About Dark Horse

Since its founding in 2020, the emergence of Dark Horse Stages has been transformative for North Carolina’s film and entertainment industry. The studio welcomes clients with warm hospitality, professionalism, and genuine charm. Dark Horse’s intuitive approach to studio management has made the location attractive for local and out of state productions seeking stage space. Fulfilling the simple need all filmmakers have – a dedicated space to bring their vision to life – Dark Horse Stages has raised the bar and now offers filmmakers in Wilmington an experience they cannot find anywhere else.

With an ever increasing demand for high-quality film space in North Carolina, Dark Horse Stages took the filmmaking community by storm straight out of the gate with its inaugural client being a Hallmark Channel original holiday film quickly followed by projects from Paramount, paving the way to working with more major production companies.

Dark Horse Stages takes in feedback from filmmakers and leverages personal relationships and partnerships within Wilmington’s film community to upgrade the space to meet and exceed industry standards.

While filmmakers enjoy an exceptional experience on set at Dark Horse, they’ll be pleased to find the Wilmington area offers a breadth of “backlot” opportunities from natural landscapes and bustling city streets, to sandy beaches, rugged mountains, and architecture reflecting classic southern charm, allowing even the most ambitious creators to capture their unique vision on location without the need to stray too far from stage.

Whether inside the walls of Dark Horse Stages or on location nearby, productions can enjoy the services of experienced local vendors, along with nationally renowned support services like Cinelease, Inc., which through an exclusive partnership with Dark Horse Stages, offers filmmakers access to the best-in-quality lighting and grip equipment.

As the film industry continues to grow, Dark Horse will remain a leader in accessibility, on-site amenities, and innovation, not only for North Carolina’s filmmakers, but any creative looking for a premier filmmaking experience away from the industry’s oversaturated production hubs.