Inside three groundbreaking film production campuses that are reinventing the birthplace of filmmaking
The Garden State has announced plans to open large-scale film studios and production campuses, with construction underway through 2028. Backed by major film-industry corporations such as Paramount, Lionsgate and Netflix, and local community organizations, these innovative New Jersey film studios are projected to rival La La Land, with some even calling NJ the “Hollywood of the East.” What does this mean for future filmmaking and producers seeking high-caliber studios in the Mid-Atlantic? Keep reading to find out.
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Opening Soon: 3 Game-Changing Production Campuses in New Jersey
Exciting developments are underway in the Garden State for filmmakers worldwide, with three state-of-the-art studios set to open between 2026 and 2028, innovating film production in NJ. From a battle to be crowned the first purpose-built film production studio in New Jersey to just emerging on the scene, here is a breakdown of what you need to know.
For New Jersey’s film incentives, as well as in-depth coverage of North America—US state-by-state, Canada provinces and locations in the Tropics—see Destination Film Guide’s Film Incentives.
The Lionsgate Project (Newark)
Also vying for the spot as the first purpose-built production studio in New Jersey, Lionsgate is coming to Newark to collaborate on an expansive, cutting-edge complex built specifically for television and film production. By reusing an 82-year-old public housing facility demolished in 2022, the new partnership benefits the entire community and film industry.
In a crucial revitalization of Newark and a future economic boost to the city’s South Ward, Lionsgate is joining forces with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Great Point Studios, and the Newark Housing Authority (NHA) in an innovative development project—Lionsgate Newark. The Lionsgate Newark film studio will be built on the former Seth Boyden Housing Complex, a vacant 12-acre property and the first neighborhood enhancement in decades.
The studio is projected to create more than 600 permanent jobs and generate over $800M in annual economic impact, something Newark needs to become one of the top film production hubs in the Northeast. Lionsgate Newark will reserve 70% of its full-time positions for Newark residents, supporting the local economy and the national film industry. Not only will the city get improvements to sidewalks, green spaces and building facades, it will also provide educational opportunities with sizeable grants.
Key Specs
- Size: 12 acres
- $125M development plan
- Six soundstages (each 10,000-30,000 square feet), production offices, set-building facilities, on-site production services, equipment storage, catering, and more.
- Construction began in December 2025 and is expected to open in 2027.
1888 Studios (Bayonne)
Another significant addition to the filmmaking meccas in the US, 1888 Studios broke ground on the Bayonne Peninsula in December 2025, marking the start of construction on a world-class production campus that will rival those in Hollywood (and maybe even Lionsgate Newark).
Poised to stand at the forefront of the global entertainment industry, 1888 Studios will be a 58-acre campus—the largest television and film production facility in the Northeast. Backed by a major player, 1888 Studios signed a 10-year lease with Paramount Global, solidifying their commitment to building a world-class production studio in New Jersey. 1888 Studios recognizes the need to showcase the amazing talent in and around New Jersey.
The company’s name honors Thomas Edison and the year he filed his preliminary patent for an early motion picture camera in West Orange, solidifying the birthplace of film production in NJ. 1888 Studios will be located at Columbus Circle, only 30 minutes from Downtown Manhattan. It touts being the first purpose-built film production campus in New Jersey, and so does our next studio.
Key Specs
- Size: 58 dry acres and 20 wet acres
- Located in Bayonne, 1888 Studios is set to be the most expansive film studio in the country at 1.6 million square feet.
- Located less than 30 minutes from Downtown Manhattan.
- Will include 23 state-of-the-art “Smart” Stages, 10 acres of basecamp parking, and a 22-acre water backlot.
- The studio broke ground for the construction of the sprawling campus in December 2025. There is no set completion date at this time.
Netflix’s Fort Monmouth Studio (Oceanport & Eatontown)
The streaming giant Netflix broke ground at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, in 2025, beginning the transformation of a 292-acre abandoned former U.S. Army installation into a mega-studio and East Coast production hub, complete with a town center, residential units, and a local business area.
At the ceremony in Oceanport, Governor Phil Murphy said, “Netflix’s investment affirms that the birthplace of film is where its future is being built once again.” The once inactive property is now being transformed into an innovative hub for filmmakers and producers, offering the Garden State a fresh source of economic growth. The campus will generate significant ongoing employment opportunities in both construction and manufacturing. Currently, Netflix is filming two movies in New Jersey, which employ more than 500 people.
