Gender
Since 2005, the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative has examined the prevalence and portrayal of female-identified characters in entertainment. Although girls and women represent 50% of the population and 50% of movie ticket buyers, they are still underrepresented in film. The Annenberg Inclusion Initiative reports cover film, television, and digital content. We also conducted the first-ever global study on women and girls in films from 11 territories. Our reports include information on the parental and relational status of girls and women and the hypersexualization of girls and women. In certain studies, we also assess the occupations held by women, including the level of prestige or clout and how many women are shown working in STEM fields.
View our reports on gender on screen in entertainment below. For information on gender behind the scenes in entertainment, visit the Behind the Camera page.
Gender in Film, TV and Episodic Content
Inequality in 1,700 Popular Films
Annual report on top-grossing film. Includes data on employment patterns of women (directors, writers, producers, composers, and casting directors) and hiring of Black, Asian, and Hispanic/Latino directors (2007-2023).
View each report: 2024, 2023, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2010, 2009, 2008
Leading Characters in 1,800 Popular Films
A research brief on gender, race/ethnicity, and age among leading characters in the 100 top films each year from 2007 to 2023.
View each brief: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019
Economic Brief: What Sells in Film
A brief examining 126 top-grossing films from 2021 and 2022. The study found no significant relationship between the identity of the protagonist and box office success. What does matter is support in terms of budget, marketing costs, and distribution.
View the brief: 2023
Inclusion in Netflix Series and Films: 2018–2021
The Initiative analyzed Netflix’s U.S. original live-action films (249) and series (297) from 2018 to 2021. The study examined on-screen inclusion across gender, race/ethnicity, LGBTQ+ and disability. Behind the camera, gender and race/ethnicity of key personnel were assessed.
View the most recent executive summary and full report on films and series from 2023.
View the initial executive summary and full report on films and series from 2018-19.
Inclusion or Invisibility? Comprehensive Annenberg Report on Diversity (CARD)
Report examines film, television, and digital content. The study ranks companies based on inclusivity on screen and behind the camera.
View the executive summary and full report.
Gender in Music
Inclusion in the Recording Studio?
Our annual report on gender and race/ethnicity across popular songs (2012-2023) and Grammy nominations in select categories. Our 2019 report includes an analysis of qualitative interviews with 75 women songwriters and producers.
View each report: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018
Inclusion in the Music Business: Gender & Race/Ethnicity Across Executives, Artists & Talent Teams
Our first report to examine the inclusion profile of the executive ranks across six categories of the music industry, artist race/ethnicity, and that of managers, agents, and publicists.
No Country for Female Artists
A research brief examining gender inclusion across the Year-End Billboard Hot Country charts from 2014 to 2018, and nominations for five years in four categories at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
View the report here.
Reports on Specific Areas of Entertainment
Increasing Inclusion in Animation
The study evaluated females on screen, behind the camera above and below the line across film and TV, and in the executive ranks at major animation companies. In addition, a qualitative investigation examined the reasons that limit women’s access and opportunity in the industry. The study was conducted in partnership with Women in Animation.
View the report here.
Invisible in Visual Effects
The study examined women working in visual effects across 400 top-grossing films from 2016 to 2019, focusing on overall prevalence and leadership credits. The study further explored women working in the executive ranks across 60 VFX companies. Finally, awards recognition for women was assessed. The report also includes a qualitative investigation, which consists of 82 in-depth interviews with women in VFX as well as industry decision-makers. The study was conducted in partnership with Women in Animation.
View the report here.
Exploring Inclusion in Snapchat Content
The study was conducted in partnership with the Media Neuroscience Lab (MNL), University of California, Santa Barbara, and sponsored by Snap. The analysis is a multi-year, first-of-its-kind representation audit of English-language partnered content on Snapchat (content from traditional and digital native media partners). The team used a combination of computational methods and human assessors to understand how well gender, race/ethnicity, LGBTQ+, and disability were represented in Snapchat content.
View the report here.
The Ticket to Inclusion: Gender & Race/Ethnicity of Leads and Financial Performance Across 1,200 Popular Films
The report examines the economic performance of 1,200 top films from 2007 to 2018, using more than a dozen production, distribution, and exhibition factors that could influence economic performance domestically and internationally. A supplemental analysis of films with women of color in leading roles. The report was supported by ReFrame.
View the report here.
The Future is Female?
A quantitative and qualitative analysis of how popular films depict elementary and teen girls. Funded by the Jacquelyn and Gregory Zehner Foundation and Ann Lovell.
View the report here.
Gender Representation 1977-2010
Females on screen and behind the camera in Best Picture nominees. View the report here.
Gender Representation 1977-2006
Females on screen and behind the camera in Best Picture nominees. View the report here.
Gender Bias Without Borders
An investigation of female characters in popular films from 11 countries. Report prepared for the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media.
View the executive report and the full report.
Gender Roles & Occupations in Film and Television
Representation on-screen and in various industries across family films, prime-time television, and children’s shows. Prepared for the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media.
View the report here.
Occupational Portrayals in G-Rated Films
A study prepared for the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media on gender roles and occupations in G-rated content.
View the report here.
Industry Leaders’ Perceptions of Gender in Family Films
This study explores reasons for gender imbalance in family films through interviews with 108 industry leaders. Report prepared for the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media.
View the report here.
Gender Disparity in Family Films
A study of G-, PG-, and PG-13-rated content, prepared for the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media.
View the report here.
Gender Stereotypes in Popular Films and TV
Four studies of gender representation in film and television, including a qualitative analysis of protagonists in G-rated content. Report prepared for the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media
View the report here.
Cracking the Code: The Prevalence and Nature of Computer Science Depictions in Media
An investigation of how often computer science is depicted in popular films and five samples of television, and the prevalence and portrayal of females performing computer science. Report prepared for the Google CS in Media Team.
View the report here.
Gender of Film Critics
An examination of gender and race/ethnicity of film reviewers across the top 100 films each year from 2015-2017.
View the reports here: top 100 films of 2017, top 300 films from 2015-2017