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Story perspectives

Women Directors Hit 7-Year Low in Top Films

1/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

In 2025, 9 women directed the top 100 grossing films, yielding an 8.1% share and marking a seven-year low.
The Annenberg Inclusion Initiative report, authored by Dr. Stacey L. Smith, attributes the decline to pre-DEI executive decisions.
Women of color comprised 5.4% of directors, surpassing white women for the first time.
Disney led in hiring women directors.
The study excluded streaming-only films, where women's representation is higher.

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Story summary

In 2025, 9 women directed the top 100 grossing films, yielding an 8.1% share and marking a seven-year low.
The Annenberg Inclusion Initiative report, authored by Dr. Stacey L. Smith, attributes the decline to pre-DEI executive decisions.
Women of color comprised 5.4% of directors, surpassing white women for the first time.
Disney led in hiring women directors.
The study excluded streaming-only films, where women's representation is higher.