Toronto kicked off 2025 with a bang — and if you’re in the business of scouting Toronto film locations, it was a season worth paying attention to. Canada’s largest city continues to cement its reputation as “Hollywood North,” with H1 2025 showing record studio occupancy and diverse production activity.
From high-stakes thrillers to heartfelt biopics and binge-worthy TV series, the Greater Toronto Area was buzzing with production throughout the first half of the year. Whether you’re a filmmaker, location scout, or commercial producer looking for that perfect photo shoot backdrop or studio setup, Toronto continues to prove why it’s one of North America’s favorite playgrounds for storytellers — especially when you’re working on a budget.
Toronto Film Production H1 2025: Quick Facts
- Major Productions: 15+ film and TV projects
- Studio Occupancy: 85%+ at major facilities including Pinewood Toronto
- Top Genres: Superhero, medical drama, thriller, romantic comedy
- Average Permit Cost: Free for most productions under City of Toronto program
- Economic Impact: Estimated $2.1 billion in local spending (projected full-year)
- Top Filming Districts: Downtown Toronto, Distillery District, Liberty Village, Leslieville
Let’s take a look at what rolled cameras in H1 2025 — and why it matters for location scouts and producers.
🎥 Major Studio Productions Filming in Toronto
Feature Films
Ready Or Not: Here I Come (Searchlight Pictures) This gritty thriller starring Samara Weaving, Kathryn Newton, Sarah Michelle Gellar, from the creators of Ready or Not began shooting in April and brought suspense to the city’s back alleys and shadowy streets. The production made extensive use of Toronto’s underground PATH system and historic Distillery District for atmospheric night shoots. Think classic urban chase scenes and dimly lit interiors — all perfect inspiration if you’re scouting dark, moody film locations in the GTA.
Ready Or Not: Here I Come will be released in theatres on April 2026
Radical (Apple Studios)
A powerful biopic focusing on disability rights activist Judy Heumann, Radical was spotted filming across multiple Toronto film locations this spring. The production team transformed several downtown locations to recreate 1970s New York, showcasing Toronto’s versatility as a period double. Great reference for productions needing period-accurate locations — or producers planning meaningful, advocacy-centered commercial shoots.
Relationship Goals (Amazon MGM Studios) What’s a Toronto film round-up without a rom-com? Kelly Rowland and Method Man brought love and laughs to the city’s cafés, parks, and downtown lofts from March through early May. Key filming locations included Trinity Bellwoods Park, King Street West establishments, and several Heritage Properties. The aesthetic? Chic, relatable, and very budget-friendly for indie productions.
Nirvanna the Band the Show: The Movie The long-awaited feature film adaptation finally happened — and yes, it’s as weird and wonderful as fans expected. This cult favorite filmed across eclectic Toronto film locations from Kensington Market to Queen Street West, giving off quirky, unpredictable energy that indie producers will love for music videos or stylized photo shoots.
The Strangers: Chapter 1 (Reshoots) Horror fans had reason to celebrate as The Strangers franchise conducted additional photography for specific scenes right here in Toronto, beginning in April. The atmospheric locations in rural areas north of the city provided perfect backdrops for the franchise’s signature suspenseful sequences.
📺 Streaming & Series: Toronto’s Television Dominance
Toronto’s major studios have been booked solid throughout the first half of 2025 — and for good reason. The city’s skilled local crews, competitive tax incentives, and diverse locations make it ideal for long-form television production.
Here are Major TV Productions in Toronto H1 2025
The Boys Season 5 (Amazon Prime) – Final Season The highly anticipated final season of this superhero series filmed from November 2024 through July 2025 under the working title “FRAMED.” The expanded cast including Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, and Misha Collins brought major production value to downtown Toronto, with several large-scale action sequences filmed along the waterfront and in the Financial District.
Brilliant Minds Season 2 (NBC) Starring Zachary Quinto. This acclaimed medical drama series began filming its second season in July 2025 at Heritage Studio in Mississauga, bringing fresh content to Toronto’s expanding studio infrastructure. The production cleverly transforms Toronto film locations and purpose-built soundstages to authentically recreate the Bronx, NY hospital environment where the series is set. This showcases Toronto’s versatility in doubling for major American cities while providing cost-effective production solutions.
The Miniature Wife (Peacock) A dark romantic dramedy starring and executive produced by Elizabeth Banks and Matthew Macfadyen. This surreal comedy made extensive use of Toronto’s Queen Street West and Junction Triangle neighborhoods for its quirky, urban aesthetic.
