Film and TV Productions Generated $185.5M in North Carolina Spending During 2025
This marks the fourth-highest yearly total since the state’s grant program started in 2015. Thirty-eight productions were filmed across the state, creating more than 7,000 jobs.
MrBeast celebrates the premiere of the Prime Video Competition Series “Beast Games” at a content creator special screening on December 18, 2024.
Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Prime VideoMovie and television production in North Carolina pulled in $185.5 million during 2025. This marks the fourth-highest yearly total since the state's grant program started in 2015. Thirty-eight productions were filmed across the state, creating more than 7,000 jobs for crew members, actors, and background extras, according to the North Carolina Department of Commerce.
Filming happened in 45 of the state's 100 counties. Eleven projects approved for rebates from the grant program had activities in 2025, accounting for more than $179 million of total spending.
"Film production is important to North Carolina, generating economic activity and supporting more than 7,000 jobs across the state last year," said Governor Josh Stein, according to WCNC.com. "Producers know when they choose North Carolina, they'll find a supportive environment with an experienced workforce that understands and meets their needs."
Season 2 of Beast Games filmed in eastern North Carolina. Season 23 of Top Chef and Season 2 of Blue Ridge: The Series were also shot there. Movies included Bad Counselors, Driver's Ed, and The Bard.
Big national commercials for AutoZone, Food Lion, and Mack Trucks were filmed on location. Productions support local businesses across multiple sectors — accommodations, catering, transportation, construction, and other services.
"Film and entertainment projects not only bring good jobs for the state's production workers, they generate customers for North Carolina small businesses," said Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. "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."
Several projects filmed in prior years debuted in 2025. These included the series The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 and the movies Roofman and A Little Prayer.
The North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grant program provides rebates to production companies after projects finish and spending gets audited. Companies must meet spending requirements to qualify. No money gets provided upfront.
Multiple projects are in production in 2026, including the continuation of RJ Decker and Season 2 of The Hunting Wives. The made-for-television movie A Grand Biltmore Christmas is also filming. The program runs through the North Carolina Department of Commerce and gets promoted by the North Carolina Film Office.
