Greta Gerwig's "Barbie" topped the 2023 box office, but a harsh reality persists: women are still woefully underrepresented behind Hollywood cameras. Two major studies reveal a stark disconnect between box office success and behind-the-scenes inclusion.

USC's Annenberg report calls studio pledges "performative acts," highlighting the stagnant 12.1% female director representation in the top 100 films of 2023. This number has barely budged since 2018, despite critical acclaim for films like "Saltburn" and "Priscilla."

San Diego State's report paints a similar picture, with women comprising only 22% of key behind-the-camera roles across all films. A staggering 75% of top-grossing films employed 10 or more men in key roles, compared to just 4% for women.

"Greta Gerwig's triumph belies the pervasive inequality," says Dr. Martha Lauzen, the report's author.

The USC report also reveals stagnation in racial and ethnic diversity. Director numbers from underrepresented groups remained at 22.4%, with only four women of color directing top-grossing films.

"One film isn't enough," conclude the USC researchers. "Until studios change their decision-making, optimism is unwarranted."

Hollywood's top films may boast female leads, yet the real power behind the camera remains stubbornly male. While women's stories fill screens, true box office queens are scarce, suggesting execution and relatability holds the key to equality and not audiences.