The next big drama in Hollywood may not be playing out in a theater, but maybe in the White House. President Trump has threatened to impose a 100% tax on all foreign films.
Fayetteville, Georgia – Hollywood’s next big drama may not be on the big screen – but in the White House.
President Donald Trump is proposing 100% tariffs on all films made in a foreign country, which he says are “stolen” movie works by foreign competitors. The announcement marks the second time Trump has threatened tariffs on films produced outside the United States.
“Doing our stolen business in the United States of America, in other countries, is like stealing candy from a child,” President Trump said in a social media post. “California, with its weak and incompetent governor, has been hiding hard! So, to solve this long time!
Fayette County, Georgia – Home of Trilith Studios and known as the “Hollywood of the south” – has been a Magnet for Blockbuster Productions, “Spider-Man: American Coury: The New World.”
‘Trump announces a 100% tariff on all foreign-produced movies:’ We want movies made in America, too! ‘
President Donald Trump holds a chart as he delivers an address to restore jobs during the rose garden titled “Make America Rich Again” at the White House in Washington, DC, 2025. (Brendan smilowski/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Marvel is among several Hollywood studios that have incorporated in Georgia to take advantage of the state’s generous film tax incentives. The company has produced nearly two dozen movies and TV shows in the Atlanta area.
However, the studio has recently seen other film projects move overseas. Marvel Studios has announced plans to relocate from Georgia to the UK after ten years of filming in the kingdom. From this summer’s “four good steps: the first steps,” the Marvels are making upcoming projects in the United Kingdom.
Some in the industry believe that Trump’s proposed tariffs on foreign-made films could help the film industry keep jobs in the United States.
Marvel Studios began filming at Trilith Studios more than ten years ago. (Trilith Studios / Faithful)
“He wants to bring the movies back to our home … to stop the movie companies from going to Budapest, Australia, said Eddie Matthews, who is the core of the film industry and the President of Hollywood films in the south. “It will show them a tax when they come back, so they will say, ‘Okay, we will not leave the country now. Where is the best tax incentive in this country?’ And hopefully it’ll be Atlanta, and we’ll go up here. “
Matthews – a veteran of the film industry – pointed out that the US is losing major projects in Canada, and in other major film markets.
“I mean, Canada alone makes hundreds and hundreds of movies a year, if only we get those alone, not to mention the hundreds that go to places there, that would be great,” said Mathews.
‘Foreign movie tax’ would hurt ‘Hollywood workers, film producer says’
According to the World Interest Property Organization, US film production in 2023 is expected to account for 5.32% of global output – down from 9.53% last year.
Some in the industry believe that the tariffs could have a negative impact on the film industry, given the nature of the movie business.
A view of the Hollywood sign on September 30, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Mario Tama / Getty Images / Getty Images)
“The fee will not work in the same way that people usually see the tax rates that work on it. It is usually based on a product like cars or computers or a flashy product,” said Randy Davidson, CEO of Georgia Entertainment. “The movie has many owners – then you have projects and productions like superman that was recently made in Georgia, where places are made all over the country and around the world.”
The new creation of Netflix’s Studio Studio (Netflix)
Davidson warned the taxes could backfire and significantly raise prices for theater and streaming services.
‘Trump’s bold move: 100% tariffs on international movies renew American films’
“I had an example that was given to me that you would give me where you would go to the theater, and there would be a list of movies on the left that were produced abroad that were $40 each that you would do in America that would be $15.”
Instead of tax rates, Davidson believes a country-wide tax incentive — similar to what is done in other countries — would work better.
“When the President talked about the tolls earlier, there was a group of people that came together and there are legislators who are going through our legislative process in DC as they talk in the Senate and in the House,” Davidson said. “We heard from the production executives at Netflix and our brothers at Netflix and others that the Federal Incevene could make it easier to live in America.”
For now, Trump’s tax proposal remains just that – a proposal – and the White House has not said when the tax rates would go into effect. Still, the idea is already dividing the industry.
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The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
