LGBTQ-inclusive movies released by network U.S.| ��ƽ��

Share of LGBTQ-inclusive movies released in the United States in 2023, by network

Characteristic	Share of films
Amazon Studios	38%
The Walt Disney Company	38%
Netflix	35%
A24	31%
Paramount Global	25%
Sony Pictures Entertainment	23%
NBCUniversal Pictures	20%
Apple TV+	17%
Lionsgate	17%
Warner Bros. Discovery	13%

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Release date

September 2024

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Region

United States

Survey time period

2023

Supplementary notes

This statistic is based on a report by GLAAD which centred its analysis on U.S. theatrically released films from the seven film studio distributors that had the highest theatrical grosses from films released in the 2021 calendar year (January 1 - December 31) as reported by the box office database Box Office Mojo. This report examined films that were distributed theatrically during the 2021 calendar year (January 1 - December 31) in the United States under the official studio banners and imprints as reported by Box Office Mojo, the studios, and other relevant entertainment reporting sources. GLAAD did not include any theatrical re-releases or special events such as filmed live events in this count. Films distributed by these studios’ "art house" divisions were analyzed separately and are not part of the parent studio's final assessment. The total number of films released by major studios that met their criteria was 77. Each film was researched and reviewed for inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) characters. The total number of LGBTQ characters was recorded for each film, as well as each character's race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability status based on what was presented in the film.

Citation formats

In 2023, 48 percent of movies released by Amazon Studios and The Walt Disney Company. Discovery included LGBTQ characters, making it the most LGBTQ-inclusive out of all the studios considered. In third place was Netflix at 35 percent, which was followed by A24 at 31 percent.

An uphill battle

 According to a study by GLAAD, 28.5 percent of the movies released by the seven highest-grossing movie studio distributors were LGBTQ-inclusive. That same year, 55 percent of LGBTQ-inclusive movies starred gay male characters, making them the most represented among the LGBTQ+ community, whereas only one movie included a transgender character. Moreover, 77 percent of these movies passed the Vito Russo Test, while only 56 percent did the previous year. To pass the test, a movie must contain a character that is identifiably LGBTQ, not reduced to their sexuality or gender identity, and is important to the plot.

Towards more diversity

 However, many consumers expect more diversity and representation of marginalized characters in the media they consume. That is particularly true as the share of people belonging to the LGBTQ community has increased with each generation. As of 2022, 19.7 percent of Gen Zers identified as LGBTQ. Superhero movies, which are currently among the highest-grossing franchises and movies series, are not diverse enough according to their younger audience. While 38 percent of Gen Zers think that they should include more LGBTQ characters, 41 percent want to see more characters with disabilities and 53 percent wish for more Black characters.