In December 2020, Nick Shafir's screenplay I.S.S. was included on that year's "Black List" of most-liked unproduced screenplays.
I.S.S. began filming at Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington, North Carolina, in February 2021.
The world premiere of I.S.S. was held at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 12, 2023. In August 2023, Bleecker Street acquired the United States distribution rights.The film was theatrically released on January 19, 2024.
In January 2021, it was announced that the film had been greenlit for production by LD Entertainment with Cowperthwaite directing. Chris Messina and Pilou Asbæk were reported to star in the film. In February, it was reported that Ariana DeBose had also joined the cast.