2025: Where Have All the Hollywood Production Jobs Gone?

HNY 2025: Where Have All the Hollywood Production Jobs Gone?

Happy New Year, and welcome to 2025—a year predicted to see record-high levels of film and TV productions since the pandemic. But if that's true, why does it feel like production jobs in Hollywood are nowhere to be found?

That is to say, the center of production has shifted. New film and TV job hubs aren't in Hollywood anymore; the new hubs are in Spain, South Korea, and the UK, three countries that are quickly emerging as powerhouses of global content creation.

But make no mistake: Hollywood isn't dead. The box office is hitting highs comparable to last year, and streamers are thriving with record usage and profitability. The issue lies in where productions are being made. Hollywood is no longer the go-to production hub, and here's why.

The Game-Changers Shaping Hollywood's New Reality

Hollywood has embraced four major shifts that have transformed the industry:

1. World-Class Crews Abroad

Production crews in Spain, South Korea, and the UK are every bit as skilled—if not better—than their Hollywood counterparts. They've risen to the challenge of creating world-class content.

2. Global Content Equals Global Success

Shows from these regions have been massive global hits, with audiences around the world tuning in and breaking the barriers for foreign-language content.

3. Lower Costs, Higher Output

It is much cheaper to produce in these countries. Without the same union restrictions, productions can save anywhere between 50% to 75% compared to costs in the U.S.

• Example: Squid Game, produced in South Korea, became Netflix's biggest global hit ever and came at a far lesser price than similar U.S.-based productions.

• Example: Money Heist, produced in Spain, became one of Netflix's top global hits and had a relatively small budget.

4. Vertical Integration Saves Big

Studios and streamers are buying or building their own production facilities in a bid to lower costs by eliminating third-party expenses.

• Netflix recently built studios in New Mexico and New Jersey.

• Amazon purchased Culver Studios in Los Angeles.

What This Means for Hollywood (and Beyond)

As a result, production jobs in traditional hubs like California, Canada, and Georgia have slowed while Spain, South Korea, and the UK are thriving. However, this isn’t exactly “outsourcing” as most productions abroad are localized content—stories rooted in their own cultures and languages.

• Example: Money Heist takes place in Spain and is in Spanish.

• Example: Squid Game is set in Korea and spoken in Korean.

For the first time, foreign-language shows are not merely regional hits; they are global sensations. Hollywood is booming; it's just that so much of the action isn't taking place in Hollywood anymore.

A Look Back at Production Hubs Over the Decades

Hollywood has always been an evolving industry. Here's a brief snapshot of where the dominant production hubs have been over time:

1940s–1990s: California

1990–2010: Canada

2010–2023: Georgia

2023–Present: Spain, South Korea, and the UK

The New Age of Digital Entertainment

We’re living in a global entertainment age where productions are made for worldwide audiences. With stars relocating away from California during the pandemic and tax incentives lacking, Hollywood is no longer the heart of production it once was. Instead, it’s embracing a decentralized, global approach to content creation.

Hollywood is thriving—it’s just not always in Hollywood.