Audiences are often quick to pounce on The Academy when its nominees lack diversity, but Oscar voting members are limited to primarily studio output, where measurable diversity in the director’s chair has been stagnant, year, after year, after year. And looking out to 2024, it seems that little is likely to change. Of the roughly 290 studio films on the calendar through 2024, as of today, just 25 of them are or will be directed by people of color. That’s just over eight percent, even though people of color as a group make up half of the U.S. population.
There is still plenty of room for growth on this list, especially as the 2022 festival season continues throughout the year, offering readymade features for smart studios looking for fresh talent. There are also a handful of currently untitled films on the 2024 calendar — typically movies that are planned, but have yet to be packaged — so it’s possible that the 2024 picture will change as directors are slotted for each one. Here is the list of major studio films directed by filmmakers of color set for release throughout the rest of 2022, into 2023, and 2024. We will update as new films are added to (and sometimes removed from) various slates. As of this writing, there are 24 films directed or co-directed by filmmakers of color in the studio offing. Unless otherwise specified, release dates pertain to traditional theatrical distribution. This article was first published on February 17, 2022 and was last updated on June 1, 2022. Universal/screenshot
Paramount
“Transformers: Rise of the Beasts,” directed by Steven Caple Jr., June 9, 2023
Sony Pictures Entertainment
“Umma,” directed by Iris K. Skim, March 18, 2022 “The Woman King,” directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, September 16, 2022 Untitled “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” Sequel, co-directed by Kemp Powers (with Joaquim Dos Santos and Justin K. Thompson), October 7, 2022 “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” directed by Kasi Lemmons, December 21, 2022 Untitled George Foreman Biopic, directed by George Tillman Jr., April 7, 2023
Twentieth Century Studios and Searchlight Pictures
“Fire Island,” directed by Andrew Ahn, June 3, 2023 (Hulu only) “Flamin’ Hot,” directed by Eva Longoria, TBD 2023 Pixar
Universal Pictures/Focus Features
“Nope,” directed by Jordan Peele, July 22, 2022 “Easter Sunday,” directed by Jay Chandrasekhar, August 5, 2022 “Honk for Jesus, Save Your Soul,” directed by Adamma Ebo, September 2, 2022 (also streaming on Peacock) “Knock at the Cabin,” directed by M. Night Shyamalan, February 3, 2023
Walt Disney Pictures/Buena Vista
“Turning Red,” directed by Domee She, March 11, 2022 (Disney+ only) “Thor: Love and Thunder,” directed by Taika Waititi, July 8, 2022 “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” directed by Ryan Coogler, November 11, 2022 “The Marvels,” directed by Nia DaCosta, July 28, 2023 Warner Bros.
Warner Bros.
“Black Adam,” directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, October 21, 2022 “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” directed by James Wan, December 16, 2022 “Last Train to New York,” directed by Timo Tjahjanto, April 21, 2023 “The Flash,” directed by Andy Muschietti, June 23, 2023 “Blue Beetle,” directed by Angel Manuel Soto, August 18, 2023 “The Color Purple,” directed by Blitz Bazawule, December 20, 2023 “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim,” directed by Kenji Kamiyama, April 12, 2024 “Batgirl,” directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, TBD Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.
