Los Angeles film production decline

In the second quarter of 2026, Los Angeles film and television production fell 13% year‑over‑year, with feature‑film shoot days down about 20% and reality‑TV down 40%. Television drama days dropped 30% YoY but rose 34% quarter‑on‑quarter, partially offsetting the overall downturn. Although California’s tax‑credit program expanded to $750 million and more projects received incentives, the incentives have not stopped the decline in the Los Angeles area, which recorded 4,711 shoot days—13% below the prior year and roughly 36% under the five‑year average. Mayor Karen Bass urged additional incentives, reduced bureaucracy, lower permit fees, and broader eligibility for tax credits, especially for reality series, arguing that the current measures are only beginning to work. Despite the regional slump, the state as a whole saw a 5% rise in film spending and an 11% increase in shooting days, and several box‑office successes were noted during the period.