UCLA 2025 Report Shows Streaming Films Leading in Diversity

In a significant revelation regarding the film industry, the latest installment of UCLA's Hollywood Diversity Report, released on June 18, 2025, indicates that streaming films have surpassed theatrical releases in diversity representation. The report's findings suggest a positive trend in the composition of key entertainment roles among women and people of color in streaming films, highlighting a shift in the industry's landscape.

According to Dr. Ana-Christina Ramón, co-founder of the report and director of the Entertainment and Media Research Initiative at UCLA, this year's findings mark a noteworthy achievement in diversity efforts within Hollywood. "People across the country support diverse films regardless of whether it’s in a theater or from the comfort of their couch," she stated in a press release. The report indicates that 51% of lead roles in the top streaming films of 2024 were played by actors of color, an increase from 45% in 2023. This contrasts sharply with the 25.2% representation of actors of color in lead roles within theatrical films during the same period, a decline from 29.2%.

The report analyzed 100 of the highest-grossing English-language streaming films released in 2024, as well as 175 film deals documented that year, focusing on the demographics of actors, writers, and directors involved. The results show that while women represented 51% of leads in streaming films in 2023, this number rose to 61% in 2024. Notably, the representation of Latinx and Asian actors, however, remains a concern, with Latinx actors holding only 6% of lead roles and Asian actors just 2%, despite their respective populations in the U.S. being 19.5% and 6.4%.

In comparison to theatrical films, where the budget significantly influences production dynamics, 65.5% of top streaming releases had budgets under $20 million, while 65.3% of theatrical films exceeded that threshold, with some costing over $100 million. This disparity may contribute to the greater variety and representation seen in streaming films, as smaller budgets often allow for more innovative storytelling and diverse casting.

Dr. Jade Abston, a co-author of the report and doctoral candidate in cinema media studies, emphasized the importance of diverse storytelling in driving viewership. She remarked, "Our data shows that diverse storytellers and actors draw in and engage people from every demographic. They’re not just watching it — they’re sharing it with their social media followers and talking about it online."

Despite the progress made in streaming films, the report also highlights ongoing challenges. While the representation of actors with disabilities gained some ground, they remain significantly underrepresented. Furthermore, the percentage of women directors and writers for streaming films dropped slightly to 28% and 37%, respectively, compared to previous years. This indicates that, while strides are being made, significant work remains to ensure that all underrepresented groups are adequately represented in Hollywood.

Overall, the UCLA 2025 Hollywood Diversity Report illustrates a clear trend towards greater diversity in streaming films compared to traditional theatrical releases. As the industry continues to evolve, the insights from this report may inform future initiatives aimed at promoting inclusivity and diversity across all facets of film production. The implications of these findings could reshape strategic decisions within Hollywood, influencing not only casting choices but also funding and production strategies moving forward.

For further details, the full report is available for public access through the UCLA Entertainment and Media Research Initiative.