‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps,’ the first in a wave of upcoming Marvel superhero projects, was mostly filmed in the UK|@MarvelStudios|X

Georgia’s film industry, once considered the “Hollywood of the South,” is rapidly shrinking as studios relocate productions overseas.

During the 2010s and early 2020s, local crews thrived, with steady work on blockbuster projects that supported nearly 20,000 jobs statewide, according to a 2023 Georgia State University study.

At its peak, film and television spending generated billions annually and transformed Atlanta into a global production hub.

The shift

Now, rising labor costs and health insurance expenses have pushed major studios to the UK, where wages are lower and tax credits remain competitive. 

Industry spending in Georgia has fallen nearly 50% in the past three years. In 2022, over 400 projects were filmed in the state; by June this year, that number dropped to just 245.

The decline mirrors broader industry cuts
Across the US, 29% fewer big-budget projects (above $40 million) began filming in 2024 compared with 2022, while production in the UK grew 16%.

A clear sign of the shift came with The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the first in a wave of upcoming Marvel superhero projects, which was filmed mostly in the UK.

Officials hope the downturn is temporary, but workers fear Georgia’s entertainment boom may have ended far faster than it began.