NBC News: Female-led films rise in 2024, but gender gaps persist in Hollywood

According to a new study from the San Diego State University Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film, from "Wicked" to "Moana", female-led films made a strong impact at the box office, with 42% of 2024’s top-grossing movies featuring female protagonists—a rare moment of parity with male-led films. 

NBC News' Chloe Melas reports on the persistent disparities, where men still dominate speaking roles and on-screen presence, and representation drops significantly when women aren’t behind the camera.

Female-led films rise in 2024, but gender gaps persist in Hollywood

The Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film at San Diego State University is home to the longest-running and most comprehensive studies of women in film and television. Dedicated to producing extensive and timely research, studies generated by the Center provide the foundation for a realistic and meaningful discussion of women’s on-screen representation and behind-the-scenes employment.