The UK and Ireland are experiencing an unprecedented boom in film and high-end television production, with 2026 shaping up to be a landmark year for the entertainment industry across both nations. Major studios like Sony, Warner Bros, Amazon MGM, Netflix, HBO, and Apple TV+ have significantly increased their investment, securing extensive bookings at premier facilities such as Pinewood, Shepperton, Leavesden, and Troy Studios. This surge is driven by robust fiscal incentives, including the UK’s Independent Film Tax Credit, and a highly skilled local workforce.

This year, audiences can anticipate a diverse slate of projects, ranging from highly anticipated superhero blockbusters and epic fantasy adaptations to gritty crime dramas and beloved children’s stories. The sheer volume and star power attached to these productions underscore the regions’ status as global creative hubs, attracting top-tier talent both in front of and behind the camera. The economic ripple effect is substantial, fostering growth in local economies and solidifying the UK and Ireland’s reputation for world-class cinematic and televisual output.

Major Film Productions Dominating UK & Ireland

Hollywood’s biggest names are converging on the UK and Ireland for a packed 2026 film schedule. Sony Pictures is set to release *28 Years Later: The Bone Temple* on January 16, with filming spanning North East England, North West England, Scotland, and Yorkshire. This horror sequel, directed by Nia DaCosta and produced by franchise mainstays Alex Garland and Danny Boyle, sees original star Cillian Murphy return as executive producer alongside Ralph Fiennes and Jack O’Connell in leading roles.

A24 is bringing a dark rethinking of a classic with *The Death of Robin Hood*, shot at Belfast Harbour Studios in Northern Ireland. Directed by Michael Sarnoski, the thriller stars Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer in a gritty take on the outlaw’s story. Studiocanal’s adaptation of Enid Blyton’s *The Magic Faraway Tree*, featuring Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy, and Nicola Coughlan, filmed in South East England and Shadowbox Studios Shinfield, is slated for a March 27 UK release.

Amazon MGM has two major releases: *Masters of the Universe* on June 5, filmed across Sky Studios Elstree, London, and South West England, starring Nicholas Galitzine and Idris Elba. Also from Amazon MGM, *Project Hail Mary*, an adaptation of Andy Weir’s sci-fi novel starring Ryan Gosling, filmed at Shepperton Studios and is set for March 20. Universal’s *The Odyssey*, Christopher Nolan’s epic take on the Greek myth, filmed in Scotland and stars Matt Damon, Tom Holland, and Zendaya, arriving July 17.

Warner Bros. has a busy year, including *Practical Magic 2* on September 18, filmed at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden with returning stars Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock. DC’s *Supergirl: Woman Of Tomorrow*, an origin story starring Milly Alcock, also filmed at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden and Scotland, is scheduled for June 26. Matt Reeves’ highly anticipated *The Batman Part II*, starring Robert Pattinson and Colin Farrell, began shooting in London and Liverpool in June.

Netflix is venturing into feature films with *Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man*, directed by Tom Harper and starring Cillian Murphy, which filmed at Digbeth Loc. Studios, North West England, the Midlands, and North Wales, and streams March 20. Sony and Marvel’s *Spider-Man: Brand New Day*, with Tom Holland reprising his role and Destin Daniel Cretton directing, filmed at Pinewood Studios, London, South East England, and Scotland, and swings into cinemas July 31. This marks the second Spider-Man film to shoot in the UK, following 2019’s *Far From Home*.

Other notable film productions include Chad Stahelski’s *Highlander* reboot starring Henry Cavill, which began filming in London and Scotland in January, and Alex Garland’s *Elden Ring* adaptation, featuring Kit Connor and Cailee Spaeny, currently shooting across England and Scotland. Sam Mendes’ ambitious *The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event*, with Harris Dickinson, Paul Mescal, Barry Keoghan, and Joseph Quinn portraying the iconic band members, has been filming in London and Liverpool since November.

High-End TV Series Expanding Beloved Universes

The small screen is equally vibrant, with a host of high-end TV series choosing the UK and Ireland as their production base. HBO’s *A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms*, a *Game of Thrones* prequel starring Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell, premiered January 18 and filmed at Titanic Studios in Northern Ireland. A second season of this popular series began shooting in December at Belfast Studios.

