NYC Payphones Are Back—But Picking One Up Sends You On A 90s-Themed Scavenger Hunt

Just when we thought the payphone era was over, the once-iconic booths are suddenly reappearing on New York City streets. But don’t expect to call your best friend for a yap sesh—these phones are pulling New Yorkers straight into a wild 1990s-themed scavenger hunt. The mysterious payphones seem to be part of the buzz for Academy Award-nominated filmmaker **Darren Aronofsky’s new movie *Caught Stealing*, set to hit theaters on Friday, August 29. Set in 1998, the film stars Austin Butler, Regina King, Zoë Kravitz, Matt Smith, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D’Onofrio, Griffin Dunne, Bad Bunny, and Carol Kane. The story follows bartender Hank Thompson (Butler), whose life spirals after his punk-rock neighbor leaves him with a cat—and a mess of dangerous gangsters on his trail. To bring that gritty late-90s NYC vibe to life, Aronofsky’s team has planted payphones around the city. And if you pick one up, you’ll get roped into a scavenger hunt that feels straight out of a cult film. Aronofsky’s Instagram features several posts showing quirky flyers taped around New York City teasing strange requests:** * Call if you want to taste a new matzo ball recipe * Call if you’ve ever been caught in a Fishbone Primus mosh pit * Call if you’re willing to move mystery boxes for a prize Each flyer includes an address to track down the closest payphone. Once you make the call, you’re challenged to complete a 1990s-style scavenger hunt around New York before meeting the mystery person on the other end of the line. 📍 Where to find the payphones in NYC ------------------------------------ If you’re ready to play, here’s where you can pick up the receiver: * 📞 **FiDi** — Fulton St & Ryders Alley (Seaport Deli) * 📞 **East Village** — 2nd Ave & E Houston St (at 2 Av Subway Entrance) * 📞 **Fort Greene** — S Elliot Pl & Lafayette Ave (Margot Restaurant) * 📞 **Williamsburg** — Metropolitan Ave & Havemeyer St (The City Reliquary Museum) The stunt blends nostalgia with mystery, making it one of the most talked-about promotions in the city right now. And if the game feels like a movie, that’s the point—because in just a few days, *Caught Stealing* officially hits theaters. 🎬 Watch the **trailer for *Caught Stealing* below:** Source: https://secretnyc.co/nyc-payphones-scavenger-hunt-promo-darren-aronofsky-movie-caught-stealing/