Hollywood Hits Milestone: Female-Led Films Match Male-Led Ones in 2024

For the first time in recent history, Hollywood saw an equal number of female and male-led films among its top-grossing releases. According to It’s a Man’s (Celluloid) World report, 42% of the 100 highest-earning films in 2024 had female protagonists, while another 42% featured male leads. The remaining 16% focused on ensemble casts.

Key Findings from the Report

The study, led by Dr. Martha Lauzen, highlighted a growing trend of female-led narratives dominating the box office. Additional research from the University of Southern California’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative and San Diego State University’s Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film supported these findings.

Some of the most successful female-led films in 2024 included Inside Out 2, Moana 2, Wicked, and A Quiet Place: Day One, with actors like Amy Poehler, Auliʻi Cravalho, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, and Lupita Nyong’o leading these projects.

Hollywood’s Most Female-Driven Studio

Universal Studios led the industry in producing female-led films, with 67% of its releases featuring women in leading roles. It was followed by Warner Bros (55.6%), Lionsgate (54.5%), Paramount (44.4%), Disney (40%), and Sony (38.5%).

A Step Forward for Representation

The numbers marked a significant rise from 2023 when only 30% of top-grossing films had female protagonists. Industry experts noted that the shift indicated changing audience preferences and a broader acceptance of diverse storytelling.

However, the report also pointed out challenges in representation, particularly concerning age. While 35% of female characters were in their 30s, the number dropped to 16% in their 40s. In contrast, the percentage of male characters increased with age, with more roles available for men over 50.

With this milestone, Hollywood continues to evolve in its portrayal of gender on screen. Whether this trend continues in the coming years remains to be seen. We hope to see Indian cinema follow a similar path, embracing diversity across all aspects—whether in gender, identity, beliefs, or lifestyles—both on and off the screen.

Image Credits: IMDb