A new study reveals that over half of the top-grossing films in Hollywood last year featured women in leading or co-leading roles. This marks a significant milestone in gender equality within the film industry.

According to research released on June 11th by the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, 54 of the 100 highest-grossing films of 2024 had female leads or co-leads. This is a substantial increase from 2023 when women led 30 of the top-grossing movies.

Notable films featuring women in prominent roles last year include "Wicked" starring Cynthia Erivo, "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga" with Anya Taylor-Joy, "Anora" led by Mikey Madison, and "The Substance" featuring Demi Moore. Animated hits like "Inside Out 2" and "Moana 2" also featured female protagonists.

Dr. Stacy L. Smith, founder of the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, stated, "This is the first year we can say that gender equality has been achieved in top-grossing films." She added, "We know that films with female leads are profitable. This is thanks to the efforts of advocacy groups, studios, DEI policies, and various stakeholders who have championed the need for equality on screen."

However, the study also revealed a sharp decline in films featuring people of color in leading roles. Only 25 of last year's top 100 films had POC leads or co-leads, compared to 37 in 2023. Films with women of color in leading roles numbered just 13.

The report highlights that people of color make up 41.6% of the US population, indicating significant underrepresentation in Hollywood. Dr. Smith emphasized, "Audiences want to see stories about women and people of color. Studios and filmmakers don't have to choose between the two."

Co-author Katherine Pieper added, "While the study shows historic progress in women's representation, there is still much work to be done for women of color."