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
Behind-the-Camera Representation
1In 2023, women comprised only 22% of directors on the 250 highest-grossing films
Verified
2Women directed 16% of the top 100 films in 2022 according to the Celluloid Ceiling report
Verified
3From 2007-2022, women directed just 5.5% of the top 100 films annually on average
Single source
4In television, women directed 24% of episodes in the 2022-2023 season for broadcast networks
Single source
5Only 12% of cinematographers on top films in 2023 were women
Verified
6Women made up 18% of writers on top-grossing films in 2023
Verified
7In 2021, female directors helmed 11% of DGA-qualified films
Verified
8Women editors represented 23% of credits on top 250 films in 2022
Verified
9Only 7% of composers for top films in 2023 were women
Verified
10Female producers accounted for 28% of top films in 2022
Verified
11In streaming platforms, women directed 19% of original series in 2023
Verified
12Women VFX supervisors were 14% in top films 2022
Verified
13From 1950-2023, women directed fewer than 10% of blockbuster films cumulatively
Verified
14In indie films, women directors rose to 25% in 2023 Sundance entries
Verified
15Women grips and gaffers: under 5% in Hollywood productions 2022
Single source
16Female art directors: 21% on top films 2023
Directional
17Women directors in horror genre: 12% from 2010-2023
Single source
18TV pilots directed by women: 30% in 2023
Verified
19Women storyboard artists: 15% in major studios 2022
Verified
20Female production designers: 17% top 100 films 2023
Directional
21Women in post-production supervision: 26% 2022
Verified
22Directors of photography who are women: 9% in commercials 2023
Verified
23Women assistant directors: 22% on union films 2022
Single source
24Female script supervisors: 35% in Hollywood 2023
Verified
25Women location managers: 19% top productions 2022
Verified
26In animation, women directors: 13% feature films 2000-2023
Verified
27Women sound designers: 8% major films 2023
Verified
28Female stunt coordinators: 4% action films 2022
Verified
29Women casting directors: 42% network TV 2023
Directional
30Overall crew gender gap: women 28% of below-the-line roles 2023
Verified
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.
Compensation and Economics
1Actresses earned 23 cents for every dollar actors made in 2022 top earners
Verified
2Gender pay gap films: women 77% of men's salary 2023 average
Verified
3Top 100 actors women: 10% of earnings total 2022
Single source
4Directors pay gap: female directors 92% of male 2023
Single source
5Producers women average salary: $150k vs $220k men 2022
Verified
6TV showrunners women: earn 15% less 2023
Verified
7Below-the-line women wages: 85% male counterparts 2022
Verified
8Indie film female leads paid 20% less 2023
Verified
9Executives women bonus gap: 30% less 2022
Verified
10Agents commission women clients: 5% lower deals 2023
Verified
11Streaming residuals women: 78% male average 2022
Verified
12Commercial actors women: $2k/day vs $2.5k men 2023
Verified
13Voiceover pay gap: women 88% men 2022
Directional
14Stunt performers women: 70% pay rate 2023
Verified
15Writers room women: 12% salary disparity 2022
Verified
16Post-production freelancers women: $45/hr vs $55 2023
Verified
17Marketing execs women: 18% less bonuses 2022
Verified
18Festival prizes monetized: women winners 25% less sponsors 2023
Verified
19Merchandising female characters: 40% revenue share 2022
Verified
20Equity stakes directors women: 8% average vs 15% men 2023
Directional
21Pension contributions gap: women 20% less vested 2022 unions
Verified
22Overtime pay crafts women: underclaimed 15% 2023
Directional
23Perks and trailers women: 10% smaller budget 2022
Verified
24Endorsement deals actresses: $5M avg vs $12M actors 2023
Single source
25Backend profits women: 5% participation rate 2022
Verified
26Health insurance disparities: women 22% higher premiums 2023
Verified
27Childcare stipends: only 30% productions offer to women 2022
Verified
Compensation and Economics Interpretation
Even with their names in lights, women in Hollywood still perform their magic while being paid in dimmer bulbs.
