Escape From New York is a post-apocalyptic science-fiction movie that is considered one of the best in its genre. The action in the film takes place in the burned down, ruined New York City, where the formerly luxurious Manhattan Island has turned into a maximum-security prison. The filming took place in East St. Louis which was damaged after the 1976 fire. In order to make it look like New York though, a lot of miniatures and mockups of actual New York buildings were created for the movie.