Harvey Weinstein charged with rape after turning himself in to authorities in New York

Disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein has been charged with rape and several other counts of sexual abuse involving two separate women after turning himself in to authorities in New York.

Weinstein arrived at the station house shortly at about 7.25am local time today (9.25pm AEST) wearing a dark jacket over a blue sweater and white open-collared shirt and dark denim jeans, carrying what appeared to be three thick books under his right arm.

Police officers escorted him inside as scores of journalists pushed up against barricades for pictures, while three police helicopters circled overhead.

He was then taken to a New York City courthouse in handcuffs, and stared grimly ahead as he appeared in front of the packed court.

Weinstein was granted a US$1 million cash bail, agreed to wear an electronic monitor, surrender his passport and not travel beyond New York and Connecticut.

He didn't enter a plea, however his lawyer indicated he would plead not guilty.

"Mr Weinstein intends to enter a plea of not guilty, we intend to move very quickly to dismiss these charges, we believe they are constitutionally flawed we believe he will be exonerated," Benjamin Brafman told journalists following the appearance.

When asked how he was feeling, Mr Brafman replied: "As well as can be expected when you vehemently deny a crime you're accused of committing."

More than 70 women have accused the co-founder of the Miramax film studio and Weinstein Co of sexual misconduct, including rape, with some allegations dating back decades.

A statement from the New York Police Department said Mr Weinstein "was arrested, processed and charged with rape, criminal sex act, sex abuse and sexual misconduct for incidents involving two separate women".

The statement thanked "these brave survivors for their courage to come forward and seek justice".

The accusations, first reported by the New York Times and the New Yorker last year, gave rise to the #MeToo movement in which hundreds of women have publicly accused powerful men in business, government and entertainment of misconduct.

Weinstein has denied having non-consensual sex with anyone.

The charges follow a months-long investigation that involved the Manhattan district attorney's office.

The victim in the rape case has not been identified, the Times reported.

The other case involves allegations by Lucia Evans, a former aspiring actor who told the New Yorker that Weinstein forced her to give him oral sex in 2004, the Times reported.