Fresh off the box office triumph of Superman, Ohio is doubling down on its bid to become a national production hub. The state’s Department of Development has awarded $46 million in Motion Picture Tax Credits to 27 film, TV, theatrical and digital media projects slated to shoot across 14 communities — an investment projected to generate over $150 million in in-state spending and $196 million in total production-related expenses.

The program, which offers a 30% refundable credit on qualifying in-state wages and expenditures, is awarded twice annually and capped at $50 million per year. State officials say the latest round will create more than 1,000 crew jobs and hundreds of vendor opportunities statewide.

“When productions choose Ohio, they put our communities on the global stage,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development. “Through the Motion Picture Tax Credit Program, we’re telling Ohio’s story to the world while creating new jobs and growing local economies.”

Big-Budget Features Lead the Pack

Cleveland will host Spain Thief — possibly a working title — which received the largest single award at $10.53 million, indicating a local budget north of $35 million. Other notable feature recipients include Sunny ($8.48M, Canton), 10 Cent ($3.65M, North Canton) and The Christmastyme Traveller ($3.06M, North Canton).

Actor-director Michael Cera will shoot his comedy Love is Not the Answer in Cincinnati with Pamela Anderson starring, backed by a $1.54M award. The Queen City also lands Synthetic ($1.28M) and The Chaperones ($2.86M), while nearby Middletown will host The Darker Side ($205K).

Television and Live Entertainment

Professional wrestling is a major winner this cycle, with AEW securing $2.13M and WWE earning $1.09M for productions in Cleveland. Lorain will see The Guest List — an unscripted miniseries — claim $3.04M. Other TV projects include Gabriel and the Guardians ($2.01M, Columbus) and Nickelodeon’s Triple Dare ($135K, Worthington).

On the live entertainment front, Broadway tours of Hell’s Kitchen ($1.35M), Spamalot ($1.04M) and The Notebook ($613K) will launch from Cleveland’s Playhouse Square, with Elf the Musical ($463K) kicking off in Springfield.

Growing Profile After ‘Superman’

The awards cap a high-profile summer for Ohio’s production scene. Cleveland, Mentor and Cincinnati doubled as Metropolis in Superman, which has grossed more than $581 million worldwide. Hulu’s Eenie Meanie, filmed in Cleveland, Sandusky and Toledo, premieres Aug. 22.

Bill Garvey, president of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, said the latest funding “secures over $95 million in production investment and jobs for Northeast Ohio” and reinforces the region’s reputation as a go-to production destination.

With its diverse locations, growing crew base, and competitive tax incentives, Ohio is aiming to turn the momentum from Superman into a steady pipeline of major productions — and the latest $46 million bet suggests the state is playing for keeps.