In an unprecedented shift within the film industry, 2024 saw top-grossing movies achieve gender parity in their leading roles. This milestone marks a significant moment for Hollywood, as female protagonists matched their male counterparts in mainstream cinematic prominence. According to studies from the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film and the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, films like Wicked and Inside Out 2 were instrumental in driving this change.
The data provided by the Center revealed that of the top 100 domestic films, 42% featured female leads, with an equivalent percentage showcasing male protagonists. Meanwhile, the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative reported an even higher share of 54% for films featuring girls and women in leading roles, a dramatic rise from 30% the previous year. Since 2007, when these studies began, the percentage of female-led films has steadily increased from a mere 20%. Stacy L. Smith, founder of the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, highlighted that 2024's leading films included female protagonists in three of the top five and in half of the top 10 titles, emphasizing the profitability and popularity of stories with female leads.
However, despite these gains, the progress has been primarily in leading roles, with other categories experiencing only minimal improvements. The San Diego State study observed a modest rise in female speaking roles, from 35% to 37% in 2024, and major female characters increasing from 38% to 39% over the previous year. Martha Lauzen, from the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film, pointed out that although historical highs were reached in 2024, the industry still shows ingrained disparities, reflecting inequalities beyond leading roles.
Efforts to attain gender equality are notably supported by major studios such as Universal, under the leadership of Donna Langley, where over two-thirds of their releases centered on female leads, according to Annenberg's report. Yet, the picture is incomplete, as these studies do not account for films released directly on streaming platforms or those outside the top 100 in theaters. Despite remarkable leaps in gender representation, the film industry continues to struggle with racial diversity. Only 25% of 2024's top films had underrepresented leads or co-leads, including 38% Black, 15.4% Asian or Asian American, and 3.9% Hispanic leads. This is a significant drop from 2023, which saw more diverse representation in over a third of films.
According to Smith, the progress for female representations was not mirrored for racial diversity, indicating a need for broader storytelling inclusivity. As audiences increasingly seek narratives that reflect diverse experiences, the film industry faces the challenge of balancing these demands. By fostering more inclusive stories, studios and filmmakers can align box office success with the rich diversity of their audiences.
