Skyscrapers in Film

Skyscrapers provoke a unique sense of strength, security and isolation that is hard to capture in any other form of architecture.  In films, skyscrapers often symbolize money or authority.

These mammoth structures provide the perfect setting for a dramatic urban film.  They can provide an arena for hostage scenes, heists, and natural disasters such as fires or earthquakes.  As a symbol of strength, Skyscrapers are often destroyed in films trying to show the power of nature or an outside force.  As a film cliché, older movies often start off showing the outside of a skyscraper with a voice-over, proceeding into an office of a corporate giant or crime boss.

Skyscraper Appearance in Movies

Here is a list of major international films that feature some of the world’s most renowned skyscrapers.

• Empire State Building –

Eponymous Movie (1933) - Climbed by the famous ape, King Kong
Independence Day (1996) – Destroyed by an Alien Ship

James and the Giant Peach – Made an appearance
Sleepless in Seattle – Prominently Featured

• World Trade Center –

King Kong (remake, 1976) – Climbed by King Kong
Meteor (1979) – Collapsed after being hit by a meteor
Read or Die (2001) – Leaped onto from a injured helicopter
Escape from New York (1981) – Used as a makeshift runway

Armageddon (1998) – Damaged by a Meteor

Deep Impact – Severely damaged by a large ocean wave

Munich (2005) – Featured in the skyline of New York during the last few Minutes
Godspell (1973) – Prominently Featured

World Trade Center – Digitally recreated for movie scenes

• US Bank Tower –

Independence Day (1996) – First building destroyed by the aliens

The Day after Tomorrow – Destroyed by a massive F-5 tornado

• Petronas Towers –

Entrapment (1999) – Setting for a heist

• Jin Mao Tower –

Code 46 (2003) – Featured

• Two International Finance Centre –

Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003) – Featured

• Rialto Tower –

Ghost Rider (2007) – The Ghost rider is seen riding vertically up the tower to escape police.