Among the 100 top-grossing films theatrically released in 2025, only 39 featured a female-identified actor in a lead or co-lead role, according to USC Annenberg*.
This marks a significant step back compared with 2024 (55%), although it does not reach the historic low of 2007 (20%).
*The main think tank studying diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry worldwide since 2007.
In addition to gender, the study examines two other variables: age and race/ethnicity.
Historically, the number of films with women aged 45 or older in a lead or co-lead role has been very small. The same was true in 2025.
A similar picture emerges regarding the number of films with women from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups in leading roles.
Let’s take a closer look.
In 2025, there were 4 films (among the 100 top-grossing) with a woman aged 45+ as a lead or co-lead (8 in 2024, 1 in 2007).
These were:
All four actresses were White.
In the same year, there were 30 films with 31 male leads or co-leads aged 45 or older (a pattern that has remained relatively consistent since 2007).
Put simply, men continue to secure leading roles later in life, while women do not.
The study also records several racial/ethnic groups, classifying them into two categories: underrepresented groups or not (White).
Among the 100 top films of 2025, 34 featured a total of 35 lead or co-lead actors from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups (26 films in 2024, 13 in 2007).
However, only 15 films featured a woman of color as a lead or co-lead (14 in 2024, 1 in 2007).
In 2025, for the 7th time since 2007, not a single film featured a woman of color aged 45+ in a lead or co-lead role (1 in 2024, 0 in 2007).
In the same year, 24 films featured a White male aged 45+ as the lead driving the plot.
In other words, older White men appeared 24 times more often among the 100 top films of 2025 than older women of color.
The study also evaluated the major distributors (studios) behind the 100 top films of 2025, examining a simple metric:
the share of their films with a female lead or co-lead.
Findings:
Netflix* withdrew from the acquisition of Warner Bros., leaving Paramount to prevail with a $111 billion deal.
This merger, currently under review for potential antitrust violations, does not appear particularly promising for inclusion.
According to the study, a Netflix–Warner Bros. merger would likely have resulted in more films centered on women and people of color.
*Since 2019, at least half of Netflix films have featured a woman in a lead or co-lead role.
Popular films on streaming platforms may have a different composition of leads and co-leads.
This study examined only theatrically released films, because they reveal how much studios and producers value inclusion.
As the report concludes:
“Until decision-makers realize that audiences are interested in stories about women and people of color, little will change each year.”
2024 recorded significant progress for women, while 2025 showed gains for people of color.
This suggests that progress is not steady, but instead fluctuates across different groups from year to year.
In other words, Hollywood struggles to address multiple inclusion challenges at the same time.
