"2023 Sees Steep Decline in Women-Led Films, Reaching Historic Low"

A study by the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative revealed that the representation of women, women of color, and women aged 45+ in films in 2023 dropped to near a 10-year low, despite the success of Barbie at the box office. The study found that only 30% of the top 100 films featured a female-identified actor as a lead or co-lead, down from 44% in 2022. Additionally, the percentage of films with leads/co-leads of color increased, but still lags behind the national percentage of underrepresented people. The study's authors emphasized the need for more diverse representation and urged studios to hire more women behind the camera, as there is a correlation between the identity of the director and the identity of the lead actor.