The Gold Coast has established itself as Queensland’s major hub for film production, accounting for approximately 75% of all state productions since the 1990s, with an annual expenditure of around $150 million. It is the third-largest film production centre in Australia, trailing only Sydney and Melbourne. The city has hosted major international motion pictures including Muriel’s Wedding (1994), Scooby-Doo (2002), Superman Returns (2006), Aquaman (2018), and Godzilla vs. Kong (2021). Key production facilities are located at Village Roadshow Studios, adjacent to Warner Bros. Movie World at Oxenford, which features eight sound stages, production offices, water tanks, wardrobe and construction workshops, and editing rooms, covering over 10,800 square metres—making it one of the largest studio complexes in the Southern Hemisphere. The Queensland Government actively supports the film and television industry through financial and non-financial assistance via the Pacific Film and Television Commission.

Beyond film, the Gold Coast boasts a rich cultural scene that balances its rapid urban development with a local identity rooted in surf culture and community-driven initiatives. The city hosts a variety of music and arts events, including the Big Day Out, Good Vibrations Festival, Summafieldayze, and the Blues on Broadbeach Festival. Local musicians such as Cody Simpson and Ricki-Lee Coulter have emerged from the area, alongside ensembles like the Northern Rivers Symphony Orchestra.

Home of the Arts (HOTA) serves as the city’s premier cultural facility, offering a performance theatre, two cinemas, and an underground venue. HOTA has hosted esteemed companies including The Australian Ballet, the Queensland Ballet, and the Imperial Russian Ballet, as well as numerous musicals, plays, and international performances. The city is also home to the Gold Coast City Art Gallery, film festivals, and a comedy club, reflecting a diverse and growing creative environment. Redevelopment of the cultural precinct in the lead-up to the 2018 Commonwealth Games further strengthened the city’s position as a regional hub for arts, entertainment, and film production.