On-Screen Inertia: Persistent Racial and Gender Disparities in Hollywood Film (1900-2024)

A comprehensive analysis of 76,815 U.S. English-language films from 1900-2024, utilizing over 3.1 million cast and crew entries, reveals persistent 'on-screen inertia' regarding racial and gender diversity in Hollywood. Despite modest increases in the raw inclusion of women and racial minorities, white actors have become increasingly overrepresented relative to U.S. census data in recent decades. Women continue to experience a 'longevity penalty' within the visibility layer.

Why it matters

This research highlights that superficial diversity metrics, such as headcounts, may mask deeper structural inequities within industries. Organizations relying solely on these metrics risk failing to achieve meaningful inclusion, which can impact talent retention, market relevance, and narrative authenticity. A deeper examination of systemic positioning and career progression is crucial for effective long-term strategy.

Key insights

• The research analyzed 76,815 U.S. English-language films from 1900-2024 and over 3.1 million cast and crew entries.
• It moves beyond simple headcounts to examine long-term inclusion trends, including network centrality, occupational stereotypes, crew-to-cast diversity pathways, and financial outcomes.
• A concept termed 'on-screen inertia' identifies a stagnation in structural change despite increased raw inclusion.
• White actors have become more overrepresented relative to the U.S. Census in recent decades, despite efforts towards diversification.
• Women consistently face a 'longevity penalty' within the visibility layer of film production.

Source

arXiv — Computers and Society — https://arxiv.org/abs/2608.28613