Netflix has entered into a tax agreement with Eatontown and Oceanport, guaranteeing millions of dollars in annual revenue through the PILOT program (payment-in-lieu-of-taxes) for film productions in NJ. Coupled with film tax incentives offered in the state, producers should run, not walk, to this emerging New Jersey film studio.
Key Specs
- Size: 289 acres
- $903M redevelopment plan
- Includes 12 soundstages (totaling almost 500,000 square feet), production offices, a cafeteria, retail shops, trailer parks for crews, and ancillary production support.
- Phase one of construction began in May 2025 and is expected to be completed in 2028.
Why Call New Jersey Home?
How did the modestly sized Garden State become the recent epicenter for gigantic new film studios on the East Coast?
Proximity to Major Cities
Film production in NJ offers easy proximity to major cities with large populations and vast talent pools, such as Manhattan, New York City, and Philadelphia. This strongly encourages applicants from nearby metropolitan areas to apply, accelerating the hiring process for potential filmmakers.
New Jersey is now positioned to become a leading epicenter of East Coast film production. It is surrounded by diverse cities, incredible landscapes, communities in need of rejuvenation, and residents seeking a growing local economy with impactful jobs.
New Jersey’s Diverse Filming Environments
Despite its relatively small size, New Jersey offers diverse and innovative options for filmmaking. It offers environments suitable for a wide range of genres and scenes, including numerous abandoned urban sites, saving time and money with ready-to-shoot film sets. The state comprises the Jersey Shore, the Appalachian Mountains, rural farmland, and dense urban areas such as Newark and Trenton, creating a dynamic blend of landscapes for any project.
Major films produced in New Jersey:
- Joker
- War of the Worlds
- The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
- The Wolf of Wall Street
- Friday the 13th
- The Walking Dead: Dead City
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live
New Jersey’s Attractive Film Tax Incentives
New Jersey’s Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program offers up to 35% to 40% rebate on film production expenses as tax credits. In addition to the 35% to 40% tax credit rebate on film production costs, New Jersey has a 4% bonus for film productions that hire 25% or more of their workforce from New Jersey’s economically disadvantaged demographics.
While New York, Georgia and Pennsylvania each have large film production studios, New Jersey ultimately offers higher tax credit rates than these other states, which generally offer only 20%-30% tax rebates, compared to New Jersey’s 35%-40%. Additionally, the Garden State has the highest concentration of film talent outside California, thanks to programs such as Film Ready, which offers training and certification for film production.
Refer to Destination Reunion Guide’s Mid-Atlantic Film Incentives and New Jersey’s official website for further details regarding economic incentives.
BONUS: Be sure to read our FREE guide comparing filming incentives across North America.
Local Economy & Social Impact in NJ
These three mega-studios will create thousands of jobs for those already in the film production industry or seeking to enter it. These positions include backstage workers, make-up artists, writers, construction workers, set builders, engineers, designers, and more. For decades to come, thousands of jobs will be filled by New Jersey residents, strengthening the workforce and driving economic growth.
Community Revitalization
Fort Monmouth, the former WWII military base used for radio and radar development, closed in 2011 and was demolished in 2022. Today, it is being repurposed as the site for Netflix’s billion-dollar production campus project. Lionsgate Newark will revamp the former Seth Boyden Housing Complex, help beautify the city through grants and bolster economic growth. 1888 Studios is bringing a sprawling campus to Bayonne, providing hundreds of permanent jobs and easy access from major surrounding cities brimming with talent and a hungry workforce.
These studios are not just opportunities to enhance the filmmaking industry; they’re also a chance to give back to communities in need. What was once a decaying building or deserted wasteland will now serve as a beacon of hope for sustainable living, community-forward thinking and advanced filmmaking opportunities.
Boost to Tourism and Regional Economy
The influx of filmmakers, spurred by New Jersey’s world-class film studios, increases customer traffic to local small businesses that serve them. One report from a downtown Cranford, New Jersey, sandwich shop estimated a 20%-30% increase in business during one film production in town.
New film productions and movies will also create potential travel destinations for tourists to visit the locations where their favorite scenes were filmed. As more projects are produced in New Jersey, the state will attract tourists and filmmakers alike by virtue of being known as the “Hollywood of the East.”
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