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Women Directors in U.S. Films Plummet to 8.1% in 2025

12/31/2025

26 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

In 2025, women directors in the top 100 U.S. films fell to 8.1% with nine directors, down from 13.4% in 2024.
The USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative says executive decisions before the 2024 election shaped results, not political changes, according to Dr. Stacey L. Smith.
Women of color directed 5.4% of films, surpassing white women for the first time.
Disney led in hiring women directors.
Several major studios had none.

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Story summary

In 2025, women directors in the top 100 U.S. films fell to 8.1% with nine directors, down from 13.4% in 2024.
The USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative says executive decisions before the 2024 election shaped results, not political changes, according to Dr. Stacey L. Smith.
Women of color directed 5.4% of films, surpassing white women for the first time.
Disney led in hiring women directors.
Several major studios had none.