The Geena Davis Institute’s 2024 Film Study revealed that, despite being 37.8% of all characters, women are taking the lead in the $20–$50M budget range, where they account for 51.9% of leads. However, the overall picture is less balanced: male characters dominate 62.1% of screen roles, and only 35.3% of all leads are female. Among female leads, 64.5% are white, highlighting limited racial diversity. Encouragingly, 72% of films passed the Bechdel Test, which measures the representation of women in film and other fiction, indicating progress in featuring meaningful female interactions.
Characters of color now make up 40.5% of all characters, with Black characters (20.5%) leading, followed by Asian/Pacific Islanders (11.6%) and Latinx (5.8%). Notably, PG-rated films had the most diverse leads, with 61.9% being people of color. However, leads of color drop to 28.4% in PG-13 films, demonstrating a disparity in inclusion across age-appropriate content.
LGBTQIA+ characters remain underrepresented, making up just 1.5% of all characters and 2.9% of leads. Their presence is most notable in $20–$50M films, yet they are absent in higher-budget productions. Furthermore, LGBTQIA+ characters are often sexualized, with 16.7% appearing in sexually revealing clothing compared to 4.2% of non-LGBTQIA+ characters.
Disabled characters appear in only 2% of films, vastly underrepresenting the 27.2% of the U.S. population with disabilities. Leads with disabilities are seen exclusively in mid-range budget films ($50–$100M), emphasizing a need for broader inclusion across all budgets and genres.
Fat characters account for 6.5% of all characters, with only 2% featured as leads, primarily in comedy and drama genres. Age representation is similarly skewed, with just 18.7% of characters aged 50 and older, and only 15.8% of leads in this age group. Despite these low numbers, older characters were more likely to hold leadership roles.
GDI urged studios to green-light more female-led projects, diversify LGBTQIA+ storylines, and increase roles for disabled and older characters. By broadening the range of occupations and motivations for characters, filmmakers can dismantle stereotypes and promote more authentic, inclusive narratives.
While progress is evident, especially for women in mid-budget films, significant work remains. Achieving true equity in representation will require sustained commitment and innovative storytelling that reflects the richness of human diversity.
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