• International feature film production spend in the UK delivered £1.9 billion, with high-end TV (HETV) inward investment spend delivering £2.8 billion
• Total US inward investment spend in the UK on film represents an 83% increase from 2023’s figures, with HETV UK spend increasing by 25%
• In 2024, British Film Commission bespoke production support to film and HETV projects and companies accounted for:
  • 91% of total US inward investment HETV; and
  • 94% of total US inward investment feature film spend in UK

• World class inward investment feature films and HETV titles contributed to 2024’s growth in spend, including: 
  • How to Train Your Dragon (Universal); The Running Man (Paramount); Bugonia (Square Peg USA/Element Pictures); Peaky Blinders: War (Netflix), Fantastic Four: First Steps (Disney/Marvel), Jurassic World 4 (Universal); Slow Horses seasons 5 and 6 (Apple TV+); Hamnet (Amblin); 28 Years Later (Sony/DNA); Project Hail Mary (Amazon MGM); Bridgerton season 4 (Netflix); Outlander: Blood of my Blood (Sony/Starz); The Crow Girl (Paramount+); A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Hedge Night (HBO)

 

Official film and high-end TV (HETV) production statistics released today (Thursday 06 February, London) by the British Film Institute (BFI) show that production in the UK continues to generate billions for the UK economy.

Recovering from the global impact of 2023’s US SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, inward investment spend in the UK generated by film and HETV production during 2024 reached £4.7 billion, up 43% from 2023’s figures.

 

The British Film Commission (BFC), the UK agency with a remit to attract and support inward investment film and HETV production from major international feature film, HETV and streaming clients, provided production support to productions and companies responsible for 91% of the total US inward investment HETV spend, and 94% of total US inward investment feature film spend in 2024. This included bespoke support to companies responsible for major film and HETV titles such as The Conjuring: Last Rites (Warner Bros./New Line), How to Train Your Dragon (Universal), Black Bag (Focus Features), The Running Man (Paramount), Bugonia (Square Peg UK/Element Pictures), Peaky Blinders: War (Netflix), Citadel season 2 (Amazon), Slow Horses season 5 (Apple TV+).

With total inward investment spend on film increasing 83% from 2023, today’s figures reflect that a robust rate of UK production returned in 2024, as work resumed on inward investment feature films following the suspension of production due to 2023’s industrial action.

A 25% increase in HETV spend from 2023 reflects some degree of impact from the 2023 US industrial action; however, shifting market conditions and broader changes to global content commissioning have also provided the context for a transitional yet positive year for UK production.

 

Adrian Wootton OBE, Chief Executive of the British Film Commission, said:

“Today’s figures reflect the buoyancy and continued growth of our inward investment film and HETV production sector in the UK. After a challenging 2023 due to US strikes, and a slower than expected return to production, these figures reflect the increased inward investment film and HETV production activity we saw in the UK as 2024 gathered pace. So we see 2024 as a transitional year.

“Looking forward, we’re cautiously optimistic. The British Film Commission is experiencing the highest level of inward investment production enquiries for many years. And while we’re still waiting for the market to settle, to reach a ‘new normal’, we have strong support from UK Government, new and enhanced tax credits – including an increased VFX tax credit and the all-new credit for independent films – a world-class skills base and a UK-wide offer of diverse locations and stage space boasting cutting edge facilities.

“The UK remains well-placed to see a competitive share of the global production spend and all signs are that we’ll see strong growth in inward investment film and HETV in coming months.”

 

Ben Roberts, BFI Chief Executive, said:

“The UK’s film and TV industries continue to be a powerhouse for creativity, investment and jobs. After a disrupted 2023, including the impact of US strikes, production spend rebounded to £5.6 billion in 2024 – up 31% on the previous year –  demonstrating the UK’s strength as a world-leading destination for filmmaking. Wicked, made here in the UK, led the box office, following Barbie’s success in 2023, while independent films like Back to Black and One Life helped grow market share.

“At the same time, we know these figures don’t tell the whole story. The 22% drop in domestic HETV spend is a reminder that many in the industry are feeling the pressure, and what happens next will be critical. Continued investment in skills and infrastructure, alongside strong government support is essential to ensuring the UK remains a magnet for international productions while strengthening our independent sector for the future.”

