This story was previously published on CambridgeToday.
After a disappointing 2023 that was the result of actors and writer's strikes, production crews and A-list celebrities returned to the city to shoot a number of upcoming film and television projects last spring, but not as much as city officials had hoped.
Film crews didn't arrive in the city until April and out of a modest projection of 40 filming days, the city ended up getting a total of 24 inquires and saw only 26 days of filming.
"We are thrilled that Cambridge remains a sought-after location for the film industry and are excited by the number of inquiries already received for 2025 and the opportunity they present to highlight Cambridge and its stunning and diverse locations," said Karisa Downey, manager of economic development for the City of Cambridge in an email to CambridgeToday.
According to Downey, since 2016, the estimated local impact of the film industry in Cambridge is $8.2 million, with some higher-budget projects spending more than $50,000 locally per film day.
Along with the 40 projected filming days in last year's operating budget, the city estimated spin-off revenues of $900,000 as it hoped to see the return of blockbuster movies and award-winning series being filmed throughout the three downtown cores.
Just as it was in 2023, revenues and local economic impact from filming will be cut in half. The city did not respond to requests for comment around economic impact for this year.
At this time, the 2025 budget does not include any projected filming days or expected revenue from inquiries.
While 2024 may have been a slower year for the city's film industry, big names still made their way to town as Captain America's Anthony Mackie took over city hall when it was transformed into New San Francisco for an episode of season two of the Peacock streaming series Twisted Metal.
Filming has wrapped, but there is no set release date for the show's second season which will give local fans a chance to recognize Cambridge locations.
Filming for the third season of the Prime series Reacher also made its way back to Cambridge in April for a one-day shoot on Queen Street, but the show's main stars were nowhere to be seen. The show returns to Prime in February.
Award-winning series like The Handmaid's Tale, which was expected to make another appearance in downtown Galt to film its sixth season, was a no show. The series has been filming in Cambridge since 2016 and has become a main backdrop for the series.
Rumour has it production on the series' final season will see crews back in Cambridge next spring.
