From iconic movie chase scenes to viral internet memes, the NYC subway has shaped popular culture for over a century. Explore how the world's busiest transit system became a cultural phenomenon.
Movies
Oscar-winning film featuring the famous subway chase scene at Bay Ridge Avenue station.
TV Shows
Classic episode where each character takes a different subway journey across NYC.
Music
Jazz standard celebrating the A train to Harlem, NYC's unofficial subway anthem.
Art
Over 300 permanent artworks in subway stations, transforming daily commutes into gallery visits.
Memes
2015 viral video of rat dragging pizza slice down subway stairs, became global internet sensation.
Movies
Oscar-winning film featuring the famous subway chase scene at Bay Ridge Avenue station.
Movies
Epic train fight sequence filmed on the R train and elevated tracks in Queens.
Movies
Action thriller set entirely within the NYC subway system starring Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson.
TV Shows
Classic episode where each character takes a different subway journey across NYC.
The NYC subway has been the backdrop for countless memorable film and TV moments. From high-octane chase scenes to intimate character moments, the subway's unique atmosphere has made it a favorite location for storytellers worldwide.
Music
Jazz standard celebrating the A train to Harlem, NYC's unofficial subway anthem.
Music
Melancholic ballad about late-night subway rides through NYC.
Music
Latin soul classic about a subway musician playing for tips.
Music and the subway have been intertwined since Duke Ellington's "Take the 'A' Train" became an unofficial anthem. Street performers, subway musicians, and countless songs celebrating or lamenting subway life have created a rich musical heritage.
Art
Over 300 permanent artworks in subway stations, transforming daily commutes into gallery visits.
Photography
Iconic 1938-41 hidden camera photographs of subway passengers, capturing authentic NYC life.
Art
1970s-80s underground art movement that turned subway trains into moving canvases.
From the MTA's Arts & Design program transforming stations into galleries, to the underground graffiti movement of the 1970s-80s, the subway has been both canvas and subject for countless artists and photographers documenting urban life.
Memes
2015 viral video of rat dragging pizza slice down subway stairs, became global internet sensation.
Memes
Viral videos of acrobatic subway car performers, spawning countless TikTok recreations.
Social Media
2014 social media campaign about subway etiquette that went global.
The digital age has transformed subway culture, with viral moments like Pizza Rat becoming global phenomena. Social media has amplified both the quirky and serious aspects of subway life, creating new forms of urban folklore.
Duke Ellington's 'Take the A Train' becomes subway anthem
Graffiti culture transforms trains into moving art galleries
Hollywood discovers the subway: Money Train, French Connection
Spider-Man brings superhero action to the rails
Social media era: Showtime dancers and viral moments
TikTok culture and pandemic-era subway stories
Have a favorite subway movie scene, song, or viral moment? Help us build the most comprehensive archive of NYC subway culture by sharing your discoveries.