The discourse on gender equality within Hollywood has persisted for many years, with various stakeholders in the industry advocating for enhanced representation and inclusivity in recent times. It seems that this ongoing dialogue is beginning to yield tangible results. 

In a noteworthy development, the film industry reached a pivotal achievement in 2024, as the proportion of top-grossing films featuring female protagonists equaled that of films with male protagonists, representing a historic milestone in contemporary cinema.

Hollywood hits a milestone

According to the most recent edition of Dr. Martha Lauzen's annual report, It’s a Man’s (Celluloid) World, 42% of the top 100 highest-grossing films in the domestic market featured female protagonists, while an equal percentage showcased male protagonists. Deadline reports that the remaining 16% consisted of ensemble casts.

Additionally, two studies conducted by the University of Southern California’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative and San Diego State University’s Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film corroborated these findings.

The USC study revealed that among the top 100 films at the North American box office in 2024, over half (54) centered on a female lead. Notable examples include Pixar’s Inside Out 2, featuring Amy Poehler; Disney’s Moana 2, starring Auliʻi Cravalho; Universal’s Wicked, with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo; and Paramount’s A Quiet Place: Day One, led by Lupita Nyong’o.

This figure represents an increase from 2023, when only 30% of films had a female lead.

Stacy L. Smith, founder of the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, remarked, “We’re witnessing a significant shift in sensibility. This marks the first instance where we can assert that gender equality has been achieved in top-grossing films.”

In 2024, Universal, under the leadership of chairwoman Donna Langley, released the highest number of female-led films, totaling 10, which accounts for 66.7% of its lineup. This was followed by Warner Bros (55.6%), Lionsgate (54.5%), Paramount (44.4%), Disney (40%), and Sony (38.5%).

More about the report

In 2024, many female actors over 50 played powerful roles, including Demi Moore in The Substance. However, ageism remains an issue, with men still getting a larger percentage of roles as the ages of characters increase.

The percentage of female characters declined from 35% in their 30s to 16% in their 40s. In stark contrast, the percentage of male characters increased as they moved from their 30s (25%) to their 40s (31%). More than twice as many male characters as females were 50 and older.

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