Hollywood Diversity Gains Reverse As Streaming Opportunities Shrink, UCLA Report Finds

LOS ANGELES, CA — Progress for women and people of color in streaming films appears to be slipping, according to UCLA's latest Hollywood Diversity Report released this week.

Researchers found that in 2025, representation declined across key categories including directors, writers, lead actors and overall casts.

The percentage of lead actors of color dropped from 51% in 2024 to 36% last year, while films directed by women fell to 23.6%, the lowest percentage ever recorded in the report's history.

The report also found that, for the first time since UCLA began tracking streaming releases in 2022, movies featuring majority non-white casts no longer represented the largest share of releases, falling from 41% to 25.8%.

"After the big numbers we saw for diversity in streaming originals just a couple of years ago, we now see the path closing for people of color and women to premiere their film on a major streamer," said report co-founder Ana-Christina Ramón, the director of the Entertainment and Media Research Initiative.

Despite the decline in representation, the report highlighted the success of Netflix's animated hit "KPop Demon Hunters," which became the platform's most-watched original film and drew strong viewership across demographic groups.

UCLA researchers said the findings suggest studios risk alienating key audiences if they continue moving away from diverse storytelling.

"This is an industry in flux — and in reverse, especially when it comes to diversification," UCLA Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Darnell Hunt said.

The Hollywood Diversity Report was released Wednesday by UCLA's Entertainment and Media Research Initiative. Read the full report here.