Montana Made Big Money Thanks To Film and TV Crews

Could we see more productions come to Montana in the future? We hope so.

Over the past decade, Montana has been slowly upping their footprint in the movie and television industry.

Montana used to see a few independent movie productions yearly but has recently seen a massive influx of Hollywood films and series.

The most prominent productions of note are the shows Yellowstone and films like Murder in Yellowstone City. Movie stars like Kevin Costner, Helen Mirren, Harrison Ford, and other actors have had a fantastic time shooting their movies or shows in Big Sky Country.

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Montana typically gives these productions tax breaks to help with film costs, but how much are these Hollywood pictures spending locally?

We have that answer.

Montana Free Press reports that movie and television shows have spent over $334 million in our state over the past two years.

An enormous contributor was the show Yellowstone. The popular show has dropped $275 million in the past two years.

These productions have helped create over 500 full-time jobs and more part-time jobs.

Tax credits play a crucial part in these productions coming to Montana. That's why states like Georgia, California, and Texas see several movies and television shows set up shop there because they offer incredible tax credits.

The Yellowstone prequel series 1923 might relocate to Texas because of Montana's expiring tax credits.

Some elected officials aren't a fan of the tax credits and don't think they provide any economic benefit, but we have to disagree.

The University of Montana created a study and found Yellowstone has had a massive economic impact. The state has seen over $730 million in spending because of the show.

That is going straight to local businesses all over Big Sky Country.

Montana needs to keep up these tax credits, or we will miss out on Hollywood productions wanting to film where their movies or shows take place.