If you love movies, you probably love summer. Every year, numerous new releases fight for the coveted unofficial title of “movie of the summer.” 2025’s summer movie releases have already kicked off with Marvel’s “Thunderbolts” and Wes Anderson’s “The Phoenician Scheme,” and the season will continue with highly anticipated films like “How to Train Your Dragon,” “F1,” and “Freakier Friday.”
While Hollywood is the primary movie-making hub, the summer blockbusters we know and love are filmed all across the country. States across the U.S. offer tax credits and cash grants to incentivize film production, boosting local economies and giving Americans everywhere a glimpse into the lights, the cameras, and the action.
Whether you’re looking to get into the film industry or you just want a sneak peek of what goes on behind the scenes, living in a film city can be a fun way to bring the big screen to life.
Here are 10 cities with the biggest film industries in the U.S. in 2025:
- Albuquerque, NM
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Chicago, IL
- Los Angeles, CA
- Miami, FL
- New York, NY
- Philadelphia, PA
- Salt Lake City, UT
- Santa Fe, NM
Albuquerque, NM
MovieMaker.com named Albuquerque the one of the best big cities for filmmakers, second only to Toronto, ON. According to the New Mexico Film Office, film production companies can receive up to a 40% tax credit on qualified projects if they film in New Mexico. Albuquerque’s distinct desert landscape and commercial center make it a great place to film in New Mexico to qualify for the 40% tax credit while producing visually appealing pieces of media.
Movies like “The Avengers” (2012), “The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials” (2015), and “The Goldfinch” (2019) were filmed in Albuquerque. Netflix original series “Breaking Bad” (2008-2013) and “Better Call Saul” (2015-2022) were also filmed in Albuquerque.
Atlanta, GA
The Georgia Department of Economic Development offers a base tax credit of 20% for qualified productions and an additional 10% for including the Georgia logo in the credit roll. The numerous studios in Atlanta make it a filming hub. The Atlanta Film Festival brings professionals together and is worth the entry fee.
Atlanta is a hub for Marvel Studios, with recent productions like “Thunderbolts” and “Captain America: Brave New World” filmed at Atlanta Metro Studios and Trilith Studios. “The Hate U Give” (2018) and the majority of “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” (2013) and “Stranger Things” (2016-) were also filmed in Atlanta.
Austin, TX
The Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (TMIIIP) offers cash grants and a sales tax exemption to qualifying productions. Projects that qualify for TMIIIP also qualify for the Austin Creative Content Incentive Program, which offers incentives of up to 0.75% of the wages paid to Austin residents.
The Austin Film Festival and South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival both celebrate independent films, and Fantastic Fest is the largest genre festival in the U.S. Whether you’re a filmmaker looking to submit your projects for award consideration, or just a cinephile who wants to attend as many festivals as possible, Austin is a great place to start.
Austin has been the backdrop for several blockbusters, including “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” (1993), “Miss Congeniality” (2000), and the “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” series. Apple TV+ series “The Last Thing He Told Me” (2023-) and several episodes of the Netflix original series “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” (2019-) were also filmed in Austin.
Chicago, IL
The State of Illinois offers several tax credits on spending and salaries for qualified productions. Chicago has several film studios like Cinespace Chicago in the Lawndale neighborhood, and the Chicago International Film Festival is the longest-running competitive film festival in the U.S.
Many Christmas movies are shot in the Chicago metro area, including “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (1989) and “Christmas with the Kranks” (2004). Dystopian thriller “Divergent” (2014) and John Hughes classics “16 Candles” (1984), “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986), and “Home Alone” (1990) were also filmed in the Chicago area. FX show “The Bear” (2022-) was filmed in Chicago, primarily at the Mr. Beef restaurant in the River North neighborhood.
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles is the heart of the U.S. film industry, with the “Big Five” production studios – Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., Walt Disney Studios, and Sony Pictures – scattered across the city. In addition to convenience, studios enjoy base tax credits of up to 25% of qualified expenses with the possibility of an additional 5% or 10% credit for specific expenses.
Numerous Best Picture-nominated movies have been filmed in Los Angeles, including “Her” (2013), “Whiplash” (2014), “La La Land” (2016), “A Star is Born” (2018), “Marriage Story” (2019), and “Promising Young Woman” (2020).
In addition to Oscar-nominated films, LA also produces popular TV series like “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” (1990-1996), “New Girl” (2011-2018), and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (2013-2021).
Miami, FL
Miami’s film office offers cash rebates up to 20% for qualified productions. Miami’s beaches have set the scene for movies like “Baywatch” (2017), and the downtown area is perfect for scenes set in busy areas. Miami has film studios, and the city’s warm weather makes it easy to film outdoor scenes year-round. Miami hosts 18 smaller-scale film festivals, making it a great place for filmmakers to kick off their careers.
In addition to beachy blockbusters, major movies like “Scarface” (1983) and “2 Fast 2 Furious” (2003) were filmed in Miami. “Moonlight” (2016), which won the Oscar for Best Picture in 2016, and the movie adaptation of “Miami Vice” (2006) were also filmed in the Magic City.
New York, NY
There are numerous film studios in New York, most notable of which are Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens, where “Sesame Street” has been filmed since 1969, and Universal Pictures in Midtown Manhattan. In addition to the plethora of film studios, New York State offers up to a 40% tax credit on the expenses of eligible productions. If you’re a movie buff looking to stay up-to-date on the newest productions, the Tribeca Film Festival is one of the biggest indie film festivals, and it’s worth the entry fee to see premieres of award-nominated movies.
Several Best Picture winners were filmed in New York, including “The Godfather” (1972), “Birdman” (2014), and “Anora” (2024). “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (1961), “The Devil Wears Prada” (2006), and “The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013) were also shot in New York, as well as TV series like “30 Rock” (2006-2013), “Gossip Girl” (2007-2012), and “Only Murders in the Building” (2021-).
Philadelphia, PA
The State of Pennsylvania offers up to 30% of qualified expenses in tax credits for eligible productions. If you’re looking to get into the film industry, the monthly Philly Film Showcase screens projects by filmmakers in the Greater Philadelphia Area, and the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival is open to independent filmmakers across the globe.
The entire “Rocky” series and the spinoffs “Creed” (2015) and “Creed II” (2018) were all filmed in Philadelphia. “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (2005-) and “Abbott Elementary (2022-) are two TV series filmed in Philadelphia that recently collaborated on two crossover episodes.
Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City is a great place for filmmakers and movie lovers due to the tax incentives and proximity to the annual Sundance Film Festival. The Utah Film Commission offers a fully refundable tax credit of up to 25% on money spent in Utah, and the Sundance Film Festival, one of the “Big Five” film festivals, takes place in Park City every year.
“The Sandlot” (1993), “Hereditary” (2018), and the “High School Musical” trilogy (2006, 2007, 2008) were all filmed in Salt Lake City. Despite the name, most of “Yellowstone” (2018-2024) was also filmed in the Salt Lake City area.
Santa Fe, NM
MovieMaker.com named Santa Fe the best smaller city for filmmakers in 2024. Between the 25% base tax credit on qualified productions and the Santa Fe International Film Festival (SFiFF), Santa Fe’s film industry is not one to overlook.
“True Grit” (2010), “Thor” (2011), and 2007 Best Picture winner “No Country for Old Men” were all filmed in Santa Fe. Most recently, “Oppenheimer” (2023) was filmed in Santa Fe and nearby Los Alamos and won seven Oscars, including Best Picture.
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