How the Garden State is Blooming into America’s Next Entertainment Capital

Film crews and A list celebrities are being spotted in Newark, Jersey Shore and Kearny, think Sydney Sweeney and Timothy Chalamet. Camera crews are setting up in Hoboken. And in studios from Jersey City to Camden, the familiar call of “Action!” echoes through sound stages that just five years ago were empty warehouses or abandoned factories.

Are we seeing an entertainment renaissance—a transformation so dramatic that industry insiders are calling it the emergence of “Hollywood East 2.0.”

The Perfect Storm of Opportunity

The Garden State’s ascension to entertainment prominence didn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of a perfect storm of economic incentives, geographic advantages, and strategic investments that have made New Jersey irresistible to major studios and production companies.

There’s a fundamental shift in how the entertainment industry approaches content production. New Jersey offers something California increasingly can’t: affordability, accessibility, and authenticity. The numbers tell the story. In 2019, New Jersey hosted $420 million in film and television production. By 2024, that figure had exploded to over $1.2 billion, representing a nearly 300% increase. This year, projections suggest the state could see its first $2 billion production year.

The Incentive Advantage

At the heart of New Jersey’s success is its competitive tax incentive program. The state offers a 30% tax credit for qualified productions, with an additional 2% for diversity and inclusion initiatives. For productions that spend more than $1 million in the state, the incentives can be the difference between a green light and a red light from studio executives.

Kevin Interdonato, a NJ native (The Bastard Sons) who is both an Actor and Film Maker, explains, “You can stretch your budget 25-30% further here, and that translates directly to better production values on screen.”

But it’s not just about the money. New Jersey’s incentive program is also designed to build long-term industry infrastructure. Productions that commit to multi-year projects or establish permanent facilities receive additional benefits, encouraging sustained investment rather than one-off projects.

Location, Location, Location

New Jersey’s geography provides another compelling advantage. The state offers an incredible diversity of locations within a compact area: urban cityscapes in Newark and Jersey City, suburban neighborhoods that could pass for anywhere in America, pristine beaches along the Shore, dense forests in the Pine Barrens, and industrial landscapes that have doubled for everything from post-apocalyptic wastelands to gritty crime dramas.

You can shoot a beach scene in the morning in Cape May and have your cast in a Manhattan-style urban setting by lunch. That kind of versatility is incredibly valuable, especially for television series that need multiple looks.

The proximity to New York City is perhaps the crown jewel of New Jersey’s geographic advantages. Major talent can commute from Manhattan without the disruption of travel, while productions benefit from lower costs than shooting directly in the city. This “best of both worlds” scenario has made New Jersey particularly attractive for television series that need the urban energy of New York but the budget flexibility of a more affordable location.

Building the Infrastructure

The success of New Jersey’s entertainment industry isn’t just measured in dollars spent—it’s reflected in the infrastructure being built to support long-term growth. The state now boasts over 20 major production facilities, including purpose-built sound stages and converted industrial spaces.

The crown jewel is the New Jersey Studios complex in Kearny, a 50-acre facility that opened in 2023 with 12 sound stages and comprehensive post-production facilities. The complex already hosts two major network television series and has a waiting list of productions seeking space.

We’re not just attracting productions anymore—we’re creating an ecosystem.

The Talent Pipeline

Perhaps most importantly, New Jersey is cultivating local talent. The state’s universities and community colleges have expanded their film and media programs dramatically. Rutgers University’s film program has seen enrollment triple since 2020, while county colleges across the state are launching certificate programs in production skills.

Local crew members who once had to travel to New York or Los Angeles for work are now finding steady employment in their home state. Union membership in film-related crafts has grown by over 400% in New Jersey since 2020.

The Streaming Boom Effect

The explosion of streaming platforms has created an insatiable demand for content, and New Jersey has positioned itself perfectly to meet that demand. Unlike the traditional Hollywood model focused on big-budget blockbusters, streaming platforms need a steady stream of mid-budget content—exactly the kind of productions that benefit most from New Jersey’s cost advantages.

Major streaming services have taken notice. Netflix has committed to producing at least six original series in New Jersey over the next three years. Amazon Prime has established an East Coast production hub in Princeton. HBO Max is developing three original series specifically designed to take advantage of New Jersey locations.

Economic Impact Beyond Entertainment

The entertainment boom is creating ripple effects throughout New Jersey’s economy. Hotels report higher occupancy rates from cast and crew. Restaurants are seeing increased business from catering contracts and after-work dining. Local suppliers from lumber yards to costume shops are seeing new revenue streams.

The New Jersey Department of Labor estimates that the entertainment industry directly employs over 15,000 people in the state, with indirect employment adding another 25,000 jobs. The average salary for entertainment industry workers in New Jersey is 40% higher than the state’s median income. It’s not just about the glamour of movies and TV; this is about high-paying, skilled jobs that can’t be outsourced. It’s about young people being able to build careers without leaving the state.

Challenges and Growing Pains

New Jersey’s entertainment boom hasn’t been without challenges. The rapid growth has created some growing pains, including competition for crew members, rising real estate costs in production-heavy areas, and occasional conflicts between productions and local communities unaccustomed to the disruption of filming.

Traffic congestion around major production facilities has become a concern in some areas. Local officials are working with production companies to manage the impact, including coordinated scheduling of shoots and improved communication with residents about filming activities.

There’s also the challenge of ensuring that the economic benefits reach all communities across the state. While areas near New York City have seen the most production activity, state officials are working to encourage filming in South Jersey and rural areas.

Looking to the Future

Industry observers predict that New Jersey’s entertainment sector will continue its rapid growth. Several major studios are reportedly considering establishing permanent East Coast operations in the state. Plans are in development for additional sound stage complexes, and the state government has signaled its commitment to maintaining competitive incentives.

International productions are also taking notice. British and Canadian production companies are exploring New Jersey as a base for content aimed at American audiences, drawn by the same advantages that have attracted domestic productions.

A New Chapter for the Garden State

For a state long known primarily for its proximity to other places—”What exit?” has been the unofficial state motto—New Jersey’s emergence as an entertainment destination represents a fundamental shift in identity. The state is becoming a destination in its own right, a place where stories are told rather than just passed through.

The transformation is visible everywhere: former industrial sites converted to sound stages, craft services trucks parked on tree-lined suburban streets, and the occasional celebrity sighting at local diners. But perhaps most importantly, it’s visible in the opportunities being created for New Jersey residents who no longer have to choose between pursuing their dreams and staying close to home.

As the sun sets over the Hudson River, casting its golden light across the Manhattan skyline visible from Jersey City’s waterfront, it’s illuminating a new chapter in New Jersey’s story. The Garden State is blooming, and the whole world is watching.

“Lights, camera, New Jersey!”—it has a nice ring to it.