Inside out 2, Wicked... created gender equality on the big screen in America. This success was not due to luck, but the result of decades of fighting for gender equality, changing mindsets from within Hollywood and a strong shift in audience tastes.
Inside out 2, Wicked and A quiet place: Day one all have female lead actors - Photo: The Hollywood Reporter
There was a time when female characters on the big screen were only seen as the male lead's love interest, a waiting wife, or a girl in need of rescue.
Women are truly at the forefront now. They are not just present, they are shining, leading stories that captivate millions of viewers. Perhaps never in the history of Hollywood have women had a more glorious year than 2024.
2024 is the golden year for women in Hollywood
According to the Guardian , Dr. Martha Lauzen's annual It's a Man's (Celluloid) World report found that of the 100 highest-grossing films of 2024, 42% had female protagonists, equal to men.
42% - a seemingly small number, but if you look at the history of American cinema, you will see that it is a long way.
A number that does not come from a moment of luck, but is the result of decades of struggle, changing thinking from within Hollywood, as well as a strong shift in audience tastes.
Demi Moore's success at the age of 62 is causing a stir in the film industry. She is expected to be a strong candidate for this year's Oscar - Photo: Reuters
"2024 brings one of the richest slates of female-led films in recent years," says Dr. Martha Lauzen Lauzen.
It's no secret that films with female leads are box office successes. This isn't just a change driven by economics, but also the result of a concerted effort by advocacy organizations, studios, and DEI initiatives to promote gender equality on screen."
Cynthia Erivo (left) and Ariana Grande starred in Wicked, setting many box office records and achieving certain achievements at recent prestigious film awards - Photo: IMDb
This is a sign that the world cinema is starting to listen to the audience. Films like Wicked, Inside out 2, The Substance, Moana 2, Mean girls or It ends with us are not simply successful because of the marketing campaign or the reputation of the film studio.
More broadly, these works tap into a very real public desire: to see strong, multidimensional, complex women - not just beautiful, not just the backdrop, but truly heroes who lead the story in their own way.
The campaign to promote gender equality has not stopped
However, another issue worth noting is that women over 45 are still underrepresented on the big screen. Of the 100 highest-grossing films of the year, only eight were led by older women, while 21 had older men as leads.
This not only reflects an inherent bias in Hollywood, but also directly affects the career opportunities of veteran actresses - who could still contribute with deep roles.
Last year, actress Jane Seymour, 74, criticized ageism in Hollywood: "I don't think there's a deadline for women" - Photo: New Beauty
If an actor can continue to play leading roles into his 50s and 60s without anyone complaining, then why should an actress stop when she turns 40?
Not only on screen, the presence of women behind the scenes is still significantly limited.
When 70% of the top-grossing films are still helmed by male-led teams, it shows that there is still a long way to go for women to truly take control of their own stories.
First trailer of Wicked season 2
Looking ahead, though, the world can still look forward to 2025 continuing to witness the rise of women on the big screen. With Ballerina, M3gan 2.0, The Bride! or Wicked: For Good , it seems that female leads will continue to assert their position at the box office.
But more importantly, it's not just about "being present," it's about whether they're truly empowered to tell their stories.
Hollywood is still changing, but to reach a truly equal cinema, the journey cannot stop here.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tai-sao-dien-vien-nam-van-co-the-dong-chinh-den-60-tuoi-ma-phu-nu-45-tuoi-hollywood-da-che-20250214133248376.htm
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