Doc Season 2 (Fox) This medical drama starring Molly Parker continues to showcase Toronto’s strong local crew talent while utilizing the amazing soundstages in Oakville and practical locations throughout the city like the University of Toronto Mississauga. The Maanjiwe Nendamowinan Building on the Mississauga campus is used for the hospital exterior scenes, according to IMDb. . The production has become a training ground for emerging Canadian film technicians.
I Will Find You (Netflix) A crime thriller starring Milo Ventimiglia that shot scenes across multiple Toronto districts starting in April. Key locations included the Harbourfront area, various residential neighborhoods in East York, and several downtown office buildings.
The Copenhagen Test (Peacock) This spy series wrapped production in March but made impressive use of Toronto’s modernist architecture, particularly in the downtown core and University of Toronto campus areas.
Murdoch Mysteries Season 19 (CBC) Canada’s longest-running drama series continues strong, now in its 19th season. The show remains a showcase for Toronto’s period film locations, particularly in the Historic Distillery District and Casa Loma grounds.
Toronto Studio Infrastructure & Industry Events
Pinewood Toronto Studios Expansion
Toronto’s studio scene had several spotlight moments in H1 2025. Pinewood Toronto Studios hosted its inaugural Futures Festival in May — a gathering of over 150 vendors, studios, and creatives showcasing just how production-friendly this city has become. The event highlighted new sound stage capabilities, backlot flexibility, and emerging technology integration ideal for everything from full-scale dramas to small branded photo shoots on tight budgets.
Studio Occupancy Rates
According to industry reports, Toronto’s major studio facilities maintained 85%+ occupancy throughout H1 2025, indicating strong demand for local production services. This includes:
- Pinewood Toronto Studios: 6 sound stages, full backlot
- Cinespace Film Studios: Multiple facilities across GTA
- Wallace Studios: Boutique production spaces
- Various independent studios: Supporting overflow demand
Looking for turnkey solutions? Set Scouter features dozens of Toronto studio spaces that are camera-ready — no extensive set-build required.
💸 Toronto Film Permits, Budgets & Production Incentives
Cost-Effective Production Environment
Good news for indie filmmakers and smaller productions — Toronto remains incredibly accessible when it comes to production costs, especially compared to traditional Hollywood alternatives.
Key Budget Benefits:
- Free permit applications for most shoots through City of Toronto (see article : Here’s why you definitely need to have a film permit…)
- Competitive crew rates compared to Los Angeles/New York
- Favorable exchange rates for US productions
- Ontario Film Tax Credit: Up to 35% for qualifying productions
- Canada Film or Video Production Tax Credit: Additional 25% federal credit
Permit Process Simplified
While big-budget features might invest more in traffic control or specialized equipment, the City of Toronto Film Office continues to offer streamlined permitting. Need occasional road closures or police details? It’s manageable — especially with advance planning and proper coordination.
For commercial shoots, branded content, or social media campaigns, this affordability paired with Toronto’s massive range of looks makes it a smart choice for productions of all scales.
How Set Scouter Connects You to Toronto’s Best Film Locations
Here’s the bottom line: Toronto isn’t just busy — it’s thriving as a world-class production hub. For producers looking for dynamic, affordable film locations, the city checks every box:
- Suburban streets? Toronto’s residential neighborhoods offer everything from modest family homes to luxury estates
- Gritty urban environments? Downtown alleys, industrial areas, and authentic street locations abound
- High-end commercial spaces? Retail Botiques, Restaurants and Offices are so easy to find.
Thanks to Set Scouter’s platform, you don’t need industry connections — our curated listings give you direct access to the best film locations, studios, and homes across the Greater Toronto Area. Whether you’re producing a short film, sleek commercial, or full-scale series, you’ll find the right spot without wasting time or breaking budgets.
Industry Resources & Sources
Primary Sources
- City of Toronto Film Office – Official permit and production data
- Pinewood Toronto Studios – Studio occupancy and facilities information
- Ontario Creates – Provincial film incentive and tax credit details
- IATSE Local 873 – Crew availability and industry workforce data
- Toronto Film Commission – Location services and industry statistics
Production Information Sources
- Variety: https://variety.com/
- Deadline: https://deadline.com/
- The Hollywood Reporter: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/
- Playback: https://playbackonline.ca/
- Realscreen: https://realscreen.com/
- Hollywood North Buzz: https://hollywoodnorthbuzz.com/
Additional Industry Resources
Ready to find your perfect Toronto film location? Don’t spend hours searching for the right spot. Let Set Scouter help you find locations that perfectly align with your production vision.
👉 Explore Toronto locations on Set Scouter – Fast, easy, and tailored to your project needs.