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NJ's Film Boom: Hollywood East Flexes Muscle
14 Apr
Summary
- New Jersey saw filming count jump 45% and spend increase 37%.
- Major studios invest heavily in New Jersey infrastructure.
- US filming declined 10% overall, with features down 21%.
New Jersey stands out as the sole exception to a nationwide slowdown in film and television production during the first quarter of 2026. The state experienced a substantial 45 percent increase in filming count and a 37 percent rise in production spend, according to ProdPro's latest report. This growth is largely driven by increased episodic television activity, attracting series to the state dubbed "Hollywood East." Major investments are underway, including Netflix's $1 billion East Coast production hub at Fort Monmouth, Paramount's lease at 1888 Studios in Bayonne, and Lionsgate's commitment to Great Point Studios in Newark.
Notable productions filmed in New Jersey include Steven Spielberg's "Disclosure Day" and Amazon MGM's Sylvester Stallone biopic "I Play Rocky." Producers are citing New Jersey's favorable tax incentives as a key factor. In contrast, traditional hubs like California and New York saw filming counts decline, though California managed a slight increase in production spend. Illinois reported flat filming counts and a slight uptick in spend. Meanwhile, New Mexico and Georgia experienced notable declines in production activity.
Across the United States, overall filming count decreased by 10 percent in the first quarter of 2026, with a significant 21 percent drop in feature film production. However, television episode activity saw a 4 percent increase. Industry leaders note a trend of features returning to established hubs like Los Angeles and New York, benefiting from enhanced tax credits, while other markets experience depression. This shift underscores the dynamic nature of film production locations and the impact of financial incentives.
