Hollywood Diversity Gains Reverse As Streaming Opportunities Shrink, UCLA Report Finds
The report found women-directed streaming films fell to 23.6% and lead roles for actors of color dropped to 36% in 2025.
- On Wednesday, the UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report revealed that diversity in streaming movies declined across every studied category in 2025, analyzing 89 original English-language films distributed on major platforms.
- Report authors attribute this reversal to industry belt-tightening and backlash against DEI programs. President Donald Trump issued executive orders targeting DEI earlier this year, prompting corporations like Disney to scale back initiatives.
- Lead roles for actors of color sank to 36% in 2025, down from 51% in 2024. The share of films directed by women dropped to 23.6%, while BIPOC directors saw their share fall to 31.5%.
- Netflix's "KPop Demon Hunters," directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, remained on the streamer's Top 10 list for 52 consecutive weeks, generating 20.6 billion hours viewed. The film served as a rare "bright spot" amid the diversity decline.
- Researchers warn that studios rolling back representation risk losing long-term brand loyalty and subscriber retention. Report co-author Ana-Christina Ramón stated, "There's no going back if a studio wants to be profitable and relevant.
12 Articles
12 Articles
UCLA Report: Diversity Fell in Streaming Films in 2025
Representation of women and minorities in Hollywood streaming-service productions took a big dive last year, despite the success of runaway hits such as “KPop Demon Hunters,” according to a UCLA report released Wednesday. The latest UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report found that women and people of color saw drops in representation in almost all categories, including lead actors, directors, writers and overall cast. In the directing category, the st…
Despite 'KPop Demon Hunters,' Diversity in Streaming Movies Eroded in 2025, UCLA Study Finds
“KPop Demon Hunters,” the undisputed queen of streaming movies in 2025 with 20.6 billion hours viewed on Netflix, was a cross-cultural hit starring and directed by Asian women. But they are the lone bright spot in an otherwise dismal edition of UCLA’s Hollywood Diversity Report, which found that just like on the theatrical side, the diversity push in streaming films is quickly eroding. “This is an industry in flux — and in reverse, especially wh…
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