Why New Jersey Is Becoming a Hub for Film & Video Production

A New Creative Epicenter

New Jersey is rapidly emerging as one of the most exciting creative production hubs in the United States. Its unique location — minutes from New York City and Philadelphia — combined with competitive costs, diverse shooting backdrops, and strong state support has positioned the Garden State as a top destination for film, television, and branded content.

For businesses, this means access to world-class production resources without leaving New Jersey — and a growing local economy ready to support creative storytelling.

Why New Jersey? (Questions People Ask)

Q: Why are so many studios investing in NJ?
A: Tax incentives, available land, and proximity to NYC’s talent pool make NJ attractive for media giants.

Q: What makes NJ different from New York for production?
A: Lower costs, more space, and easier permitting — but with the same access to professional crews and infrastructure.

Q: Can smaller businesses benefit from this boom?
A: Absolutely. As more production resources enter the state, local brands can tap into the same cinematic quality that global studios demand.

A Cinematic Legacy: Film Began Here

New Jersey isn’t new to film — it’s a comeback story.

• In 1893, Thomas Edison built the world’s first film studio, the Black Maria, in West Orange.

• Fort Lee quickly became the birthplace of America’s film industry, home to major silent-era studios before Hollywood’s rise.

• Today, more than a century later, the industry is circling back — with New Jersey reclaiming its role in shaping moving images.

Major Studios Leading the Way

1. Netflix Studios – Fort Monmouth

   • $1 billion development with 12 soundstages and backlot.

   • Positioned to attract blockbuster films and series.

2. Lionsgate Newark Studios

   • 300,000 sq. ft. facility in Newark developed with Great Point Studios.

   • Expected to create hundreds of jobs and anchor Newark’s creative economy.

3. 1888 Studios – Bayonne

   • One of the largest planned film studio complexes in the U.S., named after the year cinema was invented.

   • Brings Hollywood-scale facilities to NJ’s waterfront.

4. Other Developments

   • Carteret, Jersey City, East Brunswick, and Egg Harbor City all have studio projects in the works — proof of long-term investment.

Iconic Films Shot in New Jersey

New Jersey’s versatility and cinematic appeal haven’t just landed new studios—they’ve attracted major motion pictures. These productions showcase the state's historical charm, urban grit, and scenic variety:

• The Sopranos (HBO, 1999–2007) – Shot across North Jersey (e.g., Lodi, Caldwell), becoming synonymous with NJ’s film identity.
  Sources: Frommer’s, PopTurf, Atlas Obscura

• Severance (Apple TV+, 2022– ) – Filmed in Monmouth County, with Bell Works in Holmdel standing in as Lumon Industries’ headquarters. Sources: Bell Works, Axios, Patch

• War of the Worlds (2005) – Steven Spielberg’s sci-fi epic filmed in Bayonne and Newark.
  Sources: Movie-Locations, NJ.com, Screen It

• Joker (2019) – Key scenes filmed in Newark’s Market Street and Journal Square in Jersey City.
  Sources: Untapped Cities, Movie-Locations, Elle Decor

• West Side Story (2021) – Spielberg’s musical remake featured scenes in Paterson.
  Sources: NJ.gov, NJ Spotlight News, Paterson Press

• The Wrestler (2008) – Aronofsky’s indie drama showcased Asbury Park’s Convention Hall.
  Sources: LatLong, Wikipedia, NJ.com

• Garden State (2004) – Cult classic shot in South Orange, Maplewood, and Newark.
  Sources: Montclair Girl, Atlas of Wonders, Essex News Daily

• Men in Black (1997) – Included scenes at the iconic NJ Turnpike’s Vince Lombardi Rest Stop.
  Sources: Movie-Locations, Vantage JC, Screen It

• A Complete Unknown (2024) – The Bob Dylan biopic by James Mangold, starring Timothée Chalamet, filmed across NJ—including Hoboken, Cape May, and Jersey City’s Jersey Avenue—with locations doubling as 1960s Greenwich Village.
  Sources: Architectural Digest, CapeMay.com, NY Post

• It Ends With Us (2024) – Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel adapted for film, shot across Hoboken, Jersey City, Plainfield, and Weehawken.
  Sources: People, Yahoo

• The Irishman (2019) – Martin Scorsese’s Oscar-nominated epic used Paterson and Newark to recreate mid-century New York and Philadelphia.
  Sources: CN Traveller, 94.5 PST

• Annie (1982) – The original film adaptation of the Broadway musical featured Monmouth University’s Wilson Hall as Daddy Warbucks’ mansion.
  Sources: Casey Barber, NJ.gov

• The Godfather (1972) – Coppola’s masterpiece filmed select scenes in New Jersey, including Jersey City’s Liberty State Park.
  Sources: Facebook – Historic Film Locations

• The Dark Knight Rises (2012) – Christopher Nolan brought Gotham to Newark, filming in and around Newark City Hall and downtown streets.
  Sources: NJ.gov, Business Insider

• The Watcher (Netflix, 2022) – Based on a chilling true story set in Westfield, NJ, filmed primarily in Westfield with exteriors shot in Rye, NY.
  Sources: Netflix Tudum, NBC New York

• Happy Gilmore 2 (2025) – Adam Sandler’s sequel filmed extensively across New Jersey, including Montclair Golf Club, Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club, Pleasantdale Château, Ideal Beach, and Newark Liberty Airport.
  Sources: People, Time Out

This wave of major films not only boosts the state’s economic profile but also highlights why New Jersey is an authentic, versatile backdrop that continues to attract high-profile productions.

What This Means for Local Businesses

• Stronger Infrastructure: More studios mean better access to talent, equipment, and post-production resources.

• Economic Growth: $592M contributed to NJ’s economy from productions in 2023 alone.

• Brand Opportunities: Businesses can now collaborate with production partners like Fibs and Tales for cinematic commercials, corporate films, and branded content — all supported by the state’s creative ecosystem.

A State Built for Storytelling

From historic roots in Edison’s labs to the bright lights of Netflix and Lionsgate, New Jersey has always been tied to the art of storytelling. Today, the state is once again a place where brands, agencies, and filmmakers can produce work with both global quality and local authenticity.

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