Streaming Films Lead the Way in Hollywood Diversity, New Study Reveals
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Hollywood’s diversity efforts are paying off in one key area: streaming films. A new study reveals that streaming platforms are providing more opportunities for women and people of color in front of and behind the camera.
Key Findings of the UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report
Part 2 of UCLA’s 2025 Hollywood Diversity Report, released wednesday, indicates a rise in the proportion of women and people of color in key entertainment roles within streaming films.The report also highlights that most of the top 20 streaming-only films in 2024 featured diverse casts. This follows Part 1 of the report, which showed that diverse casts in theatrical releases correlated with better box office performance.
Did You Know? Streaming platforms are increasingly becoming a space where diverse stories and faces are finding representation, both on and off screen.
According to the study, actors of color played one out of every two lead roles in top streaming movies in 2024. both people of color and women exceeded proportional representation in lead streaming film roles.
Representation by the Numbers
- Actors of color starred in 51% of the top streaming releases in 2024, up from 45% in 2023.
- In contrast, actors of color held 25.2% of lead roles in top theatrical films of 2024, down from 29.2%.
- Women accounted for 61% of lead streaming film roles in 2024, an increase from 51% in 2023.
While these numbers show progress, the report also indicates that Latinx and Asian actors remain underrepresented in lead streaming roles. Specifically, Latinx actors held 6% of lead streaming roles, and Asian actors held just 2%. According to census data, 19.5% of the U.S.population identifies as hispanic or Latino, and 6.4% as Asian U.S. Census Bureau.
Pro Tip: Supporting diverse content on streaming platforms can definitely help drive further representation and create more opportunities for underrepresented groups.
Budget Discrepancies Between Streaming and Theatrical Films
One significant difference between streaming and theatrical movies is the budget. The study found that 65.5% of top streaming releases in 2024 had budgets under $20 million. In comparison, 65.3% of theatrical films that year had budgets higher than $20 million, with 26% having budgets of $100 million or more. Only 4.4% of streaming films had budgets in that range in 2024.
The report also revealed that the proportion of people of color in directing and writing roles on streaming films increased in 2024.Thirty percent of top streaming films had writers of color, while 41% were directed by people of color. However, women saw a slight decrease, accounting for 28% of directors and 37% of writers, compared to 31% and 41% in 2023, respectively.
| category | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Actors of Color (Streaming Leads) | 45% | 51% |
| Actors of Color (Theatrical Leads) | 29.2% | 25.2% |
| Women (Streaming leads) | 51% | 61% |
| Directors of Color (Streaming Films) | N/A | 41% |
| Women Directors (Streaming Films) | 31% | 28% |
The Broader Context of diversity in hollywood
The push for diversity in Hollywood has been a long and ongoing process. While progress has been made, particularly in streaming, challenges remain in achieving equitable representation across all sectors of the entertainment industry.Advocacy groups and industry initiatives continue to work towards creating more opportunities for underrepresented groups and ensuring that diverse stories are told.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diversity in Streaming
Why is diversity in streaming vital?
Diversity in streaming ensures that a wider range of stories and perspectives are represented, reflecting the diverse audiences who consume media.
What factors contribute to the success of diverse streaming films?
Diverse casts and storytellers attract a broader audience, leading to increased viewership and engagement on social media.
How can viewers support diversity in streaming?
Viewers can support diversity by watching and sharing diverse content, engaging with it on social media, and advocating for more inclusive representation.
What are your favorite diverse streaming films? How can Hollywood continue to improve representation on screen?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and help us continue the conversation!
