The basics:

• ‘Disclosure Day‘ generates $34M in New Jersey spending
• Production hired more than 1,800 crew members
• Filming took place in 10 municipalities across six counties
• New Jersey recorded $834M in production spending in 2024

New Jersey is again at the center of a major Hollywood production, with Steven Spielberg‘s latest science-fiction thriller, “Disclosure Day,” generating an estimated $34 million in in-state spending while filming across 10 municipalities and six counties. The tallies underscore the gaining economic impact of large-scale film production in the state.

The film, which premieres in theaters June 12, also hired more than 1,800 crew members during its New Jersey shoot, according to state officials. The milestones further highlight the role of the state’s film industry in driving jobs and local economic activity.

Ahead of its release, special advance screenings celebrated “Disclosure Day” in New Jersey. Events included a June 8 showing at the Cranford Theater as well as a June 10 screening at the AMC Monmouth Mall hosted by Choose New Jersey and the New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission in partnership with Universal Pictures.

Here, there, everywhere

According to the NJMPTVC, filming took place over 23 days in communities including Newark, Jersey City, Woodbridge, Morris Township, Montville, Mendham Township, Hanover Township, Buena Vista, Upper Township and Woodbine.

The production also transformed New Jersey locations into stand-ins for Kansas, Missouri and Maryland, highlighting the state’s growing appeal as a flexible filming destination for major studio projects.

The film stars Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor and Colin Firth. It follows an alien invasion storyline, marking Spielberg’s return to the genre that previously brought him to New Jersey for “War of the Worlds” (2005).

Watch the official ‘Disclosure Day’ trailer, courtesy of Universal Pictures:

“It’s a thrill to have Steven Spielberg choose New Jersey once again to film another one of his sci-fi productions,” said Evan Weiss, CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. “New Jersey’s film tax incentive program is helping attract major productions, like ‘Disclosure Day’, which is supporting small businesses and creating jobs across the state.

“We look forward to continuing to bring new productions to the state to support Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s mission to strengthen our economy and deliver real economic impact for communities and families.”

Movie magic

State officials say the production reflects broader momentum in New Jersey’s film sector, which has surged since the reinstatement of the Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program.

In 2024, in-state production spending reached an estimated $834 million, surpassing the previous record of $701 million set in 2022. A total of 556 productions filmed in New Jersey last year, generating more than 31,000 crew hires.

Jon Crowley, executive director of the New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission, said the state’s mix of urban centers, small towns and infrastructure helped secure the production.

“Disclosure Day was headed to another state to film, but the Film Commission was able to show Spielberg’s team that New Jersey had the big cities and rural towns the script called for,” Crowley said. “New Jersey is also home to a privately owned railway necessary for a pivotal scene in the movie.

Jersey has become a major one-stop shop for any filmmaker’s needs.
—Jon Crowley, executive director, NJMPTVC

In addition, the state’s deep talent pool and film infrastructure keep productions coming back, making it a national leader in the industry. Jersey has become a major one-stop shop for any filmmaker’s needs.”

As NJBIZ has extensively reported, the film’s New Jersey presence comes as the state continues to expand its entertainment footprint, with Netflix, Lionsgate and the planned 1888 Studios/Paramount Global facilities among those investing in long-term production operations in the state.

Officials say those investments, combined with tax incentives and a growing workforce, are positioning New Jersey as a major East Coast hub for film and television production.