Production in Queensland started the year strongly, with filming just wrapped on Patrick Hughes’ Untitled Mike Thornton Project for Amazon MGM Studios. Charting the heroics of the real-life, highly decorated Navy SEAL and Vietnam War veteran, the feature has filmed around the Gold Coast, with a steady pipeline of projects lined up across 2026.

While cameras are rolling, so too is the release schedule for a slate of Queensland-made films and series, following on from the Boxing Day box office gold of Sony Pictures’ Anaconda. Let’s take a look at just a few:

The Bluff

Priyanka Chopra-Jonas and Karl Urban go head-to-head with swift swords and sharp tongues in this swashbuckling period action-thriller from AGBO and Amazon MGM Studios, out now on Prime Video.

Directed by Frank E. Flowers, The Bluff filmed across the Gold Coast and surrounds in 2024 with the Russo Brothers’ bloody, R-rated adventure making full use of spectacular coastal vistas, including the sweeping cliffs of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) and the majestic rainforest/jungle of Tamborine Mountain. Queensland’s renowned crew base excelled in realising the production’s intricate design which boasted plenty of ships, sets, costumes, daggers and lashings of blood.

“Filming The Bluff in Queensland was an absolute dream. Working in Australia, I was blown away by the professionalism of the crews, the world-class infrastructure, and the breathtaking diversity of locations. The support from local screen agencies was exceptional, making the entire experience seamless and inspiring. Queensland has set a new benchmark for international production, and I can’t wait to return.”

Michael Disco, Producer at AGBO

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters S2

The largest series to be made in Queensland to date, the stunning second season of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters has exploded onto Apple TV with Godzilla, Kong and an ensemble cast featuring Kurt Russell, Wyatt Russell, Anna Sawai, Kiersey Clemons, Ren Watabe, Mari Yamamoto, Joe Tippett and Anders Holm.

One of many ‘Monsterverse’ projects to have filmed in Queensland, the Legendary Entertainment production was based at the Gold Coast’s Village Roadshow Studios. Numerous locations across the Gold Coast and the capital city of Brisbane doubled for cities and towns across North America, South America, Japan and more – as well as the iconic Skull Island – highlighting the region’s easy access to adaptable urban, coastal and rural architecture and versatile natural landscapes.

“We scouted nine different territories. Queensland, at the end of the day, was the sheer winner.”

Jen Roskind, Executive Producer / Line Producer

“These landscapes are incredible for the monsters to live in, those spaces that can fit Titans… Amazing jungles, beaches… Great infrastructure… The filmmaking community here is very strong. It’s a real can-do attitude, an incredible work ethic.”

Lawrence Trilling, Executive Producer / Director

EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert

Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis was a true game changer for the Queensland screen production sector, demonstrating the skill and artistry of local practitioners on a truly grand scale, as well as showcasing the flexibility of the industry’s first-class studio facilities and filming locations.

It was also a life-changing experience for the Bazmark team, who decided to relocate their operations to the Gold Coast, establishing their global headquarters with the assistance of Screen Queensland’s Capital Grants Program.

And it was at home on the Gold Coast where Bazmark realised their acclaimed new feature film EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, which made its Australian Premiere at February’s AACTA Festival before a global cinema release for Universal Pictures in late February.

Directed by Baz Luhrmann, the film brings never-before-seen, exquisitely restored footage from Elvis’ Las Vegas concerts in the 1970s. Queensland’s The Post Lounge worked closely with Bazmark on the film’s colour-grading, mastering and VFX so that audiences can experience the King in full cinematic glory.

On the Horizon

More releases are on the horizon for projects including Balls Up, Dustfall, Godzilla x Kong: Supernova, The Mark, The Mosquito Bowl, Runner, Spa Weekend, Subversion, Voltron and Wonka: The Golden Ticket. Deadloch S2 was recently released on Prime Video, while Mortal Kombat II – filmed at Village Roadshow Studios for New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures – is set to arrive in cinemas 7 May.

For more information, visit https://screenqueensland.com.au/