Trump's 100% tariffs on foreign films: Which recent blockbusters could have been affected — From 'Avatar' to 'Wicked'

Economic Times

05-05-2025

US President Donald Trump's weekend announcement about maximum tariffs planned for all movies made outside his country has sparked concerns within and beyond the entertainment industry. The 100 per cent levy reflects the leader's nearly undeterred stance in the face of growing concerns around the international trade war that his economic policies have sparked in the months following his second presidency.
A clear picture of how the tariffs would be implemented was missing from the president's declaration. On Monday, a day after Trump made the announcement, the White House said that the government is yet to make a final decision regarding tariffs on films produced overseas.It, however, added that all possible options are being explored to safeguard the "national and economic security" of the US, according to news agency Reuters. Notably, while announcing his plans, Trump had billed the growing trend of foreign film production as a "national security threat".
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On Tuesday, Forbes compiled a list of some of this decade's highest grossers that, though, were American-made but filmed in foreign countries. These films could have potentially faced a big impact if they were covered by the tariffs planned by Trump. Here are some of the films from the list:
1. Avatar: The Way of Water, which was released in 2022, was filmed in New Zealand. It grossed $2.3 billion worldwide. The film was produced by James Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment, which is based in the US.
2. Barbie, which hit the theatres in 2023, earned a global gross revenue of $1.4 billion. It was filmed in the UK. The movie's producers include US firms Mattel and LuckyChap Entertainment.
3. Deadpool & Wolverine was shot in the UK. The film grossed $1.3 billion globally. The producers of the blockbuster are Marvel Studios, 21 Laps Entertainment, and Maximum Effort -- all US companies, Forbes noted.
4. Jurassic World Dominion, which was released in 2022, managed to earn gross revenues totaling $1 billion. The film was shot in locations spread throughout Canada, Malta, and the UK. All three production companies involved in the making of the movie are US-based.
5. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, another Marvel movie, was shot in the UK. Its global gross revenue stood at $955.8 million.
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What has the White House said about Trump's planned movie tariffs?
The White House on Monday said that any conclusive decision on President Donald Trump's planned levies on films produced outside the US has not been finalised yet.
How much tariff does Donald Trump plan to impose on movies filmed outside the US?
He plans to impose a 100 per cent tariff on such films.
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