North Carolina Film Industry Sees $185.5 Million Investment, Faces Global Competition
North Carolina’s film and television industry generated $185.5 million in direct in-state spending in 2025, marking the fourth-highest year-end total since 2015, according to the North Carolina Department of Commerce . This economic activity supported over 7,000 jobs statewide.
Industry Growth and Key Productions
The $185.5 million figure encompasses investments across feature films, streaming and television series, reality programming, commercials, and independent projects. Productions filmed across 45 of North Carolina’s 100 counties, spanning coastal, urban, and mountain communities .
Notable productions filmed in the state during 2025 included the second season of Beast Games, Season 23 of Top Chef, Blue Ridge The Series Season 2, the pilot and first season of RJ Decker, and Season 2 of The Hunting Wives . Feature films shot in North Carolina included Bad Counselors, Driver’s Ed, May and the Woodsman, and The Bard and Widow . Major national commercials for companies like AutoZone, Food Lion, and Mack Trucks were similarly filmed on location .
Challenges and Competition
Despite the positive economic impact, the North Carolina Film Office acknowledges growing challenges within the domestic filmmaking industry . Director Guy Gaster notes that production companies are increasingly finding it more cost-effective to film in European and Oceania countries, such as New Zealand and Australia .
“They are finding it to be a better business practice to shoot overseas and bring the projects back,” Gaster stated . Currently, North Carolina does not have a definitive solution to address this trend.
Future Outlook
Potential industry-wide solutions being discussed include the implementation of tariffs and the development of a more competitive national film incentive program . Gaster emphasizes the state’s strengths, including its diverse natural settings, skilled workforce, and supportive business environment . “North Carolina’s film and television industry has evolved into a dynamic, year-round economic driver,” Gaster said .