Characters in top films are white, male and middle-class

Author Moonshot.news

Published on: 04/11/2026

The vast majority of leaders in popular movies are men and if they are women, they are sexualised and objectified, an analysis of popular films across 20 countries shows. There is a persistent underrepresentation and stereotyping of female characters, particularly in leadership roles. A study by Geena Davis Institute of Gender in Media and Plan International recommends funding female filmmakers, programme makers and content producers. 

A recent study by Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and published in Frontiers in Communication  shows that films written by women are more profitable than films produced by men. 

The ones with a manuscript written by women deliver 25% higher median ROI (return on investment) and 34% higher median profits than male-only productions despite comparable budgets. 

The Geena Davis report says that male characters dominate the storylines. Women leaders, where they do exist, may be portrayed as intelligent, likable, and effective, but they are also sexualised and objectified. 

“Female leadership is rare, and at national level, women leaders are allegedly not up to the job.”

Key findings from the Geena Davis report:

• The overall makeup of the characters in the top-grossing films analysed reflect the identities of the films’ producers rather than their audience: They are white, male, and middle-class.
• In all contexts male leaders are much more visible: Overall, 42% of male characters, compared with 27% of female characters, are shown on screen as leaders.
• Overall, more female leaders than male leaders are shown as intelligent: 81% compared with 62%.
• Male leaders at national level are shown as more effective than their female counterparts: 57% compared with 44%
• Female leaders are far more likely than male leaders to be shown wearing revealing clothing: 30% compared with 7%
• Female leaders are nearly two times more likely than male leaders to be shown as partially nude: 15% compared with 8%.
• Characters who are female leaders are more likely than male leaders to be shown completely naked at some point in the film: 2% compared with 0.5%.
• Female leaders are more likely than male leaders to be sexually objectified: 15% compared with 4%.
• Female leaders are more likely than male leaders to be sexually harassed: 5% compared with 1%.