A study by USC’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative revealed that only 30 percent of the top 100 films of 2023 featured a female lead or co-lead, marking the lowest percentage in a decade. The report also highlighted the lack of representation for women of color and older women in leading roles. While Disney was the top distributor for female- and POC-led movies, the increase in underrepresented leads was primarily driven by smaller distributors and international films, rather than major studios. The findings underscore the ongoing challenges of gender and racial diversity in Hollywood.
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.
The USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative report reveals that 2023 saw a historic low for women in leading film roles, with only 30 out of the year's top 100 grossing films featuring women and girls in lead or co-lead roles. This marks a significant regression from previous years and highlights a lack of progress in gender representation in the film industry. While there were some gains in racial/ethnic diversity, the report emphasizes that efforts for diversity, equity, and inclusion in Hollywood are falling short, urging the industry to prioritize meaningful change beyond isolated examples of representation.
