Netflix has officially launched a major new production hub worth $900 million in central New Jersey.
The Netflix Studios at Fort Monmouth will transform some long-awaited military bases into a sprawling 500,000 square feet of facilities including soundstages, backlots, post-production suites, and office spaces.
A contract signed for a new campus in Eatontown signals an important expansion on the East Coast for the streaming service. This move has been supported by a substantial tax credit of $387 million, according to state officials.
New Jersey’s film and digital media tax credits can cover up to 35% of production costs and offer as much as 40% for digital post-production.
California’s position as the nation’s film hub has been slipping in recent years, while studios have opted for more favorable tax environments in places like Georgia and the UK.
“We’re kicking California’s ass,” remarked New Jersey Senator Declan O’Scanlon, who emphasized the state’s ongoing efforts to draw in film and TV productions. He acknowledged having been initially doubtful about the tax credit initiative, admitting, “I was wrong.”
At the rain-soaked site, Sarandos described the project as a blend of passion and business, revealing, “I fell in love with the idea from my first conversation with [Governor] Phil Murphy.”
He expressed hopes that the studio will provide thousands of jobs for locals, generate billions in economic activity, and yield numerous cultural benefits for both the local community and the state.
Though originally from New Jersey, Sarandos stressed that the choice to establish the hub here was driven by economic factors rather than emotional ties.
A recent report listed New Jersey as sixth in the U.S. for film and television production, with $536 million spent over the last year, trailing only California, New York, Illinois, New Mexico, and Georgia.
Governor Murphy, who attended the ceremony in a Netflix-branded director’s chair, praised the state’s film incentive program as “the best in the nation” and noted it has been extended through June 30, 2039.
“This isn’t about us,” Murphy said. “It’s about future generations.”
Netflix has already filmed seven projects in New Jersey and is expected to ramp up its activities once the Fort Monmouth facility opens in 2028.
Monmouth County Commissioner Thomas Arnone assured the company of a streamlined permitting process, saying, “We’ll make this simple for you.”
