A recent report revealed a slight increase in the representation of characters with disabilities in movies in 2024. However, experts and advocates argue that the quantity and quality of this representation still fall short.
In 2024, 20 out of the top 100 highest-grossing films featured main or co-main characters with disabilities, as per the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. This marked a significant rise from eight films in 2023 and ten in 2015 portraying characters with noticeable physical, cognitive, or communicative disabilities.
Despite this improvement, the overall data for 2024 remains concerning. Only 2.4% of speaking or named characters in the top 100 films had a disability, mirroring the rate from 2015. Stacy Smith, the report author, noted that this progress in leading characters may not continue into 2025 due to the lack of authentic inclusion efforts.
Sean Towgood, a Canadian writer and actor with cerebral palsy, finds the findings disheartening but not unexpected. He believes that the industry often treats disability representation as a checkbox instead of a continuous commitment. Some producers may perceive hiring actors needing accommodations as costly and logistically challenging, creating barriers to authentic representation.
Jim LeBrecht, co-director of the Oscar-nominated film “Crip Camp,” emphasizes the value of accessibility on sets, which can benefit all crew members. However, the industry’s reluctance to embrace diverse stories and castings limits the portrayal of disability narratives on screen.
The report highlights films such as “Madame Web,” “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” and “The Brutalist” featuring characters with disabilities. Nonetheless, the focus on characters rather than actors raises concerns about genuine representation. Ariel Simms, from Disability Belongs, points out that over 95% of characters with disabilities are played by able-bodied actors, leading to stereotypical portrayals.
To improve representation, Simms advocates for hiring people with disabilities both on and off-screen. Collaborating with productions like Marvel’s “Eternals” and NBC’s “New Amsterdam” can ensure authentic portrayal and prevent perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
Towgood stresses the importance of taking risks on disability-related stories, citing the success of films like “Coda” at the Oscars. He believes there is a growing audience interest in disabled narratives that should be met with more opportunities in the industry.