Hollywood production fell by over 16 percent in Los Angeles shoot days compared to 2024

Los Angeles film production decline

Hollywood is facing a tough time as cameras stop rolling across Los Angeles. On January 15, 2026, FilmLA reported that on-location shoot days fell 16.1 percent during 2025. This reflects one of the lowest annual totals reported outside of the pandemic.

The total for 2025 was 19,694 shoot days compared to 23,480 in 2024. Many workers in the movie business are worried about their jobs. The city is trying hard to bring back the big studios and independent filmmakers to the local streets.

Television production hits five-year low

Television activity dropped significantly in 2025. FilmLA data shows production was 50.1% below the five-year average. In the fourth quarter, only 1,247 television shoot days were recorded.

This reflects a sustained contraction for both scripted series and unscripted projects. Fewer shows are being made in California now. This decline makes it harder for actors and crew members to find steady work in their home cities.

Reality TV sees sharpest activity drop

Reality shows used to be a large part of filming in Los Angeles. However, in 2025, the number of reality TV shoot days in the region dropped significantly. This category finished the year 49.7 percent lower than its five-year average.

Producers are moving these shows to other places or cutting budgets. The loss of these shows takes away many entry-level jobs for young people in Hollywood. Experts are watching to see if these shows return to the local area soon.

Feature film category experiences double-digit decline

Big movies are also being shot in different locations. For the full year of 2025, feature film production in Los Angeles recorded only 1,999 shoot days. This total is 31.7 percent below the five-year average for movies.

On January 15, 2026, experts noted that many big movies are filmed in locations with more favorable tax incentives. Without these big projects, local businesses like catering and equipment rentals lose money.

The city is working on new ways to make filming more affordable for all movie studios, keeping the local industry alive.

Late 2025 brings a small rebound

There was a tiny bit of good news at the very end of 2025. Between October and December 2025, on-location filming rose to 4,625 shoot days. This was a 5.6 percent increase from the previous three-month period that ended in September.

This is better than the summer months but 21% lower than 2024. Leaders hope this small gain signals a 2026 comeback. The city is working to ease street access for crews next year.

Tax credits aim to help Hollywood

California is using a new plan to bring movie jobs back. Started in July 2025, the state expanded its tax credit program to $750 million per year. This program helps cover some of the costs of producing a shoot.

FilmLA reported 119 projects awarded incentives, accounting for 13% of filming days in late 2025. Officials believe this will support thousands of families in the state’s film industry for years to come.

Global competition hurts local filming

Los Angeles is no longer the only place to make a movie. Under California’s Film & TV Tax Credit Program 4.0, qualifying productions may receive refundable or transferable credits of up to 35 percent.

Many shows are moving from Hollywood, making competition more challenging for local crews. The state responded by raising the annual cap from $330 million to $750 million.

TV drama production sees major slump

Drama shows are a staple of television, but they are struggling in L.A. In the last three months of 2025, TV drama filming fell 36.4 percent compared to 2024. For the whole year, drama production was 43.3 percent below the five-year average.

Some shows, like “The Rookie,” were still being filmed in the city in late 2025. About 31 percent of these drama shoot days used state tax credits to help pay for the work. These credits are vital to keeping high-quality dramas in California.

Comedy shows find some small success

Comedy shows had a slightly better time than dramas in late 2025. During the final quarter of the year, TV comedy filming only dropped 6 percent compared to 2024. Some popular shows like “Hacks” were filmed on location during this time.

However, the total for the year was still 66 percent below the five-year average. New rules now allow shorter comedy episodes to get tax credits. This change might help more funny shows stay in Los Angeles in the coming years.

Commercial filming loses local ground

Commercials for toys, cars, and food are also being filmed less often in Los Angeles. Commercials do not get tax credits in California. In the fourth quarter of 2025, commercial production fell 23.2 percent compared to 2024.

For the full year, the category was 35.3 percent below the five-year average. This sector provides many quick jobs for local crew members who need work. Fewer ads are being filmed on local streets due to high costs and a lack of state incentives.

Sound stage demand starts to fade

Los Angeles has built many new sound stages to keep up with the demand for streaming shows. However, by late 2025, production had slowed down so much that some stages remained empty.

From the second quarter of 2019 to the second quarter of 2024, entertainment jobs in California fell by 15 percent. Sound stage occupancy declined to 63 percent by 2024. The industry is now adjusting to fewer total shows.

Economic impact on the community

When filming stops, many local businesses lose money. FilmLA reported that the annual total of 19,694 shoot days was a sharp decline from 2024. The industry is a significant part of the local economy.

In 2023, the entertainment industry had average weekly earnings of $30.84 per hour. Because there were 3,786 fewer shoot days in 2025 than in 2024, the city felt a financial loss.

This affects everyone from restaurant owners to people who rent cameras and other equipment to movie crews working in Hollywood.

Curious about what’s driving this trend? Check out Los Angeles just lost more residents than any U.S. city – for the fourth year running.

Future outlook for 2026 production

Industry leaders are looking ahead to 2026 with a mix of hope and worry. FilmLA stated that dozens of projects with tax credits will start filming soon. These projects have 180 days to begin after they get their official awards.

This could help the city recover from the 16.1 percent drop seen in 2025. While the recovery is slow, the new state laws and city efforts are meant to help. Everyone is waiting to see if more cameras start rolling across the city soon.

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What’s your take on Hollywood’s production decline? Drop your thoughts below!

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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