Ireland's film spending hits $632.7 million as US productions shift

Production spending in Ireland reached a record $632.7 million in 2025, a 26% jump from the previous year, according to Screen Ireland.

This surge coincides with a historic low for filming activity in Los Angeles. In 2025, 45% of all U.S. films and scripted television shows were shot internationally, up from approximately 33% in 2022.

Ireland has become a primary destination for these shifting productions, attracting major American series and game shows. The country's tax incentives, lower operational costs, and experienced crews have driven the expansion.

Several high-profile titles have relocated to Irish facilities. Apple TV+'s sci-fi series "Foundation" was filmed at Troy Studios, the country's largest and newest soundstage complex. The series was shot in a former Dell Computer factory in Limerick that opened nine years ago.

Game shows have also moved to the country. "The Floor," hosted by Rob Lowe, relocated to Troy Studios for its sixth and upcoming seventh seasons. Lowe previously noted on his podcast that it is cheaper to transport 100 American crew members to Ireland than to walk across the Fox lot in Los Angeles.

Recent American productions filming in Ireland include the USA Network series "The Rainmaker," which wrapped its second season in Dublin. Netflix shot its third season of "Wednesday" in Dublin and Wicklow, while A24's film "The Riders," starring Brad Pitt, filmed across the country last summer.

Blumhouse Productions has also shot multiple projects in the region. These include the recently released film "Other Mommy" and the upcoming Amazon MGM Studios horror movie "Seasons," which is set in Idaho but filming in County Wicklow.

The shift has created a "green wave" of activity, according to local producers. Ruth Treacy, co-founder of Dublin-based Tailored Films, described the post-pandemic surge as "absolutely crazy." Her company co-produced the 2024 biographical drama "The Apprentice."

Screen Ireland has invested nearly $170 million over the last five years into film, television, animation, and training. The agency expanded its tax credit program this year to include visual effects and post-production uplifts. It also became the first European country to offer a dedicated credit for unscripted content, providing a 20% refundable credit capped at $16.8 million per project.

The national film agency has established an office in the same building as Ireland's Los Angeles consulate to maintain relationships with the U.S. industry. Désirée Finnegan, chief executive of Screen Ireland, stated that the investment in talent is a strategic priority for the filmmaker-driven organization.

The animation sector has also grown, with nearly 50 studios now employing about 2,500 staffers. Many of these studios partner with major distributors like Disney, Netflix, and Nickelodeon. Cartoon Saloon, founded in 1999 in Kilkenny, remains a key player, having produced Oscar-nominated films such as "The Secret of Kells" and "Wolfwalkers."