Last year, Barbie emerged as a box office success, but a closer examination of the demographic landscape of 2023's film releases reveals a concerning trend in Hollywood's continued focus on male-centered movies. According to the latest research brief from USC's Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, 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 Annenberg Inclusion Initiative has been tracking this data since 2007, with 2023 showing a significant decline from the record-high of 44 percent in 2022. This decline has raised alarms within the industry, with AI2 founder Stacy L. Smith describing it as a 'catastrophic step back for girls and women in film.'
Of the few movies that did feature female leads or co-leads, only three included women aged 45 or older, highlighting a lack of representation for older women in leading roles. The report also pointed out disparities in the representation of women of color, with white men dominating the lead roles in comparison to women of color.
Despite some progress in the representation of actors of color, the overall numbers still fall short of true inclusivity. The report highlighted that smaller distributors and international films were driving the increase in underrepresented leads, rather than major studios.
Disney emerged as a top distributor for female- and POC-led movies, with nearly half of its slate featuring a female protagonist. However, the report emphasized that major studios have not fully delivered on their commitments to diversity and inclusion, with smaller distributors leading the charge for greater representation.
The findings of the report underscore the ongoing challenges faced by women and actors of color in the film industry, calling for a concerted effort to address the systemic barriers that continue to limit their opportunities on screen.