Leadership and Executives
1In 2023, women held 27% of executive positions at major studios
Single source
2Female CEOs at top studios: 0% in 2023
Verified
3Women studio heads: 15% of divisions 2022
Verified
4In agencies, women partners: 22% CAA/WME 2023
Verified
5Female board members Hollywood corps: 30% 2023
Directional
6Women presidents of production companies: 18% 2022
Verified
7Top agents who are women: 25% 2023
Verified
8Women in marketing exec roles: 38% studios 2022
Verified
9Female general counsel Hollywood: 35% 2023
Single source
10Women VPs at Netflix/Disney: 29% 2022
Verified
11Indie distributors led by women: 40% 2023
Directional
12Women guild presidents: DGA 50% recent terms
Single source
13Female festival directors: 28% major fests 2023
Verified
14Women heads of drama depts TV networks: 32% 2022
Verified
15Top financiers women: 12% film funds 2023
Verified
16Women chairs of film schools: 22% USC/NYU 2023
Verified
17Agency department heads women: 26% 2022
Verified
18Women in PR firm leadership: 45% Hollywood 2023
Verified
19Female commissioners streaming content: 24% 2022
Directional
20Women union leaders SAG-AFTRA: 55% elected 2023
Verified
21Top grossing producers women: 20% lists 2023
Verified
22Women deans of performing arts: 33% 2022
Single source
23Venture capital women in entertainment: 14% 2023
Verified
24Women CCOs content companies: 27% 2022
Directional
25Female mentors accelerators: 19% LA 2023
Verified
26Women in 2023 Hollywood Power List: 35% top 100
Verified
27Women studio chairs: 10% major 2023
Verified
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
On-Screen Portrayals
1In 2023, women protagonists appeared in 34% of top-grossing films
Directional
2Female characters outnumbered males in family films at 58% in 2022
Verified
3Only 29% of speaking roles in top films 2023 went to women
Verified
4Women over 40: 24% of female roles in 2022 top films
Verified
5Transgender women characters: under 1% in Hollywood films 2015-2023
Single source
6Women in STEM roles on screen: 12% of female characters 2022
Single source
7Female leads in action films: 18% top grossers 2023
Verified
8Naked women on screen vs men: 3:1 ratio in 2022 films
Verified
9Women directors portray more women: 42% female speaking roles vs 30% by men
Single source
10In TV, women: 41% speaking characters 2023
Verified
11Black women: 7% of roles in top films 2022
Verified
12Latina women: 5% speaking roles Hollywood 2023
Verified
13Asian women characters: 4% top films 2022
Verified
14Women with disabilities: 2.2% on screen 2023
Verified
15LGBTQ+ women: 1.5% characters 2022-2023
Directional
16In animated films, princesses dominate female roles at 25%
Verified
17Women bosses on screen: 15% of leadership roles 2023
Verified
18Talking animals gendered female: 22% in kids films 2022
Verified
19Female voice actors in animation: 38% 2023
Verified
20Superheroines in comics adaptations: 20% leads 2010-2023
Single source
21Women in horror victims: 65% 2022 films
Verified
22Elderly women: 11% female roles top films 2023
Verified
23Athletic women characters: 9% 2022
Verified
24Political women leaders on screen: 14% 2023 dramas
Verified
25In commercials, women: 48% narrators 2023
Single source
26Video games female protagonists: 7% AAA titles 2023
Directional
27Streaming series women leads: 35% originals 2022
Directional
28Reality TV women contestants: 52% 2023
Directional
29News anchors women: 45% network 2023
Directional
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.
Recognition and Awards
1In 2023 Oscars, women directed 20% nominated films
Verified
2Best Actress winners: 15 total since 1929 vs Director 1
Verified
3Emmy women directors: 18% winners 2022-2023
Verified
4Golden Globe female Best Director: 5% historical
Verified
5Palme d'Or women winners: 2 out of 76
Directional
6Sundance Grand Jury women: 25% 2000-2023
Verified
7BAFTA Best Director women: 8% nominees 2023
Directional
8SAG Awards ensemble casts women leads: 40% 2022
Verified
9Critics Choice women directors: 22% 2023
Verified
10Independent Spirit Awards women: 30% directing 2022
Verified
11Women Palme d'Or jury presidents: 20% history
Directional
12Tony Awards female directors: 15% Broadway 2023
Verified
13Grammy women producers noms: 12% 2023
Verified
14MTV Movie Awards heroines: 35% 2000-2023
Verified
15Razzie worst actress: 80% nominees women annually
Verified
16AFI top 100 women directed films: 12%
Verified
17National Board Review women: 28% Best Director 2023
Verified
18Gotham Awards women filmmakers: 32% 2022
Verified
19Spirit Awards best feature women: 26% winners
Verified
20DGA Outstanding Directing women: 16% 2023
Single source
21Women Film Critics Circle: 100% female voters 2023
Verified
22Berlin Film Fest women winners: 22% Golden Bear
Single source
23Venice Lion d'Or women: 3 out of 80
Verified
24TIFF People's Choice women: 18% 2000-2023
Verified
25César Awards France women directors: 14% 2023
Verified
26Goya Awards Spain women: 20% directing 2022
Verified
27Walk of Fame women stars: 40% total honorees
Verified
28Kennedy Center Honors women: 45% 2023
Verified
29Peabody Awards women creators: 38% 2022
Verified
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.
How We Rate Confidence
Models
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Single source
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Directional
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
Verified
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Models
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.
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