When Netflix executives, state officials and giant excavators converged on Fort Monmouth this week, it marked more than a ceremonial demolition.
The groundbreaking launched Netflix New Jersey studio, a nearly $900 million investment that aims to convert a 300-acre former Army base into the streaming giant’s East-Coast flagship.
If all goes as planned, the Garden State may soon compete with Hollywood, Atlanta and New York as a must-book destination for film and TV crews.
From Army Signals to Netflix Signals
Fort Monmouth once handled military communications; its closure in 2011 drained thousands of jobs from Eatontown and Oceanport. For 14 years, empty barracks and warehouses stretched along Route 35. Now, 85 of those structures are slated for removal, making room for:
- 12 purpose-built soundstages (some up to 60,000 sq ft)
- Backlot streetscapes for exterior shoots
- Postproduction suites, prop and costume shops
- A visitor center that could double as a film-industry training hub
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos called the studio “our most ambitious build outside California,” projecting thousands of permanent and construction jobs over the next decade. Eight existing buildings—one less than 25 years old—will be renovated first, allowing limited production work to start before the full campus opens in 2028.
Why Netflix Picked New Jersey
1. Aggressive Tax Incentives
Governor Phil Murphy has leaned hard into expanding New Jersey’s Film & Digital Media Tax Credit. The program now stretches through 2039 and offers:
- 30 – 35 percent transferable credits on qualified expenses
- A 2 percent diversity bonus for productions that employ women or people of color in key roles
- Generous breaks for building permanent infrastructure—exactly what the Netflix New Jersey studio requires
Murphy called the project “proof that our incentive package works,” adding that it will “anchor a new production corridor from Trenton to the Shore.”
2. Location, Location, Location
Fort Monmouth sits one hour from Manhattan and Newark Liberty International Airport, yet enjoys suburban space unheard of in the five boroughs. Productions gain:
- Coastal, small-town and urban looks within a 30-mile radius
- Access to New York’s acting pool without New York City’s logistics headaches
- Space to park fleets of trailers—essential for today’s big-budget series
3. Local Workforce Readiness
New Jersey high schools and community colleges already funnel graduates into IATSE unions for grip, electrical and scenic work. Netflix has pledged partnerships with Brookdale Community College and Rutgers University to expand training in VFX, set construction and digital editing.
Economic Ripple Effects
Officials predict $4.6 billion in total economic output over 20 years, including:
| Sector | Short-Term Construction | Long-Term Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Jobs | 3,500 | 1,500 |
| Local Spending | $895 M | $425 M |
| Tourism Impact | N/A | 150,000 visitors |
Kara Kopach, executive director of the Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority, said, “Mom-and-pop shops near the base used to thrive on soldiers’ payroll. Netflix brings a different customer—but a steady one.”
What Productions Could Land First?
Netflix has not announced specific titles, but industry chatter suggests:
- A third season of Wednesday—its gothic sets suit a soundstage plus Jersey’s foggy coastline.
- Portions of the Stranger Things spinoff, leveraging backlot Americana streets.
- A yet-untitled crime limited series from New York showrunner Lee Daniels, attracted by proximity to the city.
Because some stages will open ahead of the full build, small-scale shoots could start as early as 2026.
Challenges Ahead
- Infrastructure Upgrades: Route 35 traffic already clogs during summer beach season. Netflix and Monmouth County will share costs to widen lanes and add a new NJ Transit shuttle.
- Housing Pressure: Thousands of crew members could strain rental markets; local councils are fast-tracking mixed-use developments.
- Hollywood Volatility: Last year’s strikes proved how quickly productions can freeze. Netflix’s multi-phase plan spreads risk but will still rely on favorable labor agreements.
A Preview of “East-Coast Hollywood”?
New Jersey isn’t starting from zero. West Orange’s Glen Ridge Studio hosted Joker: Folie à Deux, and Kearny Pointhas doubled for Gotham.
Still, the scale of the Netflix New Jersey studio dwarfs previous builds. If successful, it could ignite a “Studio Race” reminiscent of Georgia’s 2010s boom—especially with New York State mulling its own incentive expansion.
Conclusion: Lights, Camera, (Garden) Action
By turning a dormant base into a creative powerhouse, the Netflix New Jersey studio signals a new era for East-Coast production. For locals starved of economic activity since Fort Monmouth’s closure, the project offers hope—and maybe a cameo as an extra. For Hollywood, it’s a reminder that the next blockbuster backdrop might be the Jersey Shore, not Santa Monica.
As demolition crews clear the last barracks and the first soundstage walls rise, one thing seems certain: New Jersey is ready for its close-up.
