Georgia’s film industry is at a crossroads, but the ights are back on, cameras are rolling, and the Peach State’s film and television sector is proving once again why it’s one of America’s premier production powerhouses.
As we head deeper into 2026, the Peach State is experiencing a clear rebound after a challenging post-strike slowdown, with 33 active productions currently filming across the state—the highest number in nearly two years.
Georgia’s Film Industry Rebounds Strong in 2026
According to the Georgia Film Office, direct production spending hit a record $4.4 billion in fiscal year 2022 with 412 projects on the books. But the industry faced a sharp reset in the years that followed.
How big is Georgia’s film industry?
Spending dropped to $2.3 billion in fiscal year 2025, with productions falling to 245, as Hollywood grappled with the lingering effects of the 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes, studio cost-cutting, and a broader shift in the streaming landscape.
A big part of that dip? Some major players headed overseas.
Marvel Studios wrapped its final Georgia shoot with 2025’s Thunderbolts and relocated big-budget superhero productions to the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe, where labor and overall costs run significantly lower.
Other streamers followed suit for select projects, chasing cheaper international incentives and production savings amid a leaner content slate. Industry insiders noted the move was less about Georgia’s shortcomings and more about global economics—studios simply hunting for the best deal in a tighter market.
Yet even with those high-profile departures, Georgia isn’t just holding its ground—it’s gaining momentum.
Georgia Film Office Director Lee Thomas put it plainly this week: “We are busier now than we have been in some time. 2026 is much better than 2025 was.”
Thomas and other leaders recently briefed state lawmakers on the upswing, highlighting how Georgia’s combination of competitive tax incentives (up to 30% transferable credits with no cap), world-class crews, diverse filming locations, and massive studio infrastructure continues to make the state an “easy button” for producers.
“Georgia’s the easy button,” echoed Rep. Kasey Carpenter. “You pick up the phone, somebody is on the other line. We’re willing to roll up our sleeves and get you to production.”
That attitude is paying off. Recent and upcoming shoots include Tulsa King (filmed recently in Savannah), Judd Apatow and Glen Powell’s Comeback King (set for Savannah this spring), and a steady stream of episodic TV like Sistas, Love is Blind, and Family Feud. Tyler Perry Studios, Trilith, Assembly Atlanta, and new facilities keep expanding, while Savannah’s local rebates add extra appeal for coastal and historic shoots.
Nationally, Georgia remains a top-tier U.S. production hub.
Is Georgia Still #1 in the Film Industry?
While some 2026 rankings place California and New York at the very top thanks to their own beefed-up incentives, Georgia consistently ranks among the elite for overall output, stage space (second-largest in the nation), and long-term stability.
Business Facilities Magazine has called it No. 1 for film production in recent reports, and local leaders point out that the state’s experienced workforce and business-friendly environment give it an edge few others can match.“
Georgia remains one of the most competitive places in the world for film and television production,” Thomas emphasized.
The state’s appeal stretches far beyond Atlanta—crews are lighting up everything from Atlanta’s urban backdrops and rural farmlands to Savannah’s historic streets and coastal vistas.
What’s Ahead for Georgia’s Film Industry
Looking ahead, optimism is high.
Several Georgia-filmed projects are slated for 2026 releases, including Netflix originals and theatrical features, and industry veterans say the pipeline of episodic and mid-budget work provides more consistent jobs than the boom-and-bust of tentpole blockbusters ever did.
Yes, Georgia lost some flashy productions to Europe’s cost advantages. But the numbers, the crews, and the infrastructure tell a different story: The Peach State isn’t fading—it’s evolving into an even stronger, more resilient force in American filmmaking.
The cameras keep rolling in Georgia. And from Atlanta to Savannah and beyond, the industry that helped put our state on the global entertainment map is writing its next act—stronger, smarter, and still very much center stage.
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