For the first time, more than half of the top 100 films in 2024 featured a female lead or co-lead, surpassing proportional representation based on U.S. Census data, which reports that women make up 50.5% of the population. According to a 2025 report from the University of Southern California, this milestone reflects years of advocacy, industry efforts, and DEI initiatives pushing for greater gender equality in Hollywood.
The USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative analyzed 1,800 top-grossing films from 2007 to 2024, assessing gender, race, ethnicity, and age among leading actors. In 2024, 54 of the 100 highest-grossing films had a female lead, a significant increase from 2023 when only 30 movies featured female protagonists. Major contributors to this shift included Wicked starring Cynthia Erivo, Anora led by Mikey Madison, and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga with Anya Taylor-Joy.
Among major studios, Universal Pictures led the way with 66.7% of its films featuring female leads, followed by Warner Bros. Pictures (55.6%) and Lionsgate (54.5%). Paramount Pictures (44.4%), Walt Disney Studios (40%), and Sony Pictures Entertainment (38.5%) also saw improvements but remained below the halfway mark.
However, the report revealed a decline in racial and ethnic diversity among leading roles. Only 25 of the top 100 films in 2024 featured a lead or co-lead from an underrepresented racial or ethnic group, down from 37 in 2023. No major studio met the U.S. Census benchmark of 41.6% representation. Paramount Pictures led with 33% of its films featuring a lead of color, followed by Lionsgate (27.3%) and Universal Pictures (26.7%). Walt Disney Studios (20%), Sony Pictures Entertainment (15.4%), and Warner Bros. Pictures (11.1%) fell even lower.
Despite the overall decrease, representation for women of color remained steady, with 13 films featuring a woman of color in a lead or co-lead role, consistent with the previous year and an improvement from 2007.
While this report marks a breakthrough for gender representation in Hollywood, experts emphasize that more work is needed to ensure that storytelling reflects diverse audiences. Industry leaders continue to advocate for increased representation across all demographics, highlighting the demand for inclusive narratives that resonate with a global audience.
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