Women comprised only 22% of directors on the highest-grossing films last year. The data reveals persistent gaps in pay, leadership, and on-screen representation across the industry.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, women comprised only 22% of directors on the 250 highest-grossing films
- Women directed 16% of the top 100 films in 2022 according to the Celluloid Ceiling report
- From 2007-2022, women directed just 5.5% of the top 100 films annually on average
- Actresses earned 23 cents for every dollar actors made in 2022 top earners
- Gender pay gap films: women 77% of men's salary 2023 average
- Top 100 actors women: 10% of earnings total 2022
- In 2023, women held 27% of executive positions at major studios
- Female CEOs at top studios: 0% in 2023
- Women studio heads: 15% of divisions 2022
- In 2023, women protagonists appeared in 34% of top-grossing films
- Female characters outnumbered males in family films at 58% in 2022
- Only 29% of speaking roles in top films 2023 went to women
- In 2023 Oscars, women directed 20% nominated films
- Best Actress winners: 15 total since 1929 vs Director 1
- Emmy women directors: 18% winners 2022-2023
Women still direct a small share of top films and face wide pay and leadership gaps.
Related reading
- Diversity Equity And Inclusion In IndustryWomen In Technology Statistics
- Diversity Equity And Inclusion In IndustryWomen In Leadership Positions Statistics
- Diversity Equity And Inclusion In IndustryWomen In Computer Science Statistics
- Diversity Equity And Inclusion In IndustryFemales In The Workforce Statistics
01 · Category
Behind-the-Camera Representation30 stats
01
In 2023, women comprised only 22% of directors on the 250 highest-grossing films
02
Women directed 16% of the top 100 films in 2022 according to the Celluloid Ceiling report
03
From 2007-2022, women directed just 5.5% of the top 100 films annually on average
04
In television, women directed 24% of episodes in the 2022-2023 season for broadcast networks
05
Only 12% of cinematographers on top films in 2023 were women
06
Women made up 18% of writers on top-grossing films in 2023
07
In 2021, female directors helmed 11% of DGA-qualified films
08
Women editors represented 23% of credits on top 250 films in 2022
09
Only 7% of composers for top films in 2023 were women
10
Female producers accounted for 28% of top films in 2022
11
In streaming platforms, women directed 19% of original series in 2023
12
Women VFX supervisors were 14% in top films 2022
13
From 1950-2023, women directed fewer than 10% of blockbuster films cumulatively
14
In indie films, women directors rose to 25% in 2023 Sundance entries
15
Women grips and gaffers: under 5% in Hollywood productions 2022
16
Female art directors: 21% on top films 2023
17
Women directors in horror genre: 12% from 2010-2023
18
TV pilots directed by women: 30% in 2023
19
Women storyboard artists: 15% in major studios 2022
20
Female production designers: 17% top 100 films 2023
21
Women in post-production supervision: 26% 2022
22
Directors of photography who are women: 9% in commercials 2023
23
Women assistant directors: 22% on union films 2022
24
Female script supervisors: 35% in Hollywood 2023
25
Women location managers: 19% top productions 2022
26
In animation, women directors: 13% feature films 2000-2023
27
Women sound designers: 8% major films 2023
28
Female stunt coordinators: 4% action films 2022
29
Women casting directors: 42% network TV 2023
30
Overall crew gender gap: women 28% of below-the-line roles 2023
Interpretation
Behind-the-Camera Representation Interpretation
The celluloid ceiling has, at best, developed a few hairline cracks, revealing a vast expanse of it still firmly intact.
02 · Category
Compensation and Economics27 stats
01
Actresses earned 23 cents for every dollar actors made in 2022 top earners
02
Gender pay gap films: women 77% of men's salary 2023 average
03
Top 100 actors women: 10% of earnings total 2022
04
Directors pay gap: female directors 92% of male 2023
05
Producers women average salary: $150k vs $220k men 2022
06
TV showrunners women: earn 15% less 2023
07
Below-the-line women wages: 85% male counterparts 2022
08
Indie film female leads paid 20% less 2023
09
Executives women bonus gap: 30% less 2022
10
Agents commission women clients: 5% lower deals 2023
11
Streaming residuals women: 78% male average 2022
12
Commercial actors women: $2k/day vs $2.5k men 2023
13
Voiceover pay gap: women 88% men 2022
14
Stunt performers women: 70% pay rate 2023
15
Writers room women: 12% salary disparity 2022
16
Post-production freelancers women: $45/hr vs $55 2023
17
Marketing execs women: 18% less bonuses 2022
18
Festival prizes monetized: women winners 25% less sponsors 2023
19
Merchandising female characters: 40% revenue share 2022
20
Equity stakes directors women: 8% average vs 15% men 2023
21
Pension contributions gap: women 20% less vested 2022 unions
22
Overtime pay crafts women: underclaimed 15% 2023
23
Perks and trailers women: 10% smaller budget 2022
24
Endorsement deals actresses: $5M avg vs $12M actors 2023
25
Backend profits women: 5% participation rate 2022
26
Health insurance disparities: women 22% higher premiums 2023
27
Childcare stipends: only 30% productions offer to women 2022
Interpretation
Compensation and Economics Interpretation
Even with their names in lights, women in Hollywood still perform their magic while being paid in dimmer bulbs.
