St. Patrick’s Cathedral

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is one of New York City’s most famous churches and one of the best-known examples of Neo-Gothic architecture in the United States. Located on Fifth Avenue in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, directly across from Rockefeller Center, the cathedral stands out with its pointed arches, tall spires, grand bronze doors, and richly detailed stone façade. It was designed by architect James Renwick Jr. and opened in the 19th century, becoming both a major Catholic landmark and one of the city’s most recognisable religious buildings. Despite being surrounded by skyscrapers, St. Patrick’s has kept its dramatic and almost old-world presence, making it feel like a striking piece of another era in the middle of modern Manhattan.

In Batteries Not Included, St. Patrick’s Cathedral appears in the background during the sequence that moves through Midtown Manhattan. The church can be seen near the corner of Fifth Avenue and West 50th Street, with the film using its side façade rather than the more familiar front entrance that most visitors recognise. This gives the scene a distinctly New York atmosphere, especially as it connects visually to nearby landmarks such as Radio City Music Hall and the route toward Times Square. Its appearance helps ground the film in a real and instantly identifiable part of Manhattan, while the cathedral’s towering Gothic architecture adds a dramatic backdrop to the characters’ nighttime journey.

Batteries Not Included (1987)

---