iconic Alma Mater statue give Columbia a cinematic elegance that’s both inspiring and nostalgic. For fans of iconic NYC filming locations, it’s an underrated gem. You don’t have to be a student to appreciate the atmosphere — it’s open to the public and steeped in film history. I recommend visiting on a crisp fall day. The movie vibes are strongest then.
Movies Filmed at Columbia University.
- The Detective (1968)
- Altered State (1980)
- Ghostbusters (1984)
- Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
- Malcolm X (1992)
- Spider-Man (2002)
- Hitch (2005)