Film and television productions in North Carolina contributed an estimated $185.5 million to the state’s economy in 2025, creating over 7,000 jobs. Productions across the state—from the mountains to the coast—utilized local hotels, catering services, vehicle rentals, and construction crews for sets and stages.
The tally comes from a Feb. 13 release that pegs direct in-state production spending at $185,521,578 for the year, the fourth-highest total since the current incentive program launched in 2015. The report counts 38 productions across 45 counties, notes that 11 pre-approved rebate projects accounted for more than $179 million of that spending, and highlights several national commercials shot on location. Those details were published by the North Carolina Department of Commerce.
“Film production is important to North Carolina, generating economic activity and supporting more than 7,000 jobs across the state last year,” Governor Josh Stein said in that release. Commerce officials added that several projects rolled straight into 2026, a sign they say the state’s grant program and experienced local crews are keeping the soundstages humming, according to the same statement.
Major titles and where they filmed
On screen, North Carolina doubled as just about everywhere. High-profile TV and streaming projects included Season 2 of “Beast Games,” Season 23 of “Top Chef,” the pilot and follow-up work on “RJ Decker,” and Season 2 of “The Hunting Wives.” Features such as “Bad Counselors,” “Driver’s Ed” and “The Bard” also used North Carolina backdrops. Local coverage mapped out which parts of the state landed which productions and which titles scored grants, with the slate stretching from Wilmington to the Charlotte region, the Piedmont Triad and beyond, as reported by WECT.
How the rebate program works
Behind the scenes, the state’s incentive is a rebate program that can return up to 25% of qualifying in-state production spending, but only after a project finishes and its books are audited. Productions must hit minimum spending thresholds and stay within per-project caps that differ for series, feature films and commercials. To qualify, producers have to file an intent-to-film and follow specific audit and documentation rules, according to the North Carolina Film Office.
Small businesses and crews see the lift
State officials say those millions do not just vanish into studio ledgers. They flow through local hotels and rentals, restaurants and catering outfits, transportation companies, set construction shops and other small businesses, while also landing in paychecks for crew members, background performers and technical staff. Earlier coverage of incentive awards described the grants as a direct jolt for suppliers and tourism, pointing to Over $131 million in grants that helped seed shoots across several regions.
Where this fits in the trend
The 2025 haul followed a banner 2024, when production spending topped roughly $302 million. That comparison underscores how sizable, and sometimes variable, the industry’s economic footprint has been in recent years. The 2024 figure and broader year-to-year reporting on projects and studio growth are documented by the North Carolina Film Office.
With multiple projects already active or newly approved going into 2026, including continued work on “RJ Decker” and the second season of “The Hunting Wives,” state leaders argue the production pipeline should keep jobs and local spending flowing. Late-2025 and early-2026 announcements and coverage point to a steady calendar of shoots that will keep crews and service providers busy, as noted in reporting on recent grants.