Netflix continues its strong presence with several major series. *The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 3* from Amazon MGM, filmed at Shepperton Studios and South West England, is expected in 2026, continuing the epic war between Elves and Sauron. Apple TV+ is also heavily invested, with *Silo Season 3* starring Rebecca Ferguson, filmed at OMA Studios and Hoddesdon Studios, and *Slow Horses Season 6*, featuring Gary Oldman, Jack Lowden, and Kristin Scott Thomas, filmed in London and South East England. Both are slated for a 2026 broadcast. In fact, *Slow Horses* has already begun filming its seventh and eighth seasons in London since October.

Disney+ is bringing back Steven Knight’s *A Thousand Blows Season 2* on January 9, returning to 1880s East End London, filmed at Storyworks Studios. *Rivals Season 2*, adapting Jilly Cooper’s novel, also from Disney+, is set to pick up from its first series cliffhanger, with returning stars David Tennant and Aidan Turner, filmed at TBY2 in South West England.

Other significant TV productions include the final season of Sony/Starz’s long-running *Outlander Season 8*, starring Caitríona Balfe and Sam Heughan, filmed at Wardpark Studios in Scotland. HBO’s *Industry Season 4*, following financial hotshots in London, is filming at Wolf Studios in Wales. Amazon MGM’s *Young Sherlock*, directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Hero Fiennes Tiffin, is shooting at Great Point Studios in Wales and South West England.

Netflix’s *Wednesday* Season 3, starring Jenna Ortega and Catherine Zeta-Jones, began filming in Ireland in March, while *Bridgerton* Season 5, focusing on Francesca, started shooting in London in March. Amazon MGM Studios’ *Tomb Raider* adaptation, with Sophie Turner as Lara Croft, has been filming in London since January. For those looking for new content to watch, these productions promise a wealth of options, adding to the already impressive list of Netflix shows to watch right now.

Economic Impact and Production Hub Status

The sheer volume of productions underscores the UK and Ireland’s strategic importance in the global entertainment landscape. Enhanced fiscal incentives, such as the UK’s Independent Film Tax Credit, have been instrumental in attracting these high-budget projects. This financial support, combined with world-class studio facilities and diverse scenic locations, creates an irresistible package for major studios. Ireland, in particular, is seeing significant expansion at Troy Studios and across picturesque counties like Wicklow and Galway, attracting a new wave of fantasy epics and historical dramas.

This investment wave extends beyond direct production costs. Industry reports highlight a significant increase in budgets allocated to visual effects and virtual production, with Ireland emerging as a dominant force in the post-production sector. This not only ensures a steady pipeline of premium content for global streaming platforms but also fosters unprecedented growth in the local skilled workforce. The demand for crew, technicians, and support services has surged, creating thousands of jobs and injecting substantial revenue into local economies. This robust activity contributes significantly to the Summer Box Office 2026, as many of these films will be released during the peak season.

The Future of UK and Ireland as Global Production Powerhouses

The consistent influx of major film and high-end TV productions into the UK and Ireland signals a long-term commitment from global entertainment giants. This trend is not merely a fleeting moment but a strategic consolidation of these regions as indispensable production hubs. The blend of financial incentives, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and a deep pool of creative and technical talent makes them highly competitive. The British Film Commission (BFC) and similar Irish bodies have played a crucial role, offering support with location scouting, stage space recces, and crewing assistance, further streamlining the production process.

The continued investment in studio expansion and technological advancements, particularly in virtual production, ensures that the UK and Ireland remain at the forefront of filmmaking innovation. This sustained growth promises a vibrant future for the local creative industries, fostering new talent and cementing their reputation as go-to destinations for writing on both the big and small screens. The diversity of projects, from superhero sagas like *Supergirl* to historical dramas like *A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms*, demonstrates the versatility and capacity of these production landscapes to handle a wide array of genres and scales.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key factors attracting productions to the UK and Ireland?