Films and television shows produced in Wilmington, North Carolina

Film and television shot/produced in Wilmington are usually independent and/or low-budget films mainly due to Wilmington, North Carolina being relatively more affordable than other cities to film in. Other reasons for Wilmington's appeal include the local university (UNCW), its location on the coast, the presence of historic buildings/sites, and vast swamps and waterways outside of Wilmington.[1] It has remained the largest film production area in North Carolina since the 1980s.[2]

Producer Dino De Laurentiis first came to Wilmington to film Firestarter in 1984.[3] He would later create De Laurentiis Entertainment Group and founded its headquarters in Wilmington. After the company declared bankruptcy and eventual closing in 1989, its studio in Wilmington was sold to EUE/Screen Gems.[4]

In 2013, Marvel's Iron Man 3 was released to theaters; some places used in the film were the Port of Wilmington, Cape Fear River, and New Hanover Regional Medical Center.[5] This film has remained the largest film to be produced in Wilmington. In the mid-2010s the city's desirability faded due to the North Carolina General Assembly not extending film incentives and Governor Pat McCrory signing the controversial HB2 bill.[6] Most of the business went to Atlanta, Georgia, where EUE/Screen Gems also has a studio.[7][8] Around the early 2020s, after the COVID-19 lockdown, filming in the city began to increase again with 2022 being its biggest year to date.[9][10] That same year, Dark Horse Studios planned a 20 million dollar expansion to their studio in Wilmington.[11]

On September 27, 2023, it was announced that Cinespace Studios had purchased two EUE/Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington and Atlanta, Georgia.[12]

As of 2020, 138 Films and 162 Television shows have been shot in the city.[3] Some nicknames for the city are "Wilmywood" and "Hollywood of the East" or "Hollywood East".[13][14]