Boom in the Lone Star State: Texas Takes the Lead in Filmmaking
By Mike Fortin, CineDrones
DALLAS — From the hills of Bosque Ranch to the studios of Fort Worth, Texas is experiencing a surge in film and television production — and A‑list stars are helping lead the charge.
Taylor Sheridan, the creator behind Yellowstone and its spinoffs, has firmly rooted his creative empire in Texas. Sheridan and his wife Nicole Muirbrook relocated from Hollywood to the Lone Star State years ago, citing a desire to raise their family away from Los Angeles pressures, and let their son Gus grow up in the country life on Bosque Ranch and the historic 6666 Ranch fortworthdigitaldiary.com+10People.com+10Wikipedia+10. Bosque Ranch, a sprawling 600-acre property, has served as the backdrop for multiple Yellowstone spinoffs and now supports events, filming and exclusive experiences Realestate.com.au+1bosqueranchheadquarters.com+1.
In Fort Worth, Sheridan’s production company has leased approximately 450,000 sq ft in AllianceTexas, converting former spec buildings into eight sound stages and production hubs. Productions like Landman, 1883 and Bass Reeveshave filmed on location there, and the new facility includes sets for his oil‑boom drama Landman, starring Billy Bob Thornton.
Taylor Sheridan’s efforts have dovetailed with major legislative shifts in Austin. In 2025, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 22, committing $300 million biennially (via a $1.5 billion program through 2035) to fund the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program. Additional support came via House Bill 4568, supported by Matthew McConaughey, which expands the incentive structure and reinforces training programs for local workforce development
McConaughey and fellow Texas natives Woody Harrelson and Dennis Quaid have been vocal advocates. The trio lent their voices to the “True to Texas” campaign, urging lawmakers to restore and enhance film incentives to keep production—and jobs—in Texas. “Hollywood does not have a trademark on telling good stories,” McConaughey told legislators. Woody Harrelson echoed similar sentiment, joining the effort to secure sustainable filmmaking opportunities in the state.
Other celebrities, like Joe Rogan, have relocated to Texas in recent years, citing its business climate and tax advantages. Combined with McConaughey, Harrelson and others, this migration reflects a growing trend of high-profile talent choosing Texas over California.
Texas lawmakers argue that the state’s incentive plan now rivals—and in some ways surpasses—those of California, Georgia and Louisiana. SB 22 offers tiered rebates: 5 percent to 25 percent based on in-state spending thresholds, with bonus incentives tied to shooting in rural areas, hiring Texas veterans, using Texas crew and producing faith‑or family‑oriented content.
Why it matters
Texas has long offered diverse and cinematic landscapes, from deserts and ranches to urban centers Herald Sun. With this latest legislation and celebrity-supported lobbying, the state is now positioning itself as a formidable rival to California’s entrenched film ecosystem.
Production dollars are flowing into small towns too. Sheridan’s Bass Reeves injected an estimated $4 million into Stephenville during a few days of shooting, while filming in West Texas brought millions more to Amarillo and surrounding counties.
For CineDrones, the implications are significant: drone operators, aerial cinematographers and production crews in Texas are gaining prominent access to major studio-level projects. As Texas builds infrastructure and incentives, filmmakers are increasingly opting to shoot — and remain — in the Lone Star State.
Texas may indeed become the new Hollywood — and CineDrones can report it first.
