Rooftops Revealed: 6 Iconic Rooftop Scenes in Movies

According to your average homeowner, a rooftop is there to protect you from the elements. But according to Hollywood, the rooftop is a place of action, suspense, romance, and even magic.

Consider how often rooftops are featured in movies from just about every genre. Let’s take a look at some of the films that give a rooftop a starring role.

1. “Mary Poppins” (1964)

“Mary Poppins” certainly features its fair share of thrilling musical moments. Perhaps the most thrilling is “Step in Time,” which takes place on the rooftops of London. Bert and his fellow chimney sweeps perform terrifying choreography, including jumping from roof to roof and dangling each other off the edge.

The action reaches a whole other level as the chimney sweeps dance on top of chimneys. While the dance steps are truly impressive, the scene just wouldn’t be the same without its stunning rooftop location.

2. “Fiddler on the Roof” (1971)

Along with serving as the movie’s namesake, the fiddler on the roof serves as the symbol of Tevye and his family. At the beginning of the movie, a

fiddler plays a beautiful, mournful tune from the rooftop, setting the mood for the rest of the story.

As we watch Tevye and his family deal with a variety of challenges-from poverty to displacement-we can’t help but think of the fiddler. Like Tevye’s family, the fiddler is precariously balanced on top of the roof, trying to play a pleasant tune without falling over the edge.

3. “Aladdin” (1992)

A rooftop both starts and ends the magical scene where Aladdin and Jasmine fly above Arabia on a magic carpet. Aladdin first greets Jasmine on her balcony, convincing her to join him on his magic carpet. As the ride comes to a close, they park the carpet on top of a roof and watch the fireworks.

As they fly over the rooftops, Aladdin and Jasmine are in a place high above the rest of the world. They can finally share their love, free from the obstacles of class differences and family disapproval.

4. “The Santa Clause” (1994)

With Santa Claus as the main character, audiences likely expected “The Santa Clause” to feature dozens of rooftop scenes. But actually, the whole plot of the movie hinges on what happens on a rooftop.

At the beginning of the movie, divorced father Scott notices Santa on top of his roof. He calls out to Santa, causing Santa to slip and fall off the roof. With no Santa to deliver toys to the children, Scott is forced to climb to the rooftop and take his place.

5. “The Walk” (2015)

After high-wire artist Philippe Petit saw a picture of New York’s Twin Towers, he dreamed of walking a high wire between them. But it took years and a team of conspirators to achieve his dream. The climax of the movie finds Philippe and his friends on top of the towers, illegally rigging a high wire between the two buildings. The cinematography from the tower’s rooftop is enough to give moviegoers vertigo.

6. “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016)

When two of the world’s favorite superheroes collide, what better place for the epic battle than on a rooftop? The precarious rooftop scene adds a backdrop of danger and thrill to the fight. In this treacherous location, we come close to losing one of these beloved heroes.

 

Where would these memorable scenes be without their rooftop settings? High above the world, rooftops are one of the best locations to create a sense of danger, love, and wonder.

While your rooftop might not be fit for a movie scene, it should still look its best. If your roof is looking a little worse for wear, call a roofing expert from D.S. Bahr Construction, Inc. to repair or replace it.