Texas may be better known for its BBQ, cowboy boots, and conservative politics—but now it’s aiming for something a little more glamorous: the movie business.
And this isn’t just a dream cooked up in a screenwriter’s room.
A group of A-list celebrities, including Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, and Renée Zellweger, are teaming up with lawmakers to give Hollywood a real run for its money.
Why Texas Wants to Be the New Film Capital
Thanks to a recently passed bill, Texas is setting aside a whopping $300 million over two years to boost its film industry.
The aim? Bring movie-making back to the Lone Star State and keep the money, jobs, and culture local.
And they’re not stopping there—tax incentives are locked in for the next decade.
The law officially kicks in on September 1, and it’s not just handing out cash to anyone with a camera.
It includes some pretty strict guidelines that reflect Texas’ more conservative values, including giving the governor veto power over which projects get funding.
Not Your Average Subsidy Program
Supporters of the new initiative say they’re not trying to become the next Hollywood. In fact, they’re trying to be the opposite.
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick made it clear: Texas wants to build a film industry that reflects Texan values, not liberal California ones.
To qualify for the funding, films need to spend at least $1.5 million in Texas and can receive up to 25% of that amount back in grants.
Projects that are faith-based, filmed at historical sites, or employ Texas military veterans can get up to 31%.
But here’s the catch—if your film paints Texas in a bad light or contains “obscene” content, you won’t see a penny.
Stars Show Up to Support the Cause
Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson aren’t just cheering from the sidelines—they’re fully in the game.
Along with Renée Zellweger and Dennis Quaid, they released a video earlier this year pushing for more film incentives in Texas.
In the video, McConaughey and Harrelson chat about how tough the industry’s gotten—tight budgets, heavy regulations, and political overtones.
They argue that Texas can be a haven for filmmakers who just want to tell stories without all the Hollywood baggage.
McConaughey even spoke directly to lawmakers, making his case for how this move could pump serious money into Texas communities—from coffee shops to barbershops.
Two months later, the bill passed with a 23-8 vote in the Senate and was signed into law.
But Not Everyone Is Applauding
Despite the support from some major stars, the bill has stirred up controversy—especially among Texas conservatives.
Critics argue that the money being spent on film subsidies should go toward lowering taxes or other state priorities.
One of the bill’s harshest critics, Republican State Rep. Brian Harrison, called it “an abomination.”
He slammed the plan as a form of socialism and accused state leaders of prioritizing Hollywood elites over Texas taxpayers.
He’s even planning to introduce legislation to repeal it later this month.
A Deeper Rivalry with California
This new law adds fuel to the growing rivalry between Texas and California.
In recent years, Texas has already poached major companies like Tesla and Hewlett-Packard, luring them with business-friendly policies and lower taxes.
Now, the state is going after California’s prized film industry—at a time when Hollywood is still recovering from the massive strikes in 2023 that cost tens of thousands of jobs.
While California just increased its own film tax credit to $750 million annually, Texas is starting to chip away at the monopoly.
A Comeback for Texas Filmmaking
Supporters believe this new funding could bring Texas back to its movie-making glory days.
Texas has long been a cinematic gem—from classics like Giant and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre to TV hits like Friday Night Lights.
But over time, productions drifted to nearby states offering better financial perks.
Films like Fear the Walking Dead and Richard Linklater’s Hit Man had to leave Texas due to budget constraints.
Now, with this new injection of funds, filmmakers might finally be able to stay home and shoot in the towns they grew up in.
Looking Ahead
With big money, big stars, and big political voices behind it, Texas might just pull this off.
It’s not about copying Hollywood—it’s about building something different, something uniquely Texan.
Whether this vision plays out the way supporters hope remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: the cameras are definitely rolling.