Over the last several years, New Jersey has quietly transformed into one of the fastest-growing film and television hubs in the country. What was once considered an alternative backdrop for New York productions has now become a sought-after destination for major studios, streaming giants, and award-winning directors. Thanks to aggressive tax incentives, new infrastructure projects, and the expansion of the state’s “Film Ready” program, the Garden State is seeing record-breaking spending and a surge of productions that is reshaping its cultural and economic landscape.
A wave of high-profile projects is cementing New Jersey’s reputation as a creative capital. In 2025, Adam Sandler’s Happy Gilmore 2 set a state record, spending $152 million while filming across 31 municipalities, from Morristown and Maplewood to Millburn and Verona. Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow brought her missile thriller A House of Dynamite to New Jersey, where it reportedly spent $74 million. The Academy Award-nominated Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, starring Timothée Chalamet, utilized 17 towns throughout the state in 2024 to stand in for New York, San Francisco, and beyond. Other notable productions include Todd Phillips’ Joker: Folie à Deux filming in Belleville, Blake Lively’s It Ends With Us in Chatham, Hoboken, and Jersey City, and Season 2 of Apple TV+’s Severance.
Just as important as the productions themselves are the studios rising across the state. Netflix Studios Fort Monmouth, a $1 billion production hub at the former army base, began demolition and site preparation in May 2025, laying the groundwork for what will eventually be one of the most advanced studio complexes in the country. Bayonne is preparing to welcome 1888 Studios, a 70-acre, 23-stage facility that is being touted as the largest purpose-built film studio complex in North America, expected to open in 2026. Newark has its own major project in the works with Lionsgate Newark Studios, developed in partnership with Great Point Studios, while Atlantic City has already reopened the iconic Playground Pier as ACX1 Studios. These massive investments are complemented by currently operating facilities such as 10 Basin Studios in Kearny, Cinelease Studios in Jersey City, Palisades Stages, Parlay Studios, and Sustainable Studios in Moonachie.
Infrastructure growth is being matched by community readiness. In August 2025, the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission expanded its “Film Ready New Jersey” initiative, adding 19 municipalities and two counties to its ranks. That brings the state’s total to 43 communities officially certified to host productions, ensuring local governments are equipped to streamline filming while supporting businesses and residents. New additions include Hunterdon and Salem counties, alongside towns such as Atlantic City, Bridgewater, Carteret, Livingston, and Moorestown. This network of film-friendly locations makes New Jersey increasingly attractive to producers who need reliable support and diverse backdrops.
The economic impact is already being felt statewide. Production spending topped $650 million in 2022, a record that surpassed the $500 million achieved in 2021. Since 2018, New Jersey has seen $2.4 billion in qualified production spending, generating more than 19,000 jobs. Projections from the state’s Economic Development Authority suggest the industry could reach $1 billion in annual revenue by 2026, positioning New Jersey as not just a regional competitor but a national leader.
Upcoming projects promise to keep the spotlight firmly on the Garden State. Steven Spielberg is expected to film his mysterious UFO feature The Dish in Cape May County, with Emily Blunt and Colman Domingo already spotted in the area. Jeremy Allen White stars in Deliver Me from Nowhere, a Bruce Springsteen biopic that has filmed in Montclair, Rockaway, Bayonne, Rahway, and Asbury Park—fitting for a story rooted in New Jersey’s own cultural icon. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s Netflix project RIP, Cameron Diaz’s comeback film Bad Day, and Paul Feig’s The Housemaid starring Sydney Sweeney add to an already stacked slate of productions. Independent filmmaking is thriving as well, with projects like Ponyboi—shot in Asbury Park and Palisades Park—earning Sundance buzz before its theatrical release in June 2025.
Television and streaming productions are equally robust. Dan Levy’s new series Big Mistakes is set to film in New Jersey from August through October 2025, while Netflix’s global hit 3 Body Problem may increasingly lean on the state’s growing studio ecosystem in future seasons. Combined with returning series like Severance, these projects reflect the diversity of storytelling that finds a home here.
The film industry’s expansion has also elevated New Jersey’s festival circuit, which showcases both international talent and homegrown voices. Events like fliXfest International Film Festival in Teaneck, the New Jersey Film Festival at Rutgers, and the ÍCARO Central American Film Festival in Union City highlight the state’s role not just as a filming location but as a platform for global cinema.
As more studios open their doors and more municipalities embrace the opportunities of being “film ready,” the momentum shows no signs of slowing. With Netflix, Lionsgate, and independent studios building lasting infrastructure, New Jersey is well on its way to becoming a multi-billion-dollar industry leader in film and television. The Garden State’s star is rising fast, and its role in shaping the future of entertainment is impossible to ignore.
For a deeper look at productions, studios, and festivals shaping the Garden State’s entertainment boom, visit Explore New Jersey’s Film and TV section
