1996–2000
The Final Films
In the last years before September 2001, the Twin Towers kept appearing on screen — sometimes as the whole point of a shot, sometimes just part of the skyline nobody thought to look at twice. This is a reverse-chronological look at the ones we've verified, newest first.
2000
American Psycho
2000Directed by Mary Harron
The towers are visible in the distance as Patrick Bateman crosses a Manhattan street.
Highlander: Endgame
2000Directed by Douglas Aarniokoski
The towers appear among several glimpses of the New York City skyline throughout the film.
1999
Pushing Tin
1999Directed by Mike Newell
The opening credits show a jet airliner banking toward the World Trade Center on a clear day as air traffic controllers track it.
The Thomas Crown Affair
1999Directed by John McTiernan
The towers are visible in the background as a boat departs New York Harbor toward Staten Island in the film's opening sailing sequence.
1998
A Perfect Murder
1998Directed by Andrew Davis
Antz
1998Directed by Eric Darnell & Tim Johnson
A stylized version of the twin towers, positioned alongside the Empire State Building, appears as the ants get their first glimpse of the human city.
Armageddon
1998Directed by Michael Bay
Establishing shots of New York before the meteor shower include the twin towers on the skyline, part of the world the film is about to put at risk.
Babe: Pig in the City
1998Directed by George Miller
The film's fictional composite "Metropolis" skyline includes the twin towers among a mix of world landmarks, glimpsed as a plane passes near them in an establishing shot.
Deep Impact
1998Directed by Mimi Leder
Pre-disaster New York establishing shots in this apocalyptic drama include the twin towers as part of the ordinary skyline about to be upended.
Godzilla
1998Directed by Roland Emmerich
Godzilla's rampage through Manhattan is staged against a skyline that includes the twin towers, visible in multiple wide shots of the city under attack.
The Siege
1998Directed by Edward Zwick
Set in a New York under terrorist threat, the film's skyline and aerial shots of the city include the twin towers.
1997
As Good As It Gets
1997Directed by James L. Brooks
The towers appear among the film's New York City skyline shots.
Chasing Amy
1997Directed by Kevin Smith
The towers appear among the film's New York City skyline shots.
Men in Black
1997Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld
Aerial New York shots throughout this sci-fi comedy place the twin towers on the skyline as the MIB agents crisscross the city.
The Devil's Advocate
1997Directed by Taylor Hackford
The film's New York law-firm setting includes skyline views of downtown Manhattan with the towers present.
The Devil's Own
1997Directed by Alan J. Pakula
The towers are visible as Frankie McGuire first arrives in New York City.
1996
Independence Day
1996Directed by Roland Emmerich
The twin towers are visible in the New York City skyline during the film's citywide attack sequence.
Mars Attacks!
1996Directed by Tim Burton
A shot of the towers from the river serves as the film's "now we are in New York" establishing moment.