Ireland's Film Industry Hits Record High as Hollywood Spends Move Abroad

Ireland's production spending hit a record $632.7 million in 2025, a 26% increase over the previous year, according to Screen Ireland. The surge coincides with a historic decline in filming activity in Los Angeles. Last year, 45% of all U.S. films and scripted television shows were shot internationally. That figure rose from approximately 33% in 2022.

Studios have shifted operations to Ireland to access stable tax incentives and lower costs. The country offers a 32% refundable tax credit on eligible expenditures. This year, Ireland expanded the program to include visual effects and post-production uplifts. It also became the first European nation to support dedicated unscripted content with a 20% refundable credit capped at $16.8 million per project.

American productions now dominate the local schedule. Netflix filmed the third season of Wednesday around Dublin and Wicklow. Apple TV+ shot its science fiction series Foundation at Troy Studios in Limerick. The USA Network completed the second season of The Rainmaker in Dublin. A24 filmed The Riders across the country in the summer. Blumhouse Productions is currently shooting its horror film Seasons in County Wicklow.

Game shows have followed the trend. Rob Lowe hosts the trivia show The Floor, which relocated to Troy Studios for its sixth and seventh seasons. Lowe noted on his podcast that it is cheaper to bring 100 American people to Ireland than to walk across the lot at Fox. His comments summarized the frustration within the Los Angeles industry over runaway production.

The demand has strained local resources. Filmmakers report a shortage of lenses, edit bays, and left-driving cars. Ruth Treacy, a producer at Dublin-based Tailored Films, described the situation as a green wave. She noted that productions often shoot the U.S. in Ireland, a technique that works well for American networks.

Screen Ireland has invested nearly $170 million in the sector over the last five years. The agency established a Los Angeles office in 2021 to strengthen ties with the U.S. entertainment industry. The expansion has supported a growing animation sector. Ireland now has nearly 50 animation studios employing about 2,500 staff. Many of these studios partner with Disney, Netflix, and Nickelodeon.

The shift has also boosted support services. Mark Maher opened Odyssey Studios in Limerick in 2017. The company supplies miniatures and props to major productions. It also operates a training academy for local talent. Maher said there is a surge in activity in Ireland. The country ranks in the top five preferred filming spots globally, behind New York, the United Kingdom, California, and Georgia.