The number of LGBTQ characters in feature films has declined for the third year in a row, according to a new study from GLAAD.
The advocacy organization has published the 14th edition of a report tracking LGBTQ representation in film — the study is now called Where We Are in Film after previously being called the Studio Responsibility Index — based on data from films released by the 10 largest studio distributors from January 1 to December 31, 2025. Distributor lists include A24, Amazon, Apple TV, Lionsgate, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount, Sony, Disney and Warner. Bros., along with its majority-owned distribution subsidiaries and streaming services.
Of the 225 films released last year, 46 contained LGBTQ characters, or 20.4 percent. This represents a decrease from 2024, when 59 out of 250 films contained LGBTQ characters, or 23.6%. This is the third consecutive decline from the record set in 2023, when 28.5% of films featured an LGBTQ character. The number of characters also decreased to 112 from 181 the previous year.
GLAAD also reported that there were no LGBTQ characters in 19 films rated as animated/family films that were rated PG or lower, and no transgender characters appeared in the group of 225 films from the top 10 studio distributors. Characters of color were also down 36 percent from 2024 data. Another big decline came with bisexual characters: Of the 46 films that featured LGBTQ characters, 10, or 22%, had a bisexual character, down from 25% the year before.
The organization cited horror films as a “bright spot” for LGBTQ inclusion by flagging entries as I know what you did last summer, parenting, guys, Weapons And more. She also stated that mid-budget films between $15 million and $90 million “continue to be a place where GLAAD has found important representation of LGBTQ stories.”
“If the industry does not prioritize investing in films with LGBTQ characters, it risks losing a generation that will go elsewhere to find entertainment that is inclusive of our community,” warned Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD’s president and CEO.
“Gen Z represents the largest share of North American moviegoers. Gen Z also has the highest percentage of people who say they are part of the LGBTQ community, with Gallup reporting that more than one in five (23 percent) of Americans under 30 are LGBTQ. If studios want to stay relevant with younger audiences and bring in box office money, they can’t afford to ignore nearly a quarter of their revenue,” added Megan Townsend, director of entertainment research and analysis at GLAAD. Most enthusiastic ticket buyers.
In addition to changing the report’s title, which aligns with GLAAD’s “Where We Are in Television” study, the organization also advanced its methodology by assigning a category to characters based on narrative importance rather than screen time. Categories include Lead, Senior Support, Support, and Background. GLAAD has also ditched the rating system, which it previously used while calling it the Studio Responsibility Index.
The full report can be found on the GLAAD website.
