A New Jersey shore town becomes the setting for a horror-comedy, a high-profile feature about tech entrepreneur John McAfee prepares for a tropical shoot, and a thriller heads into the distinctive wilderness of Florida’s Everglades. Here’s what these projects could mean for their respective filming destinations.
All the Kids Are Dead (Wildwood, New Jersey)
Wildwood’s off-season atmosphere provides the backdrop for All the Kids Are Dead, a horror-comedy about a toxic energy drink that turns teenagers into a hive-minded horde. Written and directed by Kevin Orosz, the feature is scheduled to shoot in the New Jersey shore town from December 11, 2026, through January 31, 2027.
The production offers an opportunity to showcase a different side of Wildwood. Its boardwalk, motels and beach-town landmarks are recognizable summer destinations, but the quieter winter months can give those same locations an entirely different character. A horror production can make effective use of that seasonal contrast while bringing activity to local lodging, businesses and production vendors outside the peak tourism period.
New Jersey also offers a state film and television tax credit, with qualifying productions potentially eligible for credits of 30% to 35% on certain expenses. Whether All the Kids Are Dead participates has not been confirmed, but the program is part of the state’s broader effort to attract production activity.
King of the Jungle (Puerto Rico)
The story of controversial technology entrepreneur John McAfee is the subject of King of the Jungle, directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa (I Love You Phillip Morris, Crazy, Stupid, Love) and written by Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski and Josh Davis. Nicolas Cage is attached to portray McAfee, with Johnny Depp also associated with the project.
Puerto Rico has emerged as a reported starting point for the production, with filming expected to begin in early December. However, published location information is not entirely consistent: Production List also identifies Atlanta and Hawaii, so the full itinerary remains unclear.
Puerto Rico offers a distinctive range of locations, along with an established production incentive program. Eligible projects can receive tax credits of up to 40% on qualified payments to resident companies and individuals and up to 20% on certain payments to nonresident individuals. The program helps position the island as a competitive destination for productions seeking both varied scenery and local production resources.
Bo (Everglades National Park, Florida)
