A 2024 report found that **** percent of lead actors in films in the United States that year were female. A decade earlier, the share stood at **** percent. The 2024 figure marks a significant increase in comparison to the previous year.Â
Behind the scenes
Whereas female share in lead roles in cinema has mostly increased, that progress is much slower behind the camera. Despite reaching an all-time high in 2021, women represented less than a quarter of movie writers in 2024. That gap is even wider for directing roles. As of 2024, women still accounted for less than ** percent of all movie directors, a significant decrease compared to the figures recorded in 2021.
Who goes to the movies?
During a survey concluded during the first quarter of 2024, men aged 18 to 34 represented ** percent of the movie-going audience. Among women of the same age, the share stood at ** percent, the highest value among all age brackets considered. Anoter study led in 2025 showed that Gen Z consumers went to the movies more frequently than other generations. About a third of Gen Z respondents claimed to go to the theaters a few times a month, while movie-going frequency decreased with age.
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University of California (Social Sciences). (March 7, 2025). Distribution of lead actors in movies in the United States from 2011 to 2024, by gender [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Retrieved July 20, 2026, from /statistics/692465/distribution-lead-actors-gender/
University of California (Social Sciences). "Distribution of lead actors in movies in the United States from 2011 to 2024, by gender." Chart. March 7, 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Accessed July 20, 2026. /statistics/692465/distribution-lead-actors-gender/
University of California (Social Sciences). (2025). Distribution of lead actors in movies in the United States from 2011 to 2024, by gender. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 20, 2026. /statistics/692465/distribution-lead-actors-gender/
University of California (Social Sciences). "Distribution of Lead Actors in Movies in The United States from 2011 to 2024, by Gender." ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc., 7 Mar 2025, /statistics/692465/distribution-lead-actors-gender/
University of California (Social Sciences), Distribution of lead actors in movies in the United States from 2011 to 2024, by gender ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, /statistics/692465/distribution-lead-actors-gender/ (last visited July 20, 2026)
Distribution of lead actors in movies in the United States from 2011 to 2024, by gender [Graph], University of California (Social Sciences), March 7, 2025. [Online]. Available: /statistics/692465/distribution-lead-actors-gender/