Film and television productions spent an estimated $185.5 million in North Carolina during 2025, according to data released by the state. This amount is the fourth-highest annual total since the current version of the North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grant program began in 2015.
The investment came from a variety of projects, including feature films, streaming and television series, reality shows, commercials, and independent productions. A total of 38 projects were filmed across nearly half of North Carolina’s counties.
Governor Josh Stein said, “Film production is important to North Carolina, generating economic activity and supporting more than 7,000 jobs across the state last year. Producers know when they choose North Carolina, they’ll find a supportive environment with an experienced workforce that understands and meets their needs.”
In 2025, more than 7,000 jobs for crew members, talent, and background extras were created through these productions. Eleven projects that had been pre-approved for rebates from the state’s film grant program accounted for over $179 million in direct spending.
Several notable TV series were filmed in different regions of the state: “Beast Games” Season 2 was shot in both Northeast and Southeast Prosperity Zones; “Top Chef” Season 23 was filmed in the Southwest region; “Blue Ridge: The Series” Season 2 wrapped up filming also in the Southwest; “RJ Decker” began filming its pilot and continued into Season 1 in the Southeast region; while “The Hunting Wives” started filming its second season in the Southwest.
Feature-length films included “Bad Counselors” (Southwest), “Driver’s Ed” (Southeast and South Central), “May and the Woodsman” (Northwest), “The Bard,” and “Widow” (both Piedmont Triad). National commercials for brands such as AutoZone, Food Lion, and Mack Trucks were also produced on location within North Carolina.
Local independent projects like “Long Drive to Yadkin,” “Pretty Ugly,” “A Good Fight,” and “Venus: The Fibonacci Sequence,” along with parts of “Military Makeover with Montel,” contributed further to production activity statewide.
North Carolina Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley stated: “Film and entertainment projects not only bring good jobs for the state’s production workers generate customers for North Carolina small businesses. Many of the goods and services that keep these productions humming are provided by the small businesses that are the lifeblood of our state’s economy.”
Projects filmed previously premiered or were released during 2025. Television series such as “The Waterfront,” “The Runarounds,” Season 3 of “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” and Season 1 of “The Hunting Wives” debuted after being shot earlier. Feature films including “Roofman,” “Christy,””Merv,” and critically acclaimed title “A Little Prayer” also saw release this year.
Production continues into early 2026 with ongoing work on titles like “RJ Decker,” Season 2 of “The Hunting Wives,” as well as a made-for-television movie titled “A Grand Biltmore Christmas.”
Guy Gaster, director of the North Carolina Film Office said: “North Carolina’s film and television industry has evolved into a dynamic, year-round economic driver. Our incentive program, combined with a skilled local workforce and unmatched geographic diversity, continues to attract productions that deliver jobs and investment statewide. As we look back on 2025 and forward into 2026, North Carolina remains highly competitive in the global production marketplace.”
The state’s film grant program aims to draw feature-length film as well as television/streaming projects that encourage economic growth through job creation. Production companies receive funding only after meeting specific requirements for direct spending within North Carolina followed by an audit process overseen by state officials.
For additional details about productions or incentives available within North Carolina’s film industry visit https://www.filmnc.com/.
