New Jersey's film and television production sector has been growing for years, and 2026 is by most measures the most active year in the state's production history. Here is a guide to the confirmed productions that have filmed or are filming in New Jersey in 2026.
Why New Jersey's Film Production Is Booming
Several factors have converged to make New Jersey a top-tier production location. The state's production incentive program provides transferable tax credits for qualifying productions that spend in New Jersey. The variety of locations in a compact geography is unmatched: urban cityscapes in Newark and Jersey City, period-appropriate streetscapes in dozens of North Jersey towns, suburban neighborhoods, waterfront locations along the Hudson and Atlantic, historic sites, and the full Shore range. And the operational infrastructure — established crew bases, production facilities, location libraries, and the NJ Motion Picture and Television Commission's active support — has made New Jersey a reliable and efficient production environment.
Major 2026 Productions in New Jersey
Happy Gilmore 2 (Netflix) filmed across more than 20 New Jersey municipalities, confirmed by the NJ Film Commission. Locations included Bedminster, Belleville, Bloomfield, Clifton, Closter, Demarest, Florham Park, Hackensack, Irvington, Kearny, Middletown, Newark, North Arlington, Readington, Secaucus, South Orange, Verona, Washington Township (Morris), Wayne, and West Orange. The Adam Sandler sequel represents one of the largest single-production geographic footprints in recent NJ film history.
72 Hours (Netflix, Kevin Hart) filmed in Jersey City, Hoboken, and Long Branch — with parts of New Jersey standing in for Miami.
Severance (Apple TV+) has used New Jersey locations in its ongoing production, with the Montclair, Wyckoff, and Parsippany area specifically cited in local coverage.
A Complete Unknown (Bob Dylan biopic) received an LMGI nomination for Outstanding Film Commission for its New Jersey location work — specifically recognizing the NJ Motion Picture and Television Commission's support.
The Walking Dead Franchise Spin-Off (AMC) used Meadowlands Arena and North Jersey locations, continuing the franchise's long relationship with New Jersey filming.
The NJ Film Ready Communities Program
In March 2026, 15 additional municipalities joined the Film Ready New Jersey program, bringing the total to a new high. Film Ready municipalities have completed training to streamline permitting and logistics for hosting productions — making it faster and easier for productions to use identified NJ locations. This operational efficiency is one reason NJ's production count continues to grow: it's not just incentives, it's logistics.
The Film Trails Connection
The productions filming in NJ in 2026 are building the next generation of film tourism content. The NJ Film Trails platform, launched in fall 2026 (see WAJ's full guide), already reflects the state's screen history — and the 2026 productions currently in post-production will, when released, add new filming locations for future visitors to explore. Happy Gilmore 2's North Jersey footprint spans communities that haven't historically been film tourism destinations; the trail's ongoing expansion will likely capture these new sites as the film releases and viewers seek out its locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Happy Gilmore 2 filming in New Jersey? More than 20 municipalities including Newark, Irvington, South Orange, Montclair, Hackensack, Secaucus, and others confirmed by the NJ Motion Picture Commission.
What TV shows are filming in New Jersey in 2026? Confirmed productions include Severance (Apple TV+) and the Walking Dead franchise spin-off (AMC), among others. Check nj.gov/njfilm for current production information.
How does a production film in New Jersey? Productions work with the NJ Motion Picture and Television Commission (NJEDA) to access location resources, production incentives, and Film Ready Community support. The commission's website at nj.gov/njfilm is the starting point.
