Spielberg’s ‘Disclosure Day’ generated $34 million in New Jersey production spending
NEW JERSEY — Steven Spielberg’s science-fiction film “Disclosure Day,” which premiered in theaters June 12, generated an estimated $34 million in qualified production spending during 23 days of filming in New Jersey and employed more than 1,800 crew members, according to the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission.
The film spent 23 days filming across New Jersey and shot scenes in 10 municipalities spanning six counties.
“It’s a thrill to have Steven Spielberg choose New Jersey once again to film another one of his sci-fi productions,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Evan Weiss. “New Jersey’s film tax incentive program is helping attract major productions, like Disclosure Day, which is supporting small businesses and creating jobs across the state. We look forward to continuing to bring new productions to the state to support Governor Mikie Sherrill’s mission to strengthen our economy and deliver real economic impact for communities and families.”
According to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, filming took place in Buena Vista, Hanover Township, Jersey City, Mendham Township, Montville, Morris Township, Newark, Upper Township, Woodbine and Woodbridge.
The production used New Jersey locations to portray settings in Kansas, Missouri and Maryland, highlighting the state’s versatility as a filming destination.
“Disclosure Day was headed to another state to film, but the Film Commission was able to show Spielberg’s team that New Jersey had the big cities and rural towns the script called for. New Jersey is also home to a privately owned railway necessary for a pivotal scene in the movie,” said NJMPTVC Executive Director Jon Crowley. “In addition, the state’s deep talent pool and film infrastructure keep productions coming back to New Jersey, making it a national leader in the industry. Jersey has become a major one-stop shop for any filmmaker’s needs.”
“Disclosure Day” stars Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor and Colin Firth and centers on an alien invasion of Earth.
The project marks another collaboration between Spielberg and New Jersey. In 2004, the director filmed portions of “War of the Worlds” in Bayonne, Newark and Howell Township.
State officials said New Jersey’s film industry continues to grow following the reinstatement of the Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program. In-state film and television production spending reached an estimated $834 million in 2024, surpassing the previous record of $701 million set in 2022.
According to the state, 556 productions filmed in New Jersey in 2024, employing more than 31,000 crew members, nearly double the number hired in 2023.
Officials also pointed to ongoing investments by major studios, including Netflix, 1888 Studios/Paramount Global and Lionsgate, which have committed to operating large-scale production facilities in New Jersey for at least a decade.
