Why Major US Franchises Keep Shooting in the UK: Incentives, Infrastructure, and Crew Depth

Big-budget US productions including Spider-Man, Star Wars, and Ted Lasso continue to base themselves in the UK, driven by a combination of the UK’s 25–40% Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (AVEC), world-class studio infrastructure, and a deep pool of experienced below-the-line crew.

The UK’s tax relief structure remains one of the most competitive in Europe for large-scale productions, with high-end TV and film qualifying for significant rebates on UK qualifying expenditure. Studios like Pinewood, Leavesden, and Longcross continue to expand capacity to meet sustained demand from US streamers and studios.

For US-based producers, the UK represents a reliable co-production environment with established relationships between American studios and British service companies, reducing logistical friction on multi-year franchise shoots. Crew continuity across sequel productions is frequently cited as a practical advantage.

The competitive pressure is relevant for US producers weighing domestic incentive packages — several US states offer comparable percentage rebates, but few can match the combination of studio infrastructure, experienced franchise crew, and the weak pound making dollar-denominated budgets stretch further on the ground.

US producers considering UK-based production should note AVEC replaced the old EIS/SEIS-linked relief system and has different qualifying spend thresholds worth reviewing with a UK production accountant before budgeting.