New Jersey Filming Grows as California, New York, and Georgia Decline

New Jersey is experiencing a significant expansion in its film and television production footprint, coinciding with a sharp downturn in activity within California. Data from industry tracker ProdPro reveals a structural shift in where studios are choosing to film, even as California increases its financial incentives to retain production.

In the fourth quarter of 2025, California saw a 20 percent year-over-year decrease in movie and TV projects filming within the state. Production spending for those projects fell by 22 percent during the same period, totaling $1.35 billion.

These declines persist despite legislative efforts by Governor Gavin Newsom to curb the exodus of production. In July 2025, Newsom signed legislation that more than doubled California’s annual film and television tax credit program, increasing the funding from $330 million to $750 million.

Los Angeles Production Trends

While California remains the top overall destination for film and TV shoots due to the presence of major studio headquarters, local data shows a mixed recovery. According to the permitting office FilmLA, overall filming days in Los Angeles rose approximately 6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the previous quarter.

However, the broader annual trend for the city is negative. Total shoot days in Los Angeles throughout 2025 decreased by 16 percent compared to 2024.

Growth in the Garden State

New Jersey reported some of the strongest growth in the United States during the final quarter of 2025. The state’s filming count surged by 75 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, while production spending rose by 12 percent.

The state offers up to $430 million annually in film and television tax incentives, a figure that is lower than the incentives provided by both California and New York.

Industry analysts attribute New Jersey’s gains to significant infrastructure investments rather than tax credits alone. Netflix is currently developing a $1 billion East Coast production hub at the former Fort Monmouth site, which is planned to include 12 soundstages.

Other major studio moves include Paramount signing a 10-year lease at 1888 Studios in Bayonne and Lionsgate working toward the opening of Great Point Studios in Newark.

The impact of these developments is evident in specific high-budget projects. Netflix’s Happy Gilmore 2 recorded $152.5 million in qualified spend in New Jersey over a shoot lasting more than 60 days.

National Production Shifts

The shift in production is not limited to New Jersey. Other states, including New York and Illinois, have also seen gains in film and TV production.

Conversely, Georgia has seen a decline in filming counts, suggesting a redistribution of production hubs across the United States.