Move over, Hollywood — the Garden State is getting all the attention.

Paramount Pictures is making a major East Coast play, signing a 10-year lease for more than 285,000 square feet at the soon-to-open 1888 Studios in Bayonne, New Jersey — a massive 58-acre production campus being hailed as the largest purpose-built film facility in the region. The move solidifies New Jersey’s transformation into one of North America’s most competitive production hubs, as global players like Netflix and Lionsgate continue to bet big on the state’s booming entertainment infrastructure.

Developed by Togus Urban Renewal, the 1.1 million-square-foot 1888 Studios will feature 23 soundstages, all with 40-foot ceilings, plus office and postproduction facilities, a backlot, and full-service amenities. Paramount will serve as an anchor tenant and is expected to apply for New Jersey’s top-tier “Film-Lease Partner” designation, which grants up to 40% in tax credits for qualified productions filmed in the state.

“Scaling production is central to our long-term strategy,” said Andy Gordon, Paramount’s Chief Operating Officer. “Thanks to highly competitive tax credit programs like New Jersey’s, the tri-state area is more attractive than ever before as we work together to create new jobs and empower more domestic production for America’s creative workforce.”

The move comes just months after Netflix broke ground on its own $1 billion studio complex at Fort Monmouth, a 292-acre redevelopment project that will feature 12 soundstages totaling nearly 500,000 square feet, alongside community spaces and local vendor partnerships. “We estimate these studios will create thousands of jobs for New Jersey residents and billions of dollars in economic output,” said Ted Sarandos, Netflix co-CEO, at the groundbreaking ceremony earlier this year.

Governor Phil Murphy, who has made film and television production a cornerstone of his economic strategy, praised both studios’ investments. “As the birthplace of the motion picture industry, New Jersey couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Paramount and Netflix to the Garden State,” he said. “These projects cement our reputation as a global leader in film and television, bringing new jobs, new opportunities, and a vibrant creative ecosystem to New Jersey.”

Together, Paramount’s expansion into Bayonne and Netflix’s investment in Fort Monmouth represent a turning point for East Coast production — signaling that New Jersey is no longer the underdog in the race for top-tier film and television projects. With its generous incentives, proximity to New York, and billion-dollar infrastructure now underway, the state isn’t just competing with California and Georgia — it’s aiming to outshine them.