A study by the US Annenberg Inclusion Initiative shows that the number of women in lead roles in Hollywood films has significantly decreased compared to the previous year. This has returned to the level seen in 2010.
What was examined in the study? In a study by the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, the gender, ethnicity, and age of the main characters and co-stars in the 1,700 highest-grossing films from 2007 to 2023 were analyzed.
What were the results? The result was that only 30 of the 100 highest-grossing films in 2023 featured a girl or woman as the lead or co-lead. This is a figure that was also recorded in 2010.
This represents a significant regression compared to the previous year, as stated in the report on the study. There were still 44 films then, which was even the highest figure since 2007.
“Catastrophic regression for girls and women in film.”
What does the founder of the initiative say about it? Stacy L. Smith had clear words for the study’s results and said: “This is a catastrophic regression for girls and women in film.”
She further explained that there had actually been progress in the industry over the past 14 years, and the results contradict what one would expect from a year in which Barbie made a big debut:
“This turnaround is both shocking and a direct contradiction to all the talk that 2023 is supposed to be the ‘Year of the Woman.'”
The numbers not only showed how often women are seen in lead roles but also represent the state of career opportunities for them. The data suggests that options for women in Hollywood have drastically shrunk.
“Even when we look at the films that have been postponed to 2024 due to the strike, we can only explain the drop in female lead/co-lead roles in 2023 as a failure of the industry.”
The exciting results of another film study can be found here: Survey shows: Young people no longer want to see a certain type of scene in movies and series
