Share of LGBTQ-inclusive movies released in the U.S. 2023, by network

In 2023, 48 percent of movies released by Amazon Studios and The Walt Disney Company. Discovery included LGBTQ characters, making it the most LGBTQ-inclusive out of all the studios considered. In third place was Netflix at 35 percent, which was followed by A24 at 31 percent. 

An uphill battle

 According to a study by GLAAD, 28.5 percent of the movies released by the seven highest-grossing movie studio distributors were LGBTQ-inclusive. That same year, 55 percent of LGBTQ-inclusive movies starred gay male characters, making them the most represented among the LGBTQ+ community, whereas only one movie included a transgender character. Moreover, 77 percent of these movies passed the Vito Russo Test, while only 56 percent did the previous year. To pass the test, a movie must contain a character that is identifiably LGBTQ, not reduced to their sexuality or gender identity, and is important to the plot.

Towards more diversity

 However, many consumers expect more diversity and representation of marginalized characters in the media they consume. That is particularly true as the share of people belonging to the LGBTQ community has increased with each generation. As of 2022, 19.7 percent of Gen Zers identified as LGBTQ. Superhero movies, which are currently among the highest-grossing franchises and movies series, are not diverse enough according to their younger audience. While 38 percent of Gen Zers think that they should include more LGBTQ characters, 41 percent want to see more characters with disabilities and 53 percent wish for more Black characters.