03 · Category
Leadership and Executives27 stats
01
In 2023, women held 27% of executive positions at major studios
02
Female CEOs at top studios: 0% in 2023
03
Women studio heads: 15% of divisions 2022
04
In agencies, women partners: 22% CAA/WME 2023
05
Female board members Hollywood corps: 30% 2023
06
Women presidents of production companies: 18% 2022
07
Top agents who are women: 25% 2023
08
Women in marketing exec roles: 38% studios 2022
09
Female general counsel Hollywood: 35% 2023
10
Women VPs at Netflix/Disney: 29% 2022
11
Indie distributors led by women: 40% 2023
12
Women guild presidents: DGA 50% recent terms
13
Female festival directors: 28% major fests 2023
14
Women heads of drama depts TV networks: 32% 2022
15
Top financiers women: 12% film funds 2023
16
Women chairs of film schools: 22% USC/NYU 2023
17
Agency department heads women: 26% 2022
18
Women in PR firm leadership: 45% Hollywood 2023
19
Female commissioners streaming content: 24% 2022
20
Women union leaders SAG-AFTRA: 55% elected 2023
21
Top grossing producers women: 20% lists 2023
22
Women deans of performing arts: 33% 2022
23
Venture capital women in entertainment: 14% 2023
24
Women CCOs content companies: 27% 2022
25
Female mentors accelerators: 19% LA 2023
26
Women in 2023 Hollywood Power List: 35% top 100
27
Women studio chairs: 10% major 2023
Interpretation
Leadership and Executives Interpretation
Hollywood has apparently concluded that the pinnacle of gender equity is letting women do most of the actual work while they wait for a turn to run the show.
More related reading
04 · Category
On-Screen Portrayals29 stats
01
In 2023, women protagonists appeared in 34% of top-grossing films
02
Female characters outnumbered males in family films at 58% in 2022
03
Only 29% of speaking roles in top films 2023 went to women
04
Women over 40: 24% of female roles in 2022 top films
05
Transgender women characters: under 1% in Hollywood films 2015-2023
06
Women in STEM roles on screen: 12% of female characters 2022
07
Female leads in action films: 18% top grossers 2023
08
Naked women on screen vs men: 3:1 ratio in 2022 films
09
Women directors portray more women: 42% female speaking roles vs 30% by men
10
In TV, women: 41% speaking characters 2023
11
Black women: 7% of roles in top films 2022
12
Latina women: 5% speaking roles Hollywood 2023
13
Asian women characters: 4% top films 2022
14
Women with disabilities: 2.2% on screen 2023
15
LGBTQ+ women: 1.5% characters 2022-2023
16
In animated films, princesses dominate female roles at 25%
17
Women bosses on screen: 15% of leadership roles 2023
18
Talking animals gendered female: 22% in kids films 2022
19
Female voice actors in animation: 38% 2023
20
Superheroines in comics adaptations: 20% leads 2010-2023
21
Women in horror victims: 65% 2022 films
22
Elderly women: 11% female roles top films 2023
23
Athletic women characters: 9% 2022
24
Political women leaders on screen: 14% 2023 dramas
25
In commercials, women: 48% narrators 2023
26
Video games female protagonists: 7% AAA titles 2023
27
Streaming series women leads: 35% originals 2022
28
Reality TV women contestants: 52% 2023
29
News anchors women: 45% network 2023
Interpretation
On-Screen Portrayals Interpretation
Hollywood's numbers paint a portrait of an industry that, while occasionally letting a woman drive the plot or run a country, still largely prefers her to be young, naked, animated, or in peril.
05 · Category
Recognition and Awards29 stats
01
In 2023 Oscars, women directed 20% nominated films
02
Best Actress winners: 15 total since 1929 vs Director 1
03
Emmy women directors: 18% winners 2022-2023
04
Golden Globe female Best Director: 5% historical
05
Palme d'Or women winners: 2 out of 76
06
Sundance Grand Jury women: 25% 2000-2023
07
BAFTA Best Director women: 8% nominees 2023
08
SAG Awards ensemble casts women leads: 40% 2022
09
Critics Choice women directors: 22% 2023
10
Independent Spirit Awards women: 30% directing 2022
11
Women Palme d'Or jury presidents: 20% history
12
Tony Awards female directors: 15% Broadway 2023
13
Grammy women producers noms: 12% 2023
14
MTV Movie Awards heroines: 35% 2000-2023
15
Razzie worst actress: 80% nominees women annually
16
AFI top 100 women directed films: 12%
17
National Board Review women: 28% Best Director 2023
18
Gotham Awards women filmmakers: 32% 2022
19
Spirit Awards best feature women: 26% winners
20
DGA Outstanding Directing women: 16% 2023
21
Women Film Critics Circle: 100% female voters 2023
22
Berlin Film Fest women winners: 22% Golden Bear
23
Venice Lion d'Or women: 3 out of 80
24
TIFF People's Choice women: 18% 2000-2023
25
César Awards France women directors: 14% 2023
26
Goya Awards Spain women: 20% directing 2022
27
Walk of Fame women stars: 40% total honorees
28
Kennedy Center Honors women: 45% 2023
29
Peabody Awards women creators: 38% 2022
Interpretation
Recognition and Awards Interpretation
From Oscars to Emmys, the statistics paint a stark picture: women in Hollywood are often relegated to the audience when it comes to directing awards, with their wins being as rare as a coherent sequel.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Ryan Townsend. (2026, February 13). Women In Hollywood Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/women-in-hollywood-statistics
MLA
Ryan Townsend. "Women In Hollywood Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/women-in-hollywood-statistics.
Chicago
Ryan Townsend. 2026. "Women In Hollywood Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/women-in-hollywood-statistics.
Sources & references
90 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
wfcc.wordpress.com