 

UK-wide production hubs spreading growth

The UK’s seven production hubs across its four nations and regions continue to attract major international film and HETV productions due to their first-class studios, internationally recognised crew and infrastructure,versatile locations and production support. As a result, local economies throughout the UK continue to benefit through employment of local crews and direct and multiplier spending. Some of the major inward investment film and HETV productions made in the UK’s nations and regions last year included:

Wales

Young Sherlock, The War Between Land and Sea, Anemone, Hamnet, H is for Hawk, The Man in My Basement

Scotland

28 Years Later, Grow, Frankenstein, Department Q, Outlander Season 8

Northern Ireland

How to Train Your Dragon, World-Breaker, How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Hedge Night

England

North East England – 28 Years Later, Never Seen the Sea

North West England – Bank of Dave 2, House of Guinness, The Choral, CC: Emily, Giant, Maintenance Required, Peaky Blinders:War

South West England – The Dreadful, Down Cemetery Road, The Forsyte Saga, The Crow Girl

London / South East England – After the Hunt, Black Bag, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, Downton Abbey 3, Jurassic World 4, The Diplomat season 3, Project Hail Mary, The Conjuring: Last Rites, Fantastic Four: First Steps, The Running Man, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives out Mystery, Bridgerton season 4, Slow Horses seasons 5 and 6, Christmas Karma.

VFX strengths
As well as productions utilising the UK’s leading studios and diverse and unique locations, many have also made use of the UK’s award-winning VFX and post-production sector. Multiple projects qualified as British purely through UK VFX and post-production spend in 2024, including The Phoenician Scheme, Huntington, The Lost Bus, Sierra Madre, The Beast and Trap House.

With the recent increase in the tax credit for VFX spend in the UK – to 29.25% net rate from 01 January 2025 – productions are now offered even greater incentives to carry out VFX work in the UK. UK VFX costs will also not be subject to the 80% cap on expenditure in the Audio Visual Expenditure Credits (AVEC).

UK-based projects set to begin filming in 2025 include: Masters of the Universe: Revolution, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, the Harry Potter series, Avengers: Doomsday

In 2024, the BFC’s bespoke support facilitated major film and HETV projects by assisting international companies in all areas of production. This included guidance on UK-wide stage space and crew availability, sourcing locations via our network of partners throughout the nations and regions, visa troubleshooting and UK tax relief. The BFC additionally continued to support and promote infrastructure in all four nations of the UK, as well as working closely with Government to ensure the continuation or enhancement of our ‘film-friendly’ policies.

—ENDS—

 

For further press information please contact: 

Lauren Preteceille, Head of Communications and Public Affairs, British Film Commission

E: lauren.preteceille@britishfilmcommission.org.uk  M: +44 (0)7778 607 855

 

Notes to Editors

About the British Film Commission: 

The British Film Commission (BFC) is the UK Government’s national organisation responsible for international film and television production in the UK. Funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Department for Business and Trade and the BFI, the BFC leads on:

• Maximising and supporting the production of major international feature film and high-end television in the UK;
• Strengthening and promoting the UK’s film and television infrastructure;
• Liaising between the Government and the film and television industry on policy issues that impact on production.

With offices in the UK and the US, the BFC provides free tailored production support at the highest level, from the earliest stages of development through to post-production, including guidance on the UK’s lucrative film and television tax reliefs and assistance with sourcing key crew, talent, facilities and locations.

The BFC has industry sponsors who form the membership of the agency’s innovative public/private partnership: Angels Costumes, The Walt Disney Studios, Harbottle & Lewis, HBO, Movie Makers, Netflix, Pinewood Studios, Warner Bros., 3 Mills Studios, BBC Studio Works, DNEG, Elstree Studios, First Stage Studios, Framestore, MPC and Working Title.

The BFC is the national division of Film London www.britishfilmcommission.org.uk

X: @FilmInUK_BFC LinkedIn: British Film Commission

 

About the BFI:

The BFI is the UK’s lead organisation for film, television and the moving image. It is a cultural charity that:

• Curates and presents the greatest international public programme of world cinema for audiences; in cinemas, at festivals and online
• Cares for the BFI National Archive – the most significant film and television archive in the world
• Actively seeks out and supports the next generation of filmmakers
• Works with Government and industry to make the UK the most creatively exciting and prosperous place to make film internationally

Founded in 1933, the BFI is a registered charity governed by Royal Charter.

 

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