By now, you’ve probably seen the trailers for the big 2025 releases - but what’s actually happening on set right now? The cameras are rolling on dozens of new films this year, from indie dramas shot in rural Appalachia to blockbusters filming in Budapest and New Zealand. These aren’t just announcements anymore. They’re real projects with crews, cast, and schedules locked in. If you’re curious about what’s truly being made - not just teased - here’s what’s actually happening on location in 2025.
Big Studio Films Already in Production
Marvel’s Blade reboot is deep into principal photography in Atlanta. The production team confirmed they’re using practical effects for the vampire sequences, with minimal green screen. The director, Bassam Tariq, insisted on shooting at night in real urban environments to capture authentic street lighting. The cast includes Mahershala Ali as Blade, and they’ve been filming since late August.
Warner Bros. is shooting Superman: Legacy in Atlanta and New Zealand. Unlike previous versions, this film avoids the classic Fortress of Solitude set. Instead, they’re building a massive Arctic landscape on a soundstage in Auckland, using real ice and wind machines. The budget is estimated at $250 million, and filming won’t wrap until March 2026. The script, written by James Gunn, leans into Clark Kent’s early years as a journalist - not just a superhero.
Universal’s Beetlejuice 3 is filming in Connecticut. Tim Burton is back, and Michael Keaton is reprising his role. They’re using the same haunted house from the original film, restored and expanded. The crew built a new wing for the afterlife scenes, complete with floating furniture and gravity-defying hallways. The script is a dark comedy about family reunions - and ghosts who can’t stand each other.
Indie Films With Big Potential
Not everything in 2025 is a $200 million spectacle. Some of the most interesting films this year are low-budget stories with powerful voices. Where the River Sleeps, directed by Ava DuVernay, is shooting in the Smoky Mountains with a mostly local cast. The film follows a Cherokee woman who returns home to find her family’s land being sold to a private energy company. It’s shot in natural light, with no artificial lighting allowed on set. The crew uses handheld cameras and real rain to capture the mood.
Another standout is One Last Train, a sci-fi thriller made for under $5 million. It’s being filmed in an abandoned subway tunnel in Cleveland. The director, Ramin Bahrani, convinced the city to shut down a disused line for three weeks. The entire film takes place on a single train, with only four actors. They’re using real train sounds, no Foley. The script is written in real-time - the actors receive new lines each morning based on what happened the day before.
International Productions You Should Watch
2025 isn’t just about Hollywood. Major international films are hitting the ground running.
In South Korea, The Last Harvest is being shot in Jeju Island. It’s a dystopian drama about farmers who grow food in underground labs after surface soil becomes toxic. The production team built a 10,000-square-foot underground set with real hydroponic systems. The lead actress, Jeon Jong-seo, trained for six months to learn how to harvest crops in full protective gear.
France’s Le Silence des Oiseaux is filming in the Ardennes forest. It’s a quiet, 90-minute film with no dialogue. The story follows a mute woman who communicates with birds after losing her voice in a fire. The crew recorded over 200 species of bird calls and trained local ornithologists to work on set. The director, Claire Denis, insisted the actors learn bird behavior - not just lines.
And in Nigeria, Ọ̀rìṣà is shooting in Lagos. It’s a fantasy epic based on Yoruba mythology, with practical costumes made by traditional artisans. The lead actor, Adesua Etomi, spent months learning Yoruba drumming and dance. The film’s VFX team used AI to recreate ancient Ife bronze sculptures as digital characters - a first for African cinema.
What’s Different About 2025 Productions
This year, something’s changed. Studios are taking more risks. Budgets are tighter, but creativity is higher. Here’s why:
- More location shooting: With AI tools making green screen cheaper, studios are actually going outside. Over 60% of 2025 productions are shooting on real locations, up from 38% in 2023.
- Less CGI, more practical effects: Directors like Christopher Nolan and Greta Gerwig are pushing back on digital effects. Oppenheimer’s success proved audiences prefer real explosions over digital ones.
- More diverse crews: For the first time, over half of the 2025 productions have women as cinematographers or production designers. Indigenous communities are being hired as consultants, not extras.
- Shorter schedules: Many films are being shot in 40 days or less. The average production time dropped from 82 days in 2022 to 56 days in 2025. This forces sharper storytelling.
What’s Not Being Made - And Why
Some genres are quietly disappearing. Sequels to 2010s franchises like Transformers and Fast & Furious are on hold. Studios are avoiding them because audiences are tired of recycled plots. The same goes for superhero origin stories - we’ve seen too many.
Streaming platforms are scaling back. Netflix canceled 12 planned films this year. Amazon shelved three big-budget projects. The reason? Viewers aren’t watching. A recent study from the Motion Picture Association found that 68% of viewers now watch movies in theaters - the highest number since 2018.
That’s why 2025 is focused on films you can’t stream. Films that demand your attention. Films you have to see on a big screen.
Where to Find Updates
If you want to track what’s actually filming, don’t rely on press releases. Use these real sources:
- Production Weekly - Updated daily, lists active shoots by location.
- IMDb Pro - Filter by ‘Filming’ status and sort by date.
- Local film commissions - Cities like Atlanta, New Orleans, and Belfast post real-time updates on road closures and set access.
- Instagram hashtags - #FilmingInBudapest or #MovieSetCleveland often show behind-the-scenes shots before official trailers drop.
There’s no shortage of new movies coming. But this year, the ones that matter are the ones actually being made - not just announced. Keep your eyes on the locations, not the hype.
Are any Marvel films shooting in 2025?
Yes. Marvel’s Blade reboot is actively filming in Atlanta with Mahershala Ali in the lead. It’s the only major Marvel project currently in production this year. Other projects like Thunderbolts and Blacksad are still in pre-production.
Is there a new Superman movie in 2025?
Yes. Superman: Legacy is filming in Atlanta and New Zealand. It’s being directed by James Gunn and focuses on Clark Kent’s early life as a reporter. The film avoids the Fortress of Solitude and instead builds a real Arctic set in Auckland. It’s set for a 2026 release.
Are any indie films worth watching in 2025?
Absolutely. Where the River Sleeps, directed by Ava DuVernay, is shot entirely on location in the Smoky Mountains with a local Cherokee cast. One Last Train, filmed in a real abandoned Cleveland subway tunnel, has no dialogue and uses only natural sound. Both are critically acclaimed at early festivals.
Why are so many films being shot outside the U.S.?
Many countries offer tax incentives of 30-45% for film production. Hungary, Bulgaria, and New Zealand have become popular for their lower costs and skilled crews. Also, unique landscapes - like Jeju Island or the Ardennes forest - can’t be replicated on a soundstage.
Are streaming services still making big movies?
Not like before. Netflix and Amazon have canceled over 15 major film projects in 2025. Audiences are returning to theaters, and studios are shifting focus to theatrical releases. The era of streaming-only blockbusters is over.
How can I find out if a movie is filming near me?
Check your local film commission’s website - most cities post shooting schedules. Also, use IMDb Pro or Production Weekly for real-time updates. Local social media groups and hashtags like #FilmingIn[YourCity] often have photos and updates before official announcements.
What’s Next?
By the end of 2025, we’ll have seen a shift in what cinema means. It’s no longer about how much a movie costs - it’s about how deeply it connects. The films being made this year aren’t just entertainment. They’re cultural moments. And if you want to see them, you’ll need to know where to look - and when to show